Tell us a little bit about who Diana Arbex is and what you did before WSFF.
I was born and raised in Brazil, which defines who I am in many ways, although I feel a deep connection to any place enveloped by nature. I grew up in a small mountain town nestled in Rio de Janeiro, where waterfalls cascaded nearby and vibrant tropical birds filled the air. Growing up, our backyard was a sugarcane field along with mango, cacao, and banana trees. One of my favorite pastimes as a kid was climbing trees and eat fruit off the trees.
After going to school for Graphic Design in Rochester, NY, I quickly transitioned into the more administrative side of the creative sector. Prior to the pandemic, I moved back to Brasil and assumed a role to manage an art gallery in a rural mountain area, representing diverse local folk, contemporary and indigenous artists. In 2022, I relocated to Nevada City and joined the Nevada County Arts Council as executive assistant and program coordinator—this role offered me valuable insight into the local community and has greatly contributed to my growth in the arts administration path.
What was your introduction to Wild & Scenic Film Festival?
My introduction to the
Wild & Scenic Film Festival was through my involvement with the Nevada County Arts Council, when In 2023, the Festival Director invited me to emcee one of the Nature in Art sessions presented by the festival. Witnessing the impactful work of Wild & Scenic immediately inspired me. Although I had been following the efforts of SYRCL and Wild & Scenic, attending the festival was such a profoundly remarkable and inspiring experience that I returned to emcee again the following year. Additionally, through my role at the Arts Council, I played a small part in the WSFF Art Exhibition, as the program involves a partnership between WSFF and NC Arts Council.
Why were you interested in this role with Wild & Scenic? What are you looking forward to?
Initially, I was drawn to this role because I saw it as a great opportunity for my career path. Secondly, I am deeply passionate about SYRCL’s mission—the Yuba River holds a special place in my heart, as it does for everyone in our community and the organization’s profound impact locally cannot be overstated. To me, the Wild & Scenic is the perfect example of how the arts can impact social and environmental change; and this mission deeply resonates with me.
I’m excited to engage with the community in my new capacity, joining the WSFF team to continue to grow and develop this meaningful program, and I look forward to being a part of the making of the 23rd annual Wild & Scenic. Lastly, I am thrilled to have the opportunity meet new people—filmmakers, creatives, and changemakers—at the Flagship Festival.
How do you expect your prior experience to impact your new work with Wild & Scenic?
Immensely! I believe my journey to this point has been shaped significantly by my diverse work experiences. In my previous role, I had the chance to engage closely with the local community, and I look forward to further developing and nurturing relationships through my new capacity.
What has been your favorite WSFF experience so far?
It was a great experience to emcee the Art in Nature session in 2023, as I had the opportunity to meet some of the filmmakers in attendance for that particular session. The session featured approximately six films, each distinct yet united by the theme of using art to connect with the environment. Leading the Q&A with the filmmakers was incredibly inspiring, offering me firsthand insights into their creative processes and concepts; and I must say one of my most memorable experiences at Wild & Scenic.
What are one or two of your favorite films currently On Tour? Why?
One of my favorites and one that I highly recommend watching is “Paddle Tribal Waters.” It’s a documentary that features a group of indigenous youth as they prepare to kayak the Klamath River amid one of the world’s largest dam removal projects. This film is profoundly inspiring and it instilled in me hope for the future stewards of our land.
“The Birdcarver” held a special place in my heart as it’s a documentary that explores the life of a Brazilian artisan, taking me on a journey into my cultural roots. It tells the story of an artist and his family living in a National Park, as they work to preserve the region’s hundreds of bird species, all while he creates beautiful wood-carved birds that embody the legacy of Brazilian traditional folkloric art.
