By: Ashlyn Rhodes

This January marks the return of the thirteenth annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival. Each year the festival put on by the South Yuba River Citizens League celebrates the beauty of wilderness and those that strive to preserve nature. The local festival is now the largest of its kind, with nine venues showing films in Nevada City and Grass Valley from Thursday, January fifteenth to Sunday the eighteenth. Festival Director Melinda Booth says an event of this magnitude doesn’t happen without a lot of help.

Click here to listen to Melinda Booth

There are plenty of activities happening outside the theater, too– from activism workshops to art showings to a block party in downtown Nevada City. A school program and special screenings for children help younger generations get involved too. The theme for this year’s festival is A Wild Life and the films honor wildlife as well as those who work to protect it. Booth says the festival isn’t just for nature enthusiasts– it does the local economy good too.

Click here to listen to Melinda Booth

For show times and ticket prices and sales, or to sign up to volunteer, you can go online to Wild and Scenic Film Festival dot O-R-G. For information about the festival, you can also call 265-5961.