Wild & Scenic Film Festival Returns to Walla Walla, Bringing Stories of Rivers, Farms and Hope

WALLA WALLA - This fall, residents of eastern Washington and Oregon will have a chance to visit remote rivers, wild landscapes, working farms, and novel restoration projects-without ever leaving town.

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is returning to Walla Walla for two special evenings on October 28 and 29 at Whitman College's newly renovated Deshler Auditorium (formerly known as Maxey Auditorium), offering audiences a series of award-winning films that celebrate the natural world while highlighting the people working to protect it.

The festival first came to Walla Walla in 2015 through the Blue Mountain Land Trust. Now, after several years' hiatus, Roots of Resilience and Tri-State Steelheaders are reviving the event, bringing international stories of conservation and stewardship back to a community where the connection between people and the land runs deep.

Submitted photo

Local teachers participate in an education class sponsored by TriState Steelheaders on the Walla Walla River.

"This festival is really about connecting people to the landscapes and waterways we depend on," according to the organizers. "It's about inspiring action by showing what's possible."

The two-night event will feature a different theme each evening. On Wednesday, October 28, films will focus on agriculture, habitat restoration, and stewardship of working lands. The following night shifts attention to salmon, river systems, aquatic species and efforts to restore and protect healthy waterways.

While the stories come from around the world, many of the challenges and solutions explored onscreen resonate with issues facing the Walla Walla Valley today. At a time when environmental headlines can often feel discouraging, organizers hope the films offer something different: stories of resilience, innovation, and communities coming together to solve problems.

The festival also serves as a fundraiser for the two sponsoring organizations. Proceeds help support local education programs, scientific research, conservation advocacy, and hands-on restoration projects throughout the region.

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival began in California in 2003 following a successful effort to secure Wild & Scenic River designation for a stretch of the South Yuba River. Since then, it has grown into one of the nation's premier environmental film festivals, featuring more than 150 films annually and touring communities around the world.

Whether attendees are avid outdoor enthusiasts, conservation advocates, film lovers, or simply looking for an inspiring evening with family and friends, the festival organizers say "there is something for everyone."

Festival Details

When: Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 28-29, 2026

Where: Deshler Auditorium (formerly Maxey Auditorium), Whitman College, Walla Walla

Doors Open: 6:30 p.m.

Films Begin: 7 p.m.

Tickets:

$20 for one night, including five days of online access to featured films

$35 for both nights, including five days of online access

$35 for online-only access

Tickets are available online and at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. each evening. For tickets, film trailers and additional information, visit the Tri-State Steelheaders website (tristatesteelheaders.com) or contact Brian Burns at 509-529-3543, ext. 1.