Wild & Scenic Film Festival

2025 Wild & Scenic Film Fest

The evening will feature a showing of about 90 minutes of inspirational, environmental-themed short films from the Wild and Scenic Film Festival. There will be local organizations present, a raffle, and refreshments available.

To learn more about the festival, visit www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org.

Proceeds from the event fund our work stewarding and monitoring Worcester's wild places.

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LOCATION
Sullivan Auditorium
Worcester State University
486 Chandler Street
Worcester, MA 01602, USA
Click for Directions

ADMISSION
Adults $10
Youth $5
Family: $20
GWLT Members: $8
College Students (with ID): $5

Admission includes 1 FREE Raffle Ticket
(Additional tickets sold on site)

Doors open at 6:30 PM
Films begin at 7:15 PM
Raffle drawn at 9:00 PM

Tabling Organizations:

Appalachian Mountain Club ~ Worcester Chapter
Common Ground Land Trust
Green Hill Park Coalition
Seven Hills Wheelmen
Blackstone Watershed Collaborative

FILM PROGRAM

River Cowboys: Keepin’ it Wild
Laura Gregory (Director/Producer), Mike Wilkinson (Director) | 2024 | 11 min.
This short film showcases the stunning landscapes of the internationally recognized, Red River Gorge, and KY’s only Wild & Scenic Red River. It highlights an ongoing environmental challenge: the removal of scores of discarded tires and trash from Red River (and dumping as a statewide and national issue) and our humble cleanup leader, the original River Cowboy, Russ Miller.
Freya
Natasha Brook | 2023 | 4 min.
Feel inspired by 9 years 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.
Judy’s Creek — Discovering the Secret Life of the Streambed
Jeremy Monroe, David Herasimtschuk (Co-Directors) | 2023 | 5 min.
Follow ecologist, educator, and author, Dr. Judy Li, into the world of caddisflies, the artisans of the aquatic world. With contagious passion, Judy shares how her childhood curiosity led to a career in freshwater science, and how she has found ways to share the joys of science with audiences of all ages.
WILD HOPE: Cougar Crossing
Geoff Luck (Executive Producer), Sarah Arnoff (Co-Exec Producer), Kitty Hu (Post Producer) | 2024 | 14 min.
Los Angeles is well known for its celebrities, so when the fearless cougar P-22 gained fame for making its home in the midst of the city, he inspired an effort to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing and helped spark a national campaign to support crossings and corridors everywhere.
It’s Time
Jason Lindsey (Director + Editor), Scott Krahn (Director), Talia Watkins (Producer), Anna Keck (Sugarmaker), Dave Pettitt (Narrator), The Blackbird 3 (Music) | 2024 | 4 min.
Set in the early spring thaw, “It’s Time” weaves together maple syrup harvesting, Indigenous wisdom, and environmental awareness on the banks of the Sangamon River. Through mesmerizing visuals and flute melodies, this poetic film celebrates ancient traditions while awakening viewers to nature’s delicate balance and our role in preserving it.
Ride to Slide
Greg Cairns (Director), Brett Davis (Talent) | 2023 | 6 min.
A skier takes on a solo multi-week bikepacking and ski mountaineering journey. With a simple change of perspective, it turns out our home range is all we need.
Aldo’s Bug Extravaganza
Neil Losin, Aldo Losin | 2024 | 6 min.
In “Aldo’s Bug Extravaganza,” join 5-year-old Aldo and his dad on a backyard safari filled with tiny wonders and big laughs. Armed with a camera and boundless curiosity, Aldo embarks on a bug-hunting escapade, narrating his discoveries with adorable wit and charm. As the week unfolds, Aldo’s wide-eyed explorations not only capture the audience’s imagination, but also subtly echo the timeless wisdom of Aldo Leopold, making for a delightful and endearing ode to the joy of nature’s smallest marvels.
The Fire Poppy
Sashwa Burrous (Director/DP), Samantha Harmon (Executive Producer), Justin Lewis (Camera Operator), Tessa Giffen (Editor), CLEOD 9 Music (Sound Design) | 2023 | 11 min.
Fire is a natural and necessary part of our ecosystem, though it’s often feared as a threat to our landscapes and communities. “The Fire Poppy” profiles female firefighter Sasha Berleman and her enduring relationship with fire. The short film delves into her evolving perspective, from seeing fire as a threat to developing a deep interest in it, and eventually recognizing fire as a valuable tool to heal and protect.
Friends of the Frogpool Lane
David Herasimtschuk, Jeremy Monroe | 2024 | 7 min.
Follow a group of vigilante crossing guards as they help frogs and salamanders navigate a busy road through a rainy Spring night, so these driven amphibians can arrive safely to the unique wetland that is critical for their life cycle.
Wingspan
Matthew Fabiano (Producer, Director, Editor) | 2024 | 10 min.
Over the past six years, wildlife and conservation photographer Joshua Asel has climbed the peaks of Pinnacles National Park countless times to document the critically endangered California condor population that calls this stunning mountain range home. Wingspan follows Joshua on one of his expeditions and explores the vital role photography plays in creating awe and awareness for these incredible animals.
Eyes on the Forest
Wildlife Works (Producer), Leo Plunkett (Cinematographer), Fathima Gaston (Producer) | 2024 | 4 min.
In the Congo Basin, a team of former poachers turned conservationists embarks on a mission to recover and replace camera traps. These vital tools track endangered species like bonobos, pangolins, and forest elephants, providing crucial data to monitor poaching and safeguard the region’s biodiversity in its wildlife-rich yet threatened ecosystems.
Yuba Salmon Dance
Michael E. Wier | 2023 | 2 min.
Yuba Salmon Dance is a captivating short film that follows the incredible journey of Chinook salmon as they return to the Yuba River to spawn. The film captures the resilience and determination of these majestic fish who have navigated obstacles, both natural and man-made, to reach the place of their birth. Through breathtaking drone and underwater footage, we get an intimate and up-close-up look at the spawning grounds. This is the final dance for these fish as they select a mate, preform the spawning rituals, and lay their eggs and milk. After the dance is complete the Salmon will die and give their bodies and nutrients back to the river ecosystem. Salmon are one of the most giving species on earth and the greatest purveyor of ocean nutrients to the inland environment.
Unseen Peaks
Roo Smith (Director) | 2024 | 7 min.
Unseen Peaks follows Addie, a blind athlete who seeks freedom and belonging in the outdoor community through skiing, ice climbing, and rock climbing. Amidst breathtaking landscapes and personal challenges, Addie redefines perceptions of disability and resilience. Directed, produced, filmed, and edited by filmmaker Roo Smith, the film highlights the transformative power of adventure and advocates for inclusivity in the outdoors.
Mother River
Jeremiah Schuster (Director, DP, Editor), Alexander Martin (Cam Op), Daniel Tyler ( Cam Op) | 2024 | 6 min.
After pursuing and achieving corporate America career goals on the East Coast, Devin realized that life was not for her. Her childhood roots in paddling and connecting to nature brought her to Minnesota where she would pursue her dream to become the first black female to kayak the entire Mississippi river. Devin has overcome many complexities in pursuit of this dream, including the harsh realities of being a minority in the paddling community and the nuances of being a single Mother. The challenges continue as Devin listens to the river and follows her guidance.
One Inch from Flying
Taylor Humphrey (Director), Jim Aikman (Producer & Co-Director) | 2024 | 3 min.
A young climber grapples with the complexity of modern life, and celebrates the sense of balance he gets from walking highlines while rigging and walking an alpine highline in Washington’s North Cascades.

SPONSORS:

Wachusett Mountain