Wild & Free (At Least in Name)

Don’t look now – or rather maybe look all weekend – but here comes another new film festival in town. Wild and Free Film Festival (WAFFF), which takes place November 14-16, was created to celebrate environmentally conscious, diverse cinematic storytelling from around the world to inspire audiences for thought and action. The fest – which aims to deepen understanding of nature and its species through a wide array of genres including fiction films, animation, and documentaries – was founded by Gareth Kelly, who previously served as development director and programmer of the NatureTrack Film Festival. WAFFF’s inaugural fest features screenings of nearly 35 films covering both features and shorts, plus industry panels, filmmaker discussions, guest appearances, receptions, and an awards ceremony. 

Highlights include opening night’s Central Coast premiere of Checkpoint Zoo, executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, which documents a daring rescue by a team of zookeepers and volunteers who risked their lives to save thousands of animals trapped in a zoo behind enemy lines during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Saturday night brings a 10th anniversary screening of How to Change the World, the story of the pioneers who founded Greenpeace and defined the modern green movement. Greenpeace International Co-founder Rex Weyler will be on hand for a Q&A session and to accept the inaugural Wild and Free Spirit Award. 

Despite the fest’s title, there is a clear schedule, and tickets aren’t free, save for Sunday’s generous community day, which features nine short films split into two blocks. The blocks will be separated by a filmmaker panel discussion, the afternoon session including the world premiere of Ellwood Mesa: Beyond the Bluffs. See the website for the full slate of events at Camino Real Cinemas in Goleta. Screening blocks cost $12 each or $75 for a weekend pass.  

Visit www.wildandfreefilm.org.