CINCINNATI -- The Ohio River Foundation is hoping to open minds in the Greater Cincinnati area one film at a time. The foundation is hosting its second Wild & Scenic Film Festival, which will feature short documentaries that tackle current issues regarding the environment.
The festival stems from the original Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, California. The five-day event is considered one of the largest film festivals in North America. Last year, organizers rolled out the festival to 170 cities worldwide, including here in Cincinnati.
This year's local version will take place Friday at the Woodward Theater and will showcase 10 short documentaries that cover a range of topics from sustainable agriculture and bird migration to light pollution and fracking.
The Ohio River Foundation selected these 10 films out of 200 from the national festival roster. But it's not all "doom and gloom," according to festival organizer and lead river explorer educator Sara Luse. Some will showcase adventure and female empowerment in the outdoors industry.
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"I really want people to leave the festival feeling inspired and motivated to go do something good for the planet," Luse said. "I don't want people leaving the festival thinking we're all doomed. Hopefully it will inspire someone to make a change in their everyday life. Maybe someone who didn't recycle might start, for instance."
The Ohio River Foundation started in 2000 with a mission to protect and restore water quality in the region. Luse, who has been with the foundation since 2008, leads programs that teach children how to scientifically determine if water streams are healthy and how to conserve water and its ecological systems.
The foundation sought to bring this festival to Cincinnati to help bring awareness to their cause.
"Our main goal is to inspire activism and to increase a better community understanding of the connection we share with the planet and our role to keep it healthy," Luse said.
The foundation is expecting a turnout of 150-200 people for this year's film festival at the Woodward Theater so look into purchasing your tickets ahead of time. The event begins with a reception at 6 p.m. Each film ranges in length from 3 to 25 minutes.
Click herefor more information about the event or to purchase tickets.
If You Go...
Date: Friday, June 8, 2018
Time: 6 p.m. reception; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. screenings run with one intermission
Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 day of eventhttps://www.ohioriverfdn.org.
