Wild & Scenic Film Festival, where nature, justice, and storytelling collide at Tracy Aviary

On Friday, June 13, 2025, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival returns to Salt Lake City for its fourth year —brought to life through a dynamic collaboration between Outdoor Auntie, Utah Film Center’s Black Bold & Brilliant program, and Tracy Aviary. The festival is a unique way to experience the Tracy Aviary through a short film collection screened outdoors, and a community vendor area during the month-long celebration of Juneteenth. By fostering connections with film enthusiasts, small business vendors, conservationists, and local outdoor recreation affinity groups, we aim to create an inclusive space for a celebration dedicated to supporting Black, Indigenous, People of Color, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ communities thriving in Utah’s vibrant natural landscapes.

The evening kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with early access to the Aviary’s vibrant exhibits — come for the birds, stay for the stories. A community vendor area will showcase local small businesses, outdoor affinity groups, and nonprofits dedicated to equity and environmental advocacy. Guests are welcome to bring outside food, or enjoy meals and drinks from the Bird Feeder Cafe. Alcohol will be available for those 21+ with valid ID.

As dusk falls around 9:15 p.m., the screen lights up under the stars — offering a communal, open-air film experience that celebrates Utah’s diverse voices and wild landscapes.

This year’s lineup
This year’s lineup spotlights storytellers and subjects at the intersections of identity, resilience, and the environment.

Roots
13 min | USA

In the Dominican Republic, baseball isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life. But as the game thrives, development threatens the country’s mangroves, which play a vital role in the ecosystem. Meet Ismael Diaz-Tolentino, who leads the “Play for the Mangroves” initiative, merging conservation with the nation’s love for baseball to inspire environmental stewardship and restore balance to the natural world.

Both & Neither – Ambos y Ninguno
9 min | USA

As a Mexican American, Natalie Connell spent her life balancing two cultural identities, with neither fitting quite right on its own, but through art and climbing, she’s found her rightful place as a bridge between the two.

Judy’s Creek
6 min | USA

Follow ecologist, educator, and author, Dr. Judy Li, into the world of caddisflies, the artisans of the aquatic world. With contagious passion, Judy shares how her childhood curiosity led to a career in freshwater science and how she has found ways to share the joys of science with audiences of all ages.

Mother River
7 min | USA

After pursuing and achieving corporate America career goals on the East Coast, Devin realized that life was not for her. Her childhood roots in paddling and connecting to nature brought her to Minnesota, where she would pursue her dream to become the first black female to kayak the entire Mississippi River.

Greenwood Preservation
17 min | USA

The Greenwood Cemetery project is a compelling documentary that explores the powerful and often overlooked black history in St. Louis and the ongoing efforts to restore and preserve it. The film delves into the rich cultural and historical significance of the cemetery, shedding light on the stories of individuals laid to rest and the community that surrounds it.

Canyon Chorus
17 min | USA

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. This film previously premiered at the 2024 Utah Queer Film Festival.

Jamie
19 min | USA

Jamie Logan – a pioneering alpinist, has climbed some of the most dangerous climbs in the world, but nothing felt as life-threatening as admitting that, at age 69, she wanted to begin living as a woman. This short film demonstrates that love and trust can be the ultimate act of rebellion.

Dancing Warrior
11 min | USA

For the Lakota youth, living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation can be a struggle. But many find hope and purpose in the traditional sport of horse racing known as “Indian Relay.” Witness the coming-of-age story of Lakota teens as they find strength in tradition and passion in competition.

How the Land Remembers Us
20 min | USA

Amidst Yellowstone National Park’s 150th anniversary, a precedent-setting event unfolds: “Yellowstone Revealed.” Indigenous artists, connected with their ancestral land, share projects steeped in traditional ecological knowledge, the act of rematriation, and ceremony. What surfaces is a profound revelation: how they exist in relation to this living, breathing landscape is interwoven with the memories of their ancestors and the legacies they are creating for future generations.

Whether you’re a film lover, environmentalist, or community advocate, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival is a space to connect, learn, and be moved.

Event Details:
Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City
Friday, June 13, 2025
Doors open at 7:30 PM | Films begin at approx. 9:15 PM