The Wild & Scenic Film Festival & Auction will come to Danville, for the first time hosted by the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA),on December 3 at the Pritchett Auditorium at Averett University. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and shows will begin at 7 p.m.
The film festival and auction is a collection of 12 short award-winning films from the national festival held the third week of January in Nevada City, Calif. The films celebrate our planet, inspire, make you laugh and teach you something new.
There will also be a silent and live auction of one-of-a-kind items made from nature, inspired by nature or upcycled/recycled created by North Carolina and Virginia artists and hobbyists. Furniture, nature experiences, jewelry, pottery, fine art, textiles and a lot more will be auctioned at the event.
Tickets are on sale for $15 online or at the local DRBA office, and include viewing of all 12 films, a bidding number to participate in the auction, and an assortment of “movie snacks” locally sourced from within the Dan River Basin. Guests will enjoy homemade nachos with locally made cheese, a trail mix bar of local candy, nuts and fruits, popcorn with a creative toppings bar, and various other treats made in our region. Two Witches Brewery will be serving wine and beer.
Local premiere sponsors include Averett University, Jones/DeShon Orthodontics and Primland Resort. National partners include Patagonia, CLIF Bar, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Orion Magazine, Klean Kanteen, Earthjustice, and Barefoot Wine & Bubbly.
“We are thrilled to be a premiere sponsor of this event,” said David Jones of Jones/DeShon Orthodonics located in Martinsville, Stuart and Danville. “We have been committed to DRBA’s mission for over a decade and are dedicated to supporting environmental education for kids throughout our region.”
Guests can get a sneak-peak of film trailers and auction items at danriver.org. Stories about hope, courage and changing the world for the better are just a few of the film topics.
“Primland is honored and excited to be a partner with the Dan River Basin Association and sponsor the Wild & Scenic Film Festival & Auction,” said Steve Helms, vice president of Primland Resort. “Primland and the Primat family have owned property near the headwaters of Dan River since the late 1970’s and endorse and encourage events that bring awareness and tourism to our region. We appreciate all the efforts to maintain the beautiful scenic areas along the river and this part of Virginia. We look forward to a successful event.”
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival was started by the watershed advocacy group, the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) in 2003. The festival’s namesake is in celebration of SYRCL’s landmark victory to receive “Wild & Scenic” status for 39 miles of the South Yuba River in 1999.
“Films featured at Wild & Scenic give people a sense of place,” says Tour Associate Director Amelia Workman. “In today’s busy world, it is easy to disconnect from our role in the global ecosystem. When we realize that the change we need in this world begins with us, we start making a difference. Come get inspired!”
The mission of the Dan River Basin Association is to promote and protect the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River basin through education, recreation, and stewardship. DRBA works to fulfill that mission by building river accesses and trails, educating people of all ages about protecting natural resources, and protecting water resources through water quality monitoring efforts. The Dan River basin is 3,300 square miles including sixteen counties throughout Virginia and North Carolina.
“This event is a natural extension of DRBA’s work to inspire people to act on behalf of the environment,” said Tiffany Haworth of DRBA. “We are so excited to be able to host this national film festival for the first time in our region. It truly will be a night to remember.”
Tickets can be purchased at danriver.org or at any DRBA office.
To learn more about DRBA and how you can protect our natural and cultural resources, visit www.danriver.org.
