SYRCL's Wild & Scenic Film Festival Posts Record Year -
Ticket Sales, Attendance and Filmmakers’ Praise All Increase in 2010

Nevada City, CA – In the weeks since the conclusion of the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival in Nevada City on January 15-17, 2010, staff and volunteers have been diligently putting the festival “back on the shelves” and taking stock of one of the most successful festivals for the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL).  The presenting sponsor for the event was AJA Video Systems, based in nearby Grass Valley, CA.

“By nearly every measure, this year’s Wild & Scenic festival was a crowning achievement,” states Jason Rainey, SYRCL Executive Director.  “We had great production quality throughout the weekend program, packed venues for the filmmakers, and an expanding community of supporters who helped us reach our strongest ticket sales and sponsorship in the 8 years that SYRCL has put on this show.  As always, there were far too many exciting happenings to catch them all!”

Once again, the 8th annual Wild & Scenic weekend included three days of films, over a dozen workshops, networking events, and social receptions.  Several new elements were added this year, including a live-stream festival media lounge organized by the See Jane Do multi-media program, special events and exhibits at the APPLE Center for Sustainability, and Native American environmental justice retrospective of film, music, radio and live performance that was co-produced by the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe.  

The Wild & Scenic Festival has been under the direction of Kathy Dotson since SYRCL founded the event in 2003.  The event was Dotson’s last as Film Festival Director, and she received accolades and applause from hundreds of film goers stage at during the Awards Ceremony.  After the event, Dotson shared what has made the event such a success and so rewarding for her.  

"Wild & Scenic truly demonstrates that a grassroots effort can turn into a world class event. Our community once again came together to produce an event that reaches thousands, and it is my hope that people will now take the festival's stories, lessons, and inspiration to help make our world a better place. My favorite quote from the weekend came from No Impact Man, Colin Beavan: 'The question is not whether you can make a difference. The question is whether you want to be the type of person who tries to make a difference.'

"Thanks to the hundreds who work countless hours on this event ... we are so fortunate to have a team and community of brilliantly passionate folks dedicated to creating more than just a celebration ... but an event that truly leaves a lasting inspirational impression. Thanks team and thank you Nevada County!"

SYRCL is recruiting for a new Wild & Scenic Program Director.  The position description and application timeline and procedure can be found online at www.yubariver.org or by clicking here.

During the Awards Ceremony, special guest of the festival Patrick Stewart, presented the Most Inspiring Adventure Film to free-solo climber Alex Honnold, who is featured in the film First Ascent: Alone on the Wall and accepted the award on behalf of filmmakers  Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen. Scroll down to see complete award list.

Some of the most compelling films of the 2010 Wild & Scenic line up have been selected for the Wild & Scenic “On Tour” program.  The touring program aims to air at approximately 90 venues throughout North America through the 2010 season.  The program is designed to both promote the films and filmmakers featured at Wild & Scenic, and also serve as a membership-recruitment vehicle for other grassroots environmental organizations.  The Wild & Scenic Tour is a partnership between SYRCL, a network of organizations, and the Environmental Grants Program of Patagonia, Inc. Interested community groups can learn more about the Tour at www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org or contact Tour Manager Susie Sutphin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Other Updates:

For those living proximate to Nevada City, the SYRCL film library includes many of the films from the past Wild & Scenic festivals available for check-out.  This service is free for SYRCL Members—the film library is located at SYRCL’s office at 216 Main Street, Nevada City.  Membership can be obtained or renewed online at www.yubariver.org, or by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The 2010 Festival Program is still posted on-line at www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org.  Want to make sure the 2011 Festival is as vibrant as the past festival?  Remind yourself of the many sponsors that make this event possible—and take an opportunity to thank them for supporting SYRCL and the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival.