How To Fest (In-Person)
Frequently Asked Festival Questions for the In-Person Festival
A great place to start is the 2025 Wild & Scenic Film Festival Program.
Click here for the Festival Map.
Looking for help with the Virtual Festival? Click here
How do I get to create my custom schedule?
- Visit the WSFF Eventive schedule page by clicking here.
- Tip: Change the schedule view to Grid and then look for the ticket icon at the bottom right of a session to see which you have tickets to already.
What is a Film Session?
- A session is a grouping of films shown in an approximate 2.5-hour block. Wild & Scenic offers sessions in Nevada City and Grass Valley on Thursday afternoon and evening, Friday evening, Saturday morning, afternoon, and evening, and Sunday morning and afternoon. Sunday and Monday evenings are dedicated to special Award Winner sessions. When you buy a session ticket, you can access all films specified by your ticket during that session. Yuba Pass holders have access to Sunday and Monday evening Award Winner screenings, while Creek Pass holders do not. Only Watershed Pass holders have access to the Dinner and a Movie session, Thursday evening Radical Thread premier, Saturday morning “Wild Child,” and otherwise, a standalone ticket is needed. During any given session, there are about four venues screening films.
I really want to see a certain film—How can I make sure I get a seat?
- Experienced film festival goers know that if there is a film you really want to see, you should buy/reserve your ticket ASAP! Some films will have repeat screenings, but not all of them. Reserve or buy your ticket in advance to make sure you watch the film you want. All venues open 30 minutes prior to their start time. All seats will be released to those waiting in line to buy last-minute tickets 15 minutes before the start of a session. Even if a film you want to watch is playing at the middle or end of a session, plan to arrive 30 minutes before the session starts; otherwise, you might not be able to watch that film.
- A Watershed Pass allows you to have a pre-reserved seat with your name on it for the sessions you attend. To have a pre-reserved seat for a given film session, you must reserve that space through Eventive.
- To see where a film is screening, click the Film Guide button at WSFF.Eventive.Org. Once you have selected the film you are interested you can find the list of when and where that film is screening under “Showings – select to order tickets:” Once you have found which Showing you would like to attend, click on the teal Order Tickets button at the top of that film session’s page.
- Looking for what is screening at a particular venue? Click on the Schedule button at WSFF.Eventive.org. Then click on the Filter Events button in the top right. You can then filter the schedule by venue by selecting the venue you’d like from the list.
Why can’t the Festival guarantee a seat at the film I want to see?
- All venues are first-come, first-served. We can guarantee you a seat at one of the venues, but not necessarily at the one you may want. If you are a Yuba or Creek Passholder, you can use your pass to reserve space at the sessions you plan to attend. You still need to arrive at the venue 15-30min before the start time to be able to get a seat. If you do not arrive within 15 minutes of the start time, your space will no longer be considered reserved and will be opened up for other attendees.
- If you arrive at a full venue, please check with the volunteers at the door for available seating at other venues. You can also check Eventive to see if a session still has tickets available.
- A Watershed Pass allows you to have a pre-reserved seat for the sessions you attend. To have a pre-reserved seat for a given film session, you must reserve that space through Eventive. If you do not arrive within 15 minutes from the start time and the theater is otherwise at capacity, your space will no longer be considered reserved and will be opened up for other attendees.
How do I know when and where a film screens?
You can explore the film guide on WSFF.Eventive.org. Click on the film you want to know about. Then, look under Showings to see when and where the film is being screened (including virtually). Click on a Showing to learn more about that film session or to order tickets. Click on the Order Tickets button and then choose to reserve the session using your festival pass or purchase individual session tickets.
When can I see award-winning films?
A selection of award-winning films will play at special screenings on Sunday and Monday evenings. Sunday Award Winner screenings will happen at Nevada Theatre in Nevada City and the Grass Valley Center for the Arts. The Monday Locals Night Award Winner screenings will play at the Nevada Theatre in Nevada City and Del Oro in Grass Valley. *Yes, each night there will be different films screened. Award winners will be announced on Sunday morning. Visit our schedule for more information.
There are films I want to see screening at the same time—What should I do?
If you don’t see everything you want, consider attending the Virtual Festival, which will show select sessions from February 13 – 23. Check out SYRCL’s Film Library in March to access a selection of 2025 films (and films from years past) – free for SYRCL members.
How can I meet some of the guest filmmakers and speakers?
One of the coolest things about Wild & Scenic is meeting the great people behind the films. You’ll probably bump into them at the venues or around town (look for their special badges), or you can meet filmmakers after sessions and at the Media Lounge. Some of our filmmakers and special guests will also be facilitating Activist Workshops on Saturday & Sunday, which is a great way to get a more intimate sense of their work.
What are the workshops all about?
On Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm, at the Earthjustice Activist Center (Nevada City’s City Hall), you can learn more about the issues presented in the films and how to make a difference. Or, if you are a budding filmmaker, learn the secrets of industry professionals. These workshops are FREE and open to all. There will also be other chats and presentations during film sessions and other locations. To see everything that is happening, check the Festival Schedule.
Is there anything else to do?
Yes! We have coffee talks and fireside chats, food, wine and beer, spontaneous music on the street, incredible art, and more. Be sure to check out all of our special events. There’s something for everyone – and many events are FREE. You can also take a break and have fun shopping, eating, and drinking in Nevada City and Grass Valley; after all, these are pretty great towns! And, of course, don’t forget to visit the Yuba River.
Got a little longer? Visit one of our Featured Eateries for espresso, pizza, salads, sandwiches, gourmet dining, pub fare, and ice cream.
The Festival is called “Wild & Scenic,” yet many films are not nature or wildlife films—why?
The film festival was named in honor of SYRCL’s successful campaign to achieve state Wild & Scenic status for 39 miles of the South Yuba River. That victory took many years, thousands of volunteer hours and dollars, and grassroots democracy on the river and at the Capitol. The film festival was born out of that spirit, and it continues to be an event that celebrates and inspires activism.
More Festival Hints
- Traveling to Nevada County? Check out the Nevada City & Grass Valley websites for lodging, food, and shopping. For more about Nevada County, visit our Around Town page.
- Ride your bike, carpool, or take public transportation to Wild & Scenic.
- Bring your own water bottle and coffee cup (the festival does not sell bottled water). Visit our Greening Page for more tips and information on helping us green Wild & Scenic.
- Bring a chair pad.
- Help us say “thank you” to the hundreds of volunteers working this weekend – they work long hours to make this event successful!
- If you have downtime, consider visiting the Yuba River, the inspiration of SYRCL’s work and a beloved part of life in the area. The closest and easiest point to access is the 49 crossing off Highway 49, a 10-15 15-minute drive from downtown Nevada City.
