Make a Film… Make a Difference.
2027 Film Submissions Open 5/12/2026
Film Submissions
Wild & Scenic features environmental and adventure films from around the world that illustrate the earth’s beauty, the challenges facing our planet, and the work communities do to protect the environment. We welcome documentary and narrative shorts, features about nature, community activism, intentional adventure, conservation, health, water, energy, climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, food, and farming. We realize climate stories are shifting and so are we. Submit your film, whatever form your story takes.
For its 25th anniversary edition, SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival has selected Momentum as its guiding theme, a word that captures both the spirit of the environmental movements the festival has championed for a quarter century and the forward force of the festival itself. “Momentum” recognizes that meaningful change is cumulative, built from years of collective action that compound over time into something lasting.
“Momentum as a theme is a tip of the cap to the 25 years of Wild & Scenic status we celebrated last year of protection for the Yuba River Watershed. In turning a quarter century this year, Wild & Scenic Film Festival—born from the same unstoppable community activism—is not just about watching films; it’s about celebrating that teamwork and building Momentum through film for 25 more years of this unique festival experience. It serves as reminder that, as a Waterkeeper Alliance member, we are building a living legacy of grassroots action, and as a film festival we are a place for needed stories to be told.”
— Michael Huth: Festival Director
SUBMISSION OPEN 5/12/2026!
ABOUT OUR MAIN CATEGORIES
Environmental Films
Wild & Scenic accepts all films with an environmental theme, including documentaries, animation, shorts, features, and narratives. We look for environmental films that are entertaining, educational, and, above all, inspirational. We want our audiences to be inspired to make a difference in their communities and the world.
Adventure Films
Wild & Scenic screens entertaining and inspiring adventure films from all over the world. Topics include climbing, mountaineering, surfing, and more. A particular preference is given to adventure films with an environmental focus.
Student Films
Are you a student filmmaker? We encourage you to submit your student environmental and adventure films. We accept documentaries, animation, kids’ films, shorts, and music videos. Films should be informative, engaging, and inspiring. An enrolled student at any level of education must have completed the project.
Family-Friendly Films
Films in this category will be particularly considered to be featured in Wild & Scenic’s K-12 School Programs and Kids’ Sessions at the film festival.
ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
We cannot fulfill our mission of uniting the community to heal the earth without seeing the intersection of social justice with the environmental movement. We must invite and include all voices if we want a better planet. Please read our Statement of Inclusion about our commitment to diverse programming and a welcoming experience for festival-goers.
