Get Ready for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival!
When:
Friday, November 15 | 7-9 PM
Saturday, November 16 | 2-4 PM
Where: Collinsville Town Hall Auditorium, 4 Market Street, Canton, CT
We’re beyond excited to invite you to our 7th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, where the Farmington River Watershed community comes together for a celebration of our river! After last year's sold-out event, we’re doubling the fun with two days packed with incredible films and festivities!
Film Schedule: Both days will feature different film programs, available as Video-on-Demand for ticket holders from November 15 to 22, ensuring you don’t miss a moment!
Friday Night Fun!
Doors open at 6 PM
River-Themed Film Program: Kick off the weekend with an amazing lineup of environmental river films, featuring special highlights on the Farmington River! Enjoy a raffle with awesome prizes, sip on Brewery Legitimus beer (cash bar), and warm up with hot cider and delicious donuts from The Pickin’ Patch in Avon— $25 per ticket! Hurry, grab yours before they’re gone!
Exciting Raffle Prizes: Win fantastic goodies from Ski Sundown, Canton Main Street, ShopRite of Canton, Little Oak Cafe, LAM Yoga, Wild Hope, Peak Designs, FWA, Hartford Yard Goats, and more!
🎬Feature Film: As part of the Long Island Sound River Restoration Network, we're excited to showcase “Reconnected: Restoring the Rivers of Long Island Sound.” This mini-documentary explores the incredible journey of river restoration and stream barrier removal.
Saturday Matinée Magic!
Doors open at 1 PM
Wild Child Film Program: Bring the whole family for a matinée showcasing a captivating wildlife film focused on the Farmington River, along with youth-centered environmental films "Wild Child"! Enjoy activities starting at 1pm with the Little Explorers of CT and FRAA, and of course, indulge in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream—your ticket includes an ice cream voucher! Tickets are just $15-20.
A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Special thanks to the Farmington River Coordinating Committee, the Lower Farmington & Salmon Brook Wild & Scenic Committee, Collinsville Canoe & Kayak, Feldmen, Perlstein & Greene LLC, Farmington River Anglers Association, Murphy, Laudati, Kiel, Rattigan, LLC and Milkweeds for making this event possible!
Join us for an unforgettable weekend of films, fun, and community spirit! We can’t wait to see you there!
Friday Film Program:
1. Flowing – My Dream of More Freedom 4min
The river itself speaks about its dream of flowing wilder and freer again. Dams, weirs, and other obstacles disrupt the natural functioning of rivers and are detrimental to migrating fish, other river wildlife, and ultimately us humans. The good news is that we can change this. Obsolete stone and concrete barriers can be removed, helping river ecosystems bounce back to whole vibrating life!
2. Reconnected: Restoring the Rivers of Long Island Sound 20min
Learn how Save the Sound is working with FRWA and other organizations in the Long Island Sound River Restoration Network to restore the Long Island Sound watershed by restoring the natural flow of the regions rivers. Produced by Reel Quest Films LLC.
3. 6,000 Miles 17min
In 6,000 Miles, Kayla Lopez, a multifaceted artist and river activist, and Steve Evans, the impassioned Wild Rivers Director at CalWild, offer an exciting and educational exploration of California's Wild Rivers, blending expertise and passion to illuminate the essence and threats to our precious waterways. Their journey unfolds a narrative transcending advocacy, revealing the intricate connection and profound significance of preserving wild rivers.
4. Mussel Grabbing 7min
Following a citizen scientist's journey of discovery, the film explores the treasure hunt for freshwater mussels in the upper Sangamon River. Finding a diverse collection of healthy mussels means a healthy river and a healthy community.
5. On, In, & Under the Sava 5min
Armed with a raft, snorkels, and flippers, four friends drift down Slovenia’s Sava River with one mission: find the elusive finned-monsters that dwell in the deep to help protect the river from dams
6. Our River Flows Through Us 6 min
Our River Flows Through Us shows the beauty and connect we have to our Wild & Scenic Rivers. From waterfalls to wildlife, kayaking to hiking, minnows to eagles, explore the Farmington River. Original music "Elmo's Eddy" performed by David Donaldson on acoustic guitar and Marc Shulman on electric guitars, 2nd acoustic guitar, nylon string guitar, tiple and bass. Directed and produced by Rick Warters. Music composed and performed by David Donaldson. Arranged, produced, and performed by Marc Shulman. Mixed and mastered by Larry Saltzman.
7. Gardener to Guardian 13min
Amid collapsing biodiversity worldwide, Mary Reynolds of Ireland is building a movement to turn gardeners into guardians of the planet, by returning our own patch of land to nature and restoring hope that individual action can create lasting change.
8. River Stewards 3min
Meet the 2024 River Steward Team. The Farmington River Coordinating Committee has created the River Steward program, and it is now in its 10 year and bigger than ever!
9. Study Aboard 16min
Every April, 60 college kids from around the country attend Living Lands and Waters’ unique “Alternative Spring Break” program – trading happy hours and beach tans for spending a week on McKellar Lake with founder Chad Pregracke and his inspiring river rat crew as they clean up the Mississippi River’s waterways and learn about river-related careers.
10. Paddle Tribal Waters 9min
When the largest dam removal project in history begins, a group of indigenous youth learns to whitewater kayak, hoping to become the first people to paddle the restored river from source to sea.
Saturday Film Program:
