BERLIN — Picture yourself riding in a fragile dory navigating the raging rapids of the mighty Colorado River as it carves its way through the Grand Canyon. Feel the spray from a wilderness waterfall as you balance precariously on a swaying slackline. Soar the air currents high above the Chesapeake with a majestic osprey as it delivers its fresh catch to a hungry nestling. These and many more dazzling, dizzying, compelling and even comedic images will come to life at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, making its sixth Ocean City appearance at Seacrets Morley Hall on Thursday, Nov. 17.
This year’s festival features a menu of 16 short masterpieces over a two-hour span ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. Proceeds from the event will benefit Assateague Coastal Trust’s efforts to protect local natural wonders, and keep waterways safe, swimmable and fishable.
Hosted locally by Assateague Coastal Trust and the Assateague Coastkeeper, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival is organized by a northern California watershed group which each year assembles a catalog of award-winning, mostly environmentally-focused films and offers them to local conservation nonprofits to help educate and engage their communities.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to once again share these amazing films from around the world with our local audience,” said ACT Executive Director and Coastkeeper Kathy Philllips. “Many of the films showcase environmental issues which helps us to engage and inspire people around the challenges facing our planet and our local area.”
But Phillips noted it’s not all about teaching or preaching.
“There is a healthy mix of adventure and pure fun which makes the festival as much about entertainment as education,” she said.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. with drinks and discounted food items available throughout the evening. The films will be delivered in dazzling clarity via Morley Hall’s state-of-the-art projection system. Tickets are only $20 in advance and $25 at the door. As a special bonus, purchasers of three tickets in advance will get a fourth ticket free.
To purchase tickets, visit www.ActForBays.org or call 410-629-1538.