SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival to feature Family-Friendly programming  

From February 13-17, SYRCL’s 23rd annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival will feature programming suitable for all members of the family, young and old. The 2025 fest offers several family-friendly film programs, educational hands-on workshops, an art exhibition, virtual reality experiences, an EnviroFair, and a scavenger hunt. 

On the morning of Saturday, February 15th, the beloved family-friendly film session “Wild Child” returns to the Del Oro Theatre in Grass Valley. This hour and a half session features five heartwarming and engaging films, such as the short Freya which follows 9-year-old Freya who shares how she uses climbing as a practice to lean into discomfort and fear to help her navigate her neurodiversity. The strength she gains through both are applicable and inspirational to us all. Another film, Cactus Hotel, tells entertaining stories about an old Saguaro cactus with its wild tourists, quirky residential communities, and long-term tenants who manage to make this prickly fortress their home.   Individual tickets for this event can be purchased for $20.

“If you’re seeking a fun and engaging way to introduce your family to the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, the family-friendly Wild Child session is the perfect choice! This collection of inspiring films is designed for all ages, offering powerful stories that connect viewers to nature, environmental issues, and outdoor adventure. I believe it’s essential to offer young people meaningful opportunities to connect with the world around them through film, fostering a sense of environmental awareness and inspiring future activism.” says Monique Streit, SYRCL’s Education Director. 

Another exciting experience for the whole family will be the return of the Virtual Reality Lounge to the KVMR Community Room on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th. This year, Wildlife Protection Solutions will be presenting their WildXR virtual experience, full of captivating and engaging wildlife footage that will have you up close and personal with wildlife from around the globe in ways you’ve never experienced before. Best of all, this experience doesn’t require a ticket!   

There will also be family-focused, hands-on workshops offered during the festival. For example, on Saturday, February 15^th, young people will have the opportunity to create their own stop motion short film and debut them to an audience.

Speaking of art, throughout the festival, attendees are encouraged to experience the “Big Fly Big Fish” exhibition, a collection of art assemblages by artist and angler Kevin Byrd. It’s the combination of two life-long pursuits: art-making and fly-fishing.  

Byrd’s art pieces, which will be on display at various storefronts and venues throughout Nevada City and Grass Valley, explore traditional fly tying techniques at an exaggerated scale by using large fish hooks typically found in deep-sea shark fishing. Household items – zip ties, USB cables, speaker wires, plastic broom bristles – are repurposed as raw material, reimagined into artistic lures.  

Finally, families shouldn’t forget to explore the EnviroFair on Pine Street in Nevada City. SYRCL is proud to work with many outstanding organizations devoted to protecting the earth and its inhabitants and creating sustainability for all. The annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival EnviroFair takes place Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th in downtown Nevada City and gives a platform for these crucial organizations to showcase their work and inform festival attendees about how they can engage in positive action in a meaningful way. Be sure to stop by the booth for Earthjustice and take part in their scavenger hunt. Everyone who completes the scavenger hunt will be entered to win a prize!  

Passes and tickets are still available now!