If you enjoy seeing stories of adventure and diverse perspectives through the lens of talented creators, these film festivals should be right up your alley. Whether you’re attending a flagship event or binge-watching the weekend away, we know these creators will inspire you to connect with the natural world like never before.
Would you rather tune in from the comfort of your own home? Learn how you can stream the selections from your favorite festivals through the links below.
Can’t wait for the next festival? Catch some of our favorite flicks from these talented Sawyer Squad creators.
Blackwaters (Sponsored by Sawyer!) on Outside+
Blackwaters encompasses the power of five Black men on a journey in the Gates Of The Arctic Circle National Park. We're proud to have the incredible creative behind the project, Chad Brown, and several subjects of the film including and Corey Anderson on the team as Sawyer Ambassadors.
Read more on the Sawyer Blog: The Power of Vulnerability: An Interview with Chad Brown
Into the Paramo (Sponsored by Sawyer!) on YouTube
If there’s one thing Kendra learned from her six days in the Andes mountains, it’s to expect the unexpected. Follow along with the twists and turns Colombia had to throw at her in this epically gorgeous chronicle of the trek.
Read more on the Sawyer Blog: Hiking Through the Andes: Exploring Colombia’s Paramo Ecosystem
Elevated (Sponsored by Sawyer!) on YouTube
Deaf climber Sonya Wilson overcame discrimination, isolation, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles as a child to become the woman she is today—a force of nature changing the face of the climbing world. Knowing communication is key to her sport, she has created ways for deaf climbers in her community to find each other and spend time together in the outdoors, leaving ableism and expectations behind.
Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Flagship Event: February 15 - 19 Nevada City, CA
Mission: “Transforming Film-Goers into Activists.”
Story: The Wild and Scenic Film Festival began inspiring activism through art over 20 years ago. Annually, it engages the global community in grassroots environmental causes - but it also accomplishes a staggering impact close to home. The WSFF is the largest annual fundraiser for the South Yuba River Citizens League, dedicated to raising funds and awareness to protect the Yuba River watershed and recover California’s wild salmon population.
What We’re Watching:
6,000 Miles (sponsored by Sawyer!)
No Man’s Land Film Festival
Flagship Event: March 8 - 9 Denver, CO
Goal: “To connect like-minded individuals who are action-oriented, wish to support a shared vision of gender equality, have a desire to experience their passions and environments through a uniquely feminine lens, and above all, love adventure.”
Story: Since 2015, No Man’s Land has been un-defining what femininity looks like in adventure sports, conservation, and film. Their vast team of women and genderqueer contributors share diverse stories of what embracing their unique perspectives, passions, or challenges looks like in pursuit of the radical. NMLFF’s commitment to intersectionality is at the heart of its mission, and this shines through its selections.
Trailblaze
Shy on the Fly
Diagonal
Banff Center Mountain Film Festival
Story: Of the festivals we’re covering, the Banff Center Mountain Film Festival has been around the longest. A flagship program of Banff Center, the film festival has been promoting appreciation and understanding of the mountains of the world since 1976. Their content is focused on finding inspiration in mountain experiences, ideas, and visions through film.
What We’re Watching:
DC Environmental Film Festival
Flagship Event: March 21 - 30 Washington D.C.
Mission: “To advance understanding and stewardship of the environment through the power of film.”
Story: To learn the story behind the DC Environmental Film Festival, we have to go back in time to 1993. Flo Stone was dedicated to bringing ecological issues to the American public. She hoped that coordinating the DCEFF’s first flagship event would inspire people by uplifting the voices of those fighting for the environment and bringing their messages to the big screen. Thirty years later, the festival carries on her mission through a vast network of diverse creatives all dedicated to advocating for the natural world.
What We’re Watching:
An American Ascent (featuring Sawyer ambassador James Edward Mills!)
Cold Comfort: Arctic Communities
October 31, 2024
Katie Houston
Katie AKA Oats is a solo thru-hiker with over 3,000 miles under her belt, making her a passionate conduit for culture, lingo, and other backcountry knowledge. Through her work, she is able to educate audiences on good trail ethics and strive for an outdoor community where everyone feels like they belong. Check out her adventures with Thru the husky on her website and Instagram.
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From the Squad
Campfire conversations with our community, from Squad Members and Ambassadors to Brand Partners and the Sawyer team.
