Multi-film tour showcases river culture & diversity
Now in its fifth year, the Wild Rivers Film Tour celebrates the human connection to clean water and free-flowing rivers with juried films from across the country. From indigenous voices of the Shoshone-Bannock, Nimiipuu, and Navajo/Dine’, to vanguards of the Missoula surf scene, and old-guards of the Grand Canyon dory building industry, the 2021 Wild Rivers Film Tour showcases river culture with diversity and sentiment.
Seven magnificent films carry the audience through 100 minutes of emotional and exhilarating cinema. This year’s selections include: Can’t Beat This Place for Fun, Water Flows Together, Strongwater, A Healing Journey, Rio Rica, KC Badger and River of Return.
Area showings are set for September 7th in Big Sky’s Town Center Park, Sept. 13th at Bodhi Farms just outside Bozeman, and Sept. 16th at Sacajawea Park in Livingston. Doors open at 7pm ahead of the 8pm films.
American Rivers and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition created the Wild Rivers Film Tour to promote the next age of river conservation in Montana and advocate for the passage of the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act.
Sponsored by Senator Jon Tester, the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act would permanently protect 20 of Montana’s most glorious rivers by adding them to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Among the rivers that would gain protection from this made-in-Montana bill are portions of the Boulder, Gallatin, Madison, Smith, Stillwater and Yellowstone. This effort is supported by American Rivers, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and Montanans for Healthy Rivers – a coalition of businesses, private landowners, sportsmen and conservation groups.
“This year’s Wild Rivers Film Tour reveals the depth of indigenous relations to rivers that have existed since time immemoria,” says GYC Montana conservation associate Ryan Cruz. “Stories of hope and perseverance, resilience and resurgence, are balanced with the humor and quirky culture that naturally arises from days that have turned into years spent recreating on rivers,” says American Rivers’ Northern Rockies conservation associate Jessy Stevenson.
Tickets for these events are $10 and may be purchased in advance at www.eventbrite.com (search ‘Wild Rivers Film Tour’). Also available at the door until seats are filled. Find more details at www.facebook.com/WildRiversFilmTour. Additional showings will be held in Red Lodge, Missoula, Polebridge and Kalispell.
Health Note: organizers are committed to hosting a safe, outdoor event. Guests are recommended to sit with only their travel partners and to wear masks when not eating or drinking. Please stay home if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have recently been exposed to someone who has tested positive. Refunds will be available in this instance.
The 2021 Wild Rivers Film Tour is proudly sponsored by numerous local and regional supporters. •
