Wild & Scenic Film Festival

The 2018 Wild & Scenic Film Festival makes a big impact on Nevada City, but also helps increase awareness of so many important issues, organizations and environmental causes.  The mission of the SYRCL annual film festival is a call to action, whether its environmental, energy uses, adventures, inspiring youth to get involved, improving agriculture or showcasing how one individual can make a difference.  The 16th annual event’s theme was “Groundswell” and included over 130 films at 10 different venues throughout Nevada City & Grass Valley with world premieres featuring food, adventure and conservation.  In addition to the films the event included an art showcase, music, virtual reality lounge, coffee talks, activist workshops, book signings, parties and more.  There really is something for everyone at this event, whether it was listening to a fireside chat, rubbing shoulders with some of the environmental industry leaders or simply sitting and watching a film.  Thank you to SYRCL and the 700 volunteers that help put this event on.  The Outside Inn is a proud sponsor of the event, click here to see the 80 plus other businesses who help make this event possible.  I’ve included a number of photos, including: screenings at Nevada Theater & Miners Foundry, virtual reality lounge at KVMR, Q&A with filmmakers, Robinson Plaza Enviro Fair, fireside chat with Obi Kauffman, activism workshop, Gala party at the Nevada City Winery and more.  Nevada City and Grass Valley embrace the Wild & Scenic Film Festival is so many ways, feel free to post a comment and share your favorite film, speaker or experience.  If you’re on Instagram, tag #VisitNevadaCity to share some of your photos from this weekend.  The Locals Night night at 7pm at the Nevada Theatre is sold out, but remember you can always check out the films from SYRCL if you’re a member.

Festival Winners

Student Filmmaker Award: Rising Tide, Chloe Chin, Kaʻimi Kaleleiki, Alexis Nordblom, Jolene Munch

John de Graaf Environmental Filmmaking Award – Peter Byck

Honorable Mentions: Keepers of the Future, Mothered by Mountains, Imagination: Tom Wallisch

Kids Jury: My Irnik

Kids Jury Honorable Mention – Wild Inheritance

Best Short: A Letter to Congress

Special Jury Prizes:

Tenner of our Times Award: No Man’s Land

Do This Now Award: Wasted

Most Inspiring Adventure Film: Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story

Best Activism Award: Angry Inuk

Best of Theme Award: Water Warriors

Best of Festival: Rodents of Unusual Size

People’s Choice: Redefining Prosperity, The Gold Rushes of Nevada City

© 2018 InnSide Nevada City, Photo © by Erin Thiem and one image by Kial James