Plumas Arts announces that the Wild and Scenic Film Festival is coming to Quincy for the 16th year Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Town Hall Theatre in Quincy. This event is a one-evening showing of 12 films from the three-day Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival presented by the South Yuba River Citizens League in Nevada City.
Plumas Arts events and program coordinator Jennifer Ready reports that a highlight of the evening is a film called “Rangers of the Ulaan Taiga.” This film features the work of conservationists who dedicate their entire lives to protecting nearly 70 million acres of wild landscape; cultural and historic heirlooms; and endangered animals in the Mongolian National Parks. Despite low salaries and lack of equipment and training, these men and women risk their lives to patrol remote locations for weeks and even months on end.
Over the last year, the International Ranger Federation reported that 149 rangers died on duty. In 2013 the people of the Ulaan Uul valley called upon one of their own, argali sheep biologist and Hovsgol Lake National Park director Tumursukh Jal, to come back and protect their home from social and environmental threats. Together they formed Ulaan Taiga National Park, over a million acres of vital waterways and imposing mountains. This short film documents the compelling dedicated work of the Ulaan Taiga rangers and how they serve not only as stewards of the land, but also as guardians.
Another featured film is “Bear Witness: Subarctic.” Because we see so many images every day, this film asks the question “Can an image still make people care?” “Bear Witness: Subarctic” is a 2022 documentary short film about sea ice loss and its impact on polar bear populations in Canada.
As sea ice shrinks to record lows and polar bears spend more time on land, a photographer sets out to document what increased interactions between bears and people mean for communities living in the North. By following the pursuit of an image that might still stir us to act, we all become witnesses to the consequences of a warming world.
“Punchline” is a hopeful, beautiful, and funny film about Eeland Stribling, a man of many things: fly fisherman, wildlife biologist, Colorado native — and, most notably, avid stand-up comedian. Born and raised in Colorado, Stribling is doing his part by exposing the outdoor world to those who have historically not grown up with it. As a man of color himself, he is redefining what it means to be an outdoorsman in America, and also an advocate for preserving the world’s natural wonders.
The final film Ready highlights is “Eco-Hack!” Biologist Tim Shields has watched Mojave desert tortoise populations plummet since the 1990s. The latest threat? Ballooning raven populations, from increased human activity. Tired of “taking notes on a catastrophe,” Shields exchanges observational biology for direct intervention. Building drones, rovers, laser cannons, and exploding tortoise shells, Tim wages technological war on ravens in a final effort to save the species.
Tickets for the film festival are $15 and can be purchased online at http://www.plumasarts.org, at the Plumas Arts gallery at 525 Main St. in Quincy, or at the box office right before the event if they are not sold out. The festival is hosted by and benefits Plumas Arts; Ready reports that the nonprofit hopes this film festival opportunity will encourage people to act on the behalf of the environment and their community.
The film program starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. and local sponsors will host informational booths outside the theatre starting at 5:45. The event will end at about 9:30 p.m. Drinks, dessert, and popcorn will be available for purchase. A prize giveaway entry is included with ticket purchase. For more information, contact Plumas Arts at (530) 283-3402 and visit https://www.plumasarts.org/wild-and-scenic-film-festival.html.
Information submitted by Plumas Arts
