Three wild and scenic films to catch virtually on November 14
The 2021 Wild and Scenic Film Festival is coming to the Midcoast on November 14, 2021. Midcoast Conservancy and Coastal Mountains Land Trust are hosting this live, virtual event to screen eight films that cover a broad range of topics and address issues from climate change to rare birds and orchids to finding common ground among tribes, ranchers, and government agencies.
For nature lovers and environmental activists alike, this festival, which is a fundraiser for the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), is typically held in California, but, like many festivals responding to the continuing pandemic, the Wild and Scenic Festival has gone completely virtual.
Three not-to-miss films that members of the film festival committee have chosen to highlight include:
24 Leeches
One part family adventure, one part environmental film, 24 Leeches is a tribute to a father’s best friend and adventure partner, his 10-year-old son. This film documents a family canoe adventure to the Slate Islands of Ontario, Canada and more importantly a way of life.
"It was a real joy to watch ‘24 Leeches’ with my young son,” said Jennifer Albee, Wild & Scenic Committee Member, and Employee-Owner at Revision Energy. “It brought smiles to our faces and reminded us how time spent outside opens both eyes and hearts. Watching children engage with nature showed how important it is to take care of our environment, and that our relationships with each other are made stronger when we explore and play outdoors.
Ali Stevenson of Midcoast Conservancy, also found this film to be a standout. “ ‘24 Leeches’ is a stunning visual reminder of how we thrive when the natural world is our only reference point,” she said. “Its wonder, seen through the eyes of children, is a mesmerizing respite from busyness—and a call to step away more often. I'm ready to throw my canoe on the roof rack and head north!”
Feathers in Flight: Bird Genoscape
Biologist Mary Whitfield has spent two decades studying one of North America’s rarest birds: the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher.
“ ‘Feathers in Flight’ shares the inspirational story of people thousands of miles away from each other joining efforts to utilize genomic sequencing to better understand bird migration,” said Jackie Stratton, Wild & Scenic Committee Member and owner of Waterways Guiding.
“ ‘Feathers in Flight’ is a sneak-peak into the extensive and inspiring scientific collaboration that is currently taking place to track ever-changing migratory patterns around the world,” added Leah Trommer of Coastal Mountains Land Trust.
Here We Stand
For generations, conservation has been about keeping people from places. Now, Save the Redwoods League and Teresa Baker ask what it would look like for conservation to include all people, even those that normally are in the margins.
“This is the closest you can get to magic, the California Redwood Forest,” said Buck O’Herin, Film Festival Committee member and Board Chair of the Midcoast Conservancy. “We all exist on the same planet, and as a collective, we can save the Redwood Forest as a place of equitable access and inclusive experiences.”
“ ‘Here We Stand’ provides an ample dose of inspiration, while also being a vital reminder of the sheer power of having a diversity of voices at the table when conserving critical and beautiful places,” said Leah Trommer, Coastal Mountains Land Trust.
All of the films will be available to ticket holders for five days after the festival’s premiere from 4 to 6 on November 14. To learn more about Coastal Mountains Land Trust and the film festival, go to https://www.coastalmountains.org To learn more about the films visit: Wild and Scenic Film Festival
