Jupiter, FL: Something truly wild and amazing is coming back to Jupiter this April! The third annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival (WSFF), one of the largest environmental film festivals in North America, returns April 8, 2017, from 6:00 PM- 9:30 PM at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum.
“We’ve picked sixteen short films that show how we can individually and as a group be more connected to the earth through our recreation, hard work and thoughtful living,” says Kathleen Glover, JILM Assistant Director and WSFF-Jupiter Coordinator. “People from all walks of life share their experiences, feelings and accomplishments in and around their oceans, lands, and communities in these mesmerizing films. We are proud to join over 150 other museums and organizations presenting these stories that give us a sense of place and what it means to be responsible stewards of the earth.”
Here is a sneak peek at a few of our favorites.
Selah: Water From Stone tells the story of a former fast food chain owner who sells his successful business and devotes his life to restoring a dry, neglected and overgrazed ranch in the Texas hill country. He took the worst piece of property he could find and transformed over 5,000 acres into a lush green paradise preserve. Now with full aquifers and overflowing with natural springs, the land is brought back to life for future generations to enjoy.
Then there is the upbeat look at the not-so-upbeat topic of dead coral. It’s an ecological nightmare, but marine biologists (heroes actually) have come up with a very creative solution. Coral Reef Rescue explores the problem and the accidental discovery that led to a brilliant new idea of accelerating the growth of coral in labs. This discovery is now used to repopulate reefs with healthy coral nurseries. And it’s working! With college and high school students getting involved with coral reef rescues, the future of world-wide coral reefs has hope.
Two young Navajo girls sing songs and call to their long-deceased ancestors to let them know they are arriving into the sacred Arizona canyon that whispers back to them and anchors them to their past. The Canyon de Chelly is alive and echoing with rich traditions and teachings for these young folks, learning to balance modern life with the “Navajo Way.” Canyon Song, our opening film, beautifully reveals the inextricable link between their identity and the land. It has lessons for us all.
“These unique films tell the bigger story of our history, who we are as a people, and our symbiotic relationship with our planet. They are short films that make a big impact on the viewer, inspiring personal action. They encourage us to take time to immerse ourselves in the soothing comfort of nature and learning to love it. We have one home planet and each one of us can see ourselves as the ‘Keepers’,” states Glover.
Film Festival gates open at 6:00 pm with live music of the StratOlites, a bit of DJ music, and a raffle. Snacks, beer and wine will be sold along with those beloved burritos from Burrito Bros and BBQ, who will be preparing meat, chicken and vegetarian options. Film-goers can visit participating local recreational and environmental organizations during the festival and learn how to get involved in the local community helping our planet and the places we love.
The films begin at 7:45 pm and will be shown outdoors on a giant screen at the water’s edge in front of the Lighthouse. Guests should bring a beach or lawn chair; no coolers or pets will be permitted. The wind can be chilly even with warmer temperatures so guests may wish to bring a sweater as well.
The Loxahatchee River Historical Society will also be awarding its third annual Outstanding Stewardship Award, honoring those who have had a significant impact on our community in the areas of heritage and our natural environment.
Tickets are $10 per person, and available online now at www.jupiterlighthouse.org. Additionally, ticket holders purchasing a Lighthouse Membership during the event on April 8th get $10 off their membership fee. Tickets purchased by phone at 561.747.8380 x101 will be held in Will Call only.
National Sponsors for the WSFF are Patagonia, CLIF Bar, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Klean Kanteen, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, KEEN and Orion Magazine. Presenting local sponsors are Best Version Media, The Holtec Center and local event sponsors and partners include Jupiter Courier Newsweekly, Stuart News/TCPalm.com, 97.9 WRMF, 103.1 WIRK, Sunny 107.9, X 102.3, Beatz 96.3, 850WFTL, FoxSports 640AM, Pratt & Whitney, Minuteman Press Jupiter, Florida Sugar Cane League, Burrito Bros and BBQ, Microwgraphics, Whole Foods Market and Tidy Coast Event Services.
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum also like to recognize the following program partners: Bureau of Land Management, Conservation Lands Foundation, Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County and the Tourist Development Council of Palm Beach County.
You can follow our social media updates and sneak peeks on twitter.com/JupiterLH and facebook.com/jupiterinletlighthousemuseum.
As stewards of the dynamic heritage, and sensitive natural systems of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area and the Loxahatchee River region, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum invites you and your family to join us for these amazing films! Visit our web site at www.jupiterlighthouse.org for future programs and updates.