Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

This year’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Los Angeles—a wild success

Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

This post was written by Gabrielle Renteria, 2015 Bookstore Assistant, 2016 Mono Lake Intern, 2016–2018 Project Specialist.

Every March, Mono Lake Committee staff make their annual migration to the southern end of the aqueduct to host the Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Los Angeles. The event serves as a way to connect with members and friends in Los Angeles as well as a fundraiser for the Committee’s Outdoor Education Center programs.

Committee staff with a student volunteer who will be participating in the OEC program this May. Photo by Andrew Youssef.

This year, in an effort to reach more potential members, we switched to two new venues—the Monica Film Center in Santa Monica and the Sierra Madre Playhouse. The showings at both venues were a huge success!

Executive Director Geoff McQuilkin welcomes everyone to the festival in the newly-remodeled Laemmle Film Center. Photo by Andrew Youssef.

In Santa Monica the new venue was a hit—a large screen and cushioned theater seats made enjoying the films easy and comfortable. In Sierra Madre, thanks to a generous donation by our organizing partner Carolyn Dasher, the festival marked the first time the Playhouse had shown a film in over 40 years!

Committee staff with organizing partner Carolyn Dasher in front of the newly-donated film screen at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Photo by Andrew Youssef.

We had a blast connecting with those who attended and are excited to start planning for next year’s event! Your attendance and generous donations help to ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate in the OEC program and we are grateful for your continued support.

Geoff connects with Los Angeles-based members. Photo by Andrew Youssef.

If you are interested in attending next year’s festival or in helping us to spread the word beforehand, please contact Communications Director Arya Degenhardt at (760) 647-6595 x111.