Merced River Fest returns to the Grove House on Saturday, April 19 for an evening of celebration and volunteer-raising!
The Upper Merced River Watershed Council is proud to host its third annual event featuring the Wild and Scenic Film Festival. This year's theme—FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS—looks to inspire nature passions of all ages—including this world’s future decision-makers, our YOUTH! The film festival, friend-raiser, and fundraiser combines a series of award-winning environmental and adventure films with the energy of local activism and community stewardship.
FIRST EVER Mariposa YOUTH Film Festival from 2-4pm. FREE, featuring our WILD CHILD program with 11 short films for kids of all ages.
Social Hour from 5-6pm
Wild and Scenic Film Festival from 6-9:30pm + silent auction and door prizes. Tickets $30 + Eventbrite fees (includes free link for VIDEO-ON-DEMAND, good for 7 days to re-watch films from April 19-25).
Can’t make it? You can FEST at HOME with the purchase of a VIDEO-ON-DEMAND ticket, which contains the film fest content viewable from April 19th - 25th.
Proceeds benefit the Upper Merced River Watershed Council.
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- A series of inspiring short films from incredible filmmakers, including the award-winning films from the FIRST EVER Mariposa Youth Film Contest!
- Farm-to-table food and craft beer and wine offerings from The Grove House menu
- Silent auction with high quality, local goods and experiences PLUS door prizes
- Award announcement for the Holly Warner Memorial Watershed Steward Scholarship for a graduating Mariposa County High School senior
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2-4pm - Youth film festival featuring a selection of short films created by national youth filmmakers AND MCHS students
5-6pm - Social hour community sharing with the Watershed Council, start of SILENT AUCTION
6-6:15pm - Welcome, speakers + scholarship award
6:30-9:30pm - Wild and Scenic Film Festival (with intermission)
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STUDENTS ON THE RIVER. ”…And the award goes to…” View the four award-winning films created by Mariposa County Youth AND take part in the award ceremony.
“WILD CHILD.” Kids of all ages will enjoy this showing 1-hour showing of 11 inspiring short films either created or inspired by youth.
Metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is a metaphor for the challenges everyone experiences during adolescence. A whimsical look at adolescence through the eyes of four creatures learning to embrace change, patience, and self-acceptance.
Friends of Frogpool Lane. Follow a group of vigilante crossing guards as they help frogs and salamanders navigate a busy road through a rainy Spring night, so these driven amphibians can arrive safely to the unique wetland that is critical for their lifecycle.
Sandcastle. Join a courageous potter wasp on an enthralling journey! Witness this fascinating insect’s tenacity and perseverance as it navigates its dangerous realm teeming with challenges and predators. The secrets of its hidden world are revealed in this short documentary.
Aldo’s Bug Extravaganza. Join 5-year-old Aldo and his dad on a backyard safari filled with tiny wonders and big laughs. Armed with a camera and boundless curiosity, Aldo embarks on a bug-hunting escapade, narrating his discoveries with adorable wit and charm.
Monch! "MONCH!" is a family friendly animated short film that follows a tiny baby orangutan who spies a mango high up in a tall tree.
Three Trees. In a great big forest, the three trees live together on top of a mountain. As the seasons change, the trees discover surprising things in themselves.
Tule. Tule is a poetic 2D animated mixed media short film championing awareness and hope. A young Pomo girl serves as the narrator of our project. Her poetic contemplations ring true with convictions shared by her Pomo community at Clear Lake, California.
Yuba Salmon Dance. Yuba Salmon Dance is a captivating short film that follows the incredible journey of Chinook salmon as they return to the Yuba River to spawn.
Attacks! Once upon a time, there was a marine animal with a beautiful set of teeth. Once upon a time, there was a terrestrial mammal well-equipped with ammunition. Despite each of them possessing a fairly large kingdom, the border between the two was always a site of frequent skirmishes.
Like the Snail. A watercolor animated music video about the importance of knowing when to slow down like a snail and when to speed up like an ostrich, respecting our own things.
Freya. Feel inspired by 9 years old Freya, who shares how she uses climbing as a practice to lean into discomfort and fear to help her navigate her neurodiversity.
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RIVER MAMMA. River Mamma follows Elisha McArthur, a lifelong raft guide on her journey through single motherhood wading through societal expectations. Her now teenage goth daughter, Charlotte, has no interest in rivers at all. It is an intimate portrait of an eclectic family dynamic, teenage angst, and the way that nature can help a mother and daughter reconnect.
DON’T DOUBT THE TROUT. Bernard and Rebecca of the band, Par Avion, are not your average surf rock musicians. They're passionate fly fishing anglers and conservationists who are advocating for the protection of California's endangered Steelhead trout. As ambassadors to CalTrout, they've become observers on the ground to document the health of Southern California's waterways, especially around Malibu's 100-ft Rindge Dam, a major obstacle to wildlife. Thanks to the efforts of CalTrout and advocates like Bernard and Rebecca, the Rindge Dam is due to be removed with demolition work planned to begin 2028 and finish in 2035.
CANYON CHORUS. Join Mikah Meyer, his mentor Larry, and three friends as they journey down Utah's Green River, in Desolation Canyon, on a river rafting trip centered around friendship and joy. Canyon Chorus is a story about being your true self in the outdoors, about advocacy, and about recognizing the important people in our lives.
RIVER COWBOYS: KEEPIN’ IT WILD. This short film showcases the stunning landscapes of the internationally recognized, Red River Gorge, and KY’s only Wild & Scenic Red River. It highlights an ongoing environmental challenge: the removal of scores of discarded tires and trash from Red River (and dumping as a statewide and national issue) and our humble cleanup leader, the original River Cowboy, Russ Miller.
THE GREAT OCEAN CLEANUP. Inventor Boyan Slat is on a mission to rid oceans of plastic. His team at The Ocean Cleanup designs and deploys systems that pull trash from the open ocean — now, he’s stopping the pollution at its source: rivers where plastic is easier to catch, like those in Kingston Harbor.
IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME. Amidst the roar of rapids and the serenity of the Grand Canyon, ABOUT DAMN TIME chronicles the journey of trailblazing boatwomen who, guided by legacy and determination, challenge a male-dominated world, protect sacred rivers, and pass the oars to the next generation. Dories—delicate, hand-crafted wooden boats—are known as the ballerinas of the river. They first danced on the Colorado River in the 1970s, introduced by environmentalist Martin Litton to immerse people in the Grand Canyon’s majesty and rally support against damming and destruction. Today, as the fight over Colorado River rights intensifies, river guides carry on this legacy, advocating for the protection of the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River, and its sacred places.
CYCLING WITHOUT AGE. This is a story about feeling the wind in your hair, no matter where you are on life’s journey. It follows John, a retired teacher who uses pedal-powered rickshaws to bring joy to those who can’t ride themselves. Through shared adventures, the film asks: what is the power of the outdoors for those who are all too often trapped inside? description
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We invite passionate stewards, individuals, organizations or businesses to contribute by sponsoring The Merced River Fest. Your support helps our organization produce this special event for the enjoyment of local audiences and visitors alike, and will help fund our Scholarship Award for graduating high school seniors. To become a sponsor, or to support in other ways, please email Margarita King at gje.margarita@gmail.com.
At all giving levels, sponsors will receive prominent recognition on all creative marketing including our wide-reaching print, press, and social media material. Item description
