2026 Wild & Scenic Film Festival Lineup

Guardians of the Earth. In Kenya’s wild heart, rangers, Maasai lion guardians, and Samburu women reveal how ancient wisdom and modern conservation unite. Through their courage and traditions, this film shows that protecting wildlife is also protecting culture, land, and the sacred bond between people and the living world. By Sylvie Chantecaille, Cyril Guyot, and The Elephant Way.

The Golden Trout Project is a celebration of California Golden Trout and the incredible partnership of anglers, agencies, and conservationists working together to protect this iconic native trout species. Trout Unlimited, the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and many others work together to restore struggling populations of Golden Trout across 75 stream miles and 7,000 acres of critical headwater habitat in the heart of their native range. By Joshua Duplechian and Trout Unlimited.

Mother River. 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. By Jeremiah Schuster.

In Red Wolf in Time Out, a child narrates the problem in full preteen gossip style while her step-dad animates it in the form of a classroom chalkboard lesson. The Red Wolf faces extinction due to unnecessary human fear and it’s absence has caused an environmental chain reaction. By Dave Russo and Calliope Mary.

In Solar Punk Diaries 1: Solar Punk Farms, Nick & Spencer demonstrate the joy of the regenerative revolution at their farm and climate hub in Guerneville, CA. Their story illustrates the beauty of Solarpunk, an optimistic movement for an ecologically equitable future. By Ashley Barry.

People of Red Mountain: Life Over Lithium. People of Red Mountain (Atsa Koodakuh wyh Nuwu, in Paiute) is a grassroots organization with connections to the Fort McDermitt Paiute, Shoshone and Bannock Tribes. This film demonstrates their fight to protect their ancestral homelands through educating communities and working to sway public opinion by telling their story. By People of Red Mountain and San Diego State University.

A Little Story About Forever unfolds from the POVs of father (Max) and son (Kip) as they attempt to write a book about what forever means. The father feels overwhelmed by all of the threats to forever, like forever chemicals, and calls an unlikely hero – Mark Ruffalo – to ask for help seeing the big picture. By Max Romey.

The Detectorist follows wildlife ecologist Lee Jenkins and his two German Pointers—Neo and pup-in-training Cariad—as they search for elusive otters. Using scent detection to guide camera trap placement, the team gathers crucial evidence to protect these endangered animals. Shot from a dog’s-eye view with immersive cinematography, the film offers a poetic glimpse into conservation through the nose and eyes of a canine detective. By Sarah-Jane Walsh.

Valley Under Fire. When climber and National Park Service employee Nate Vince was fired under controversial circumstances, he staged a protest by hanging an upside-down American flag off Yosemite’s iconic El Capitan, an act that captured national attention. This short documentary tells the story behind that moment and explores Nate’s deep connection to the park, his passion for climbing, and his commitment to protecting public lands and the communities built around them. By Gregory Robinson.