The International Wildlife Film Festival has announced the lineup for its 42nd annual festival happening in Missoula this April.
“It’s the longest standing wildlife film festival in the country," says Carrie Richer, a festival co-producer. "It celebrates wildlife, it celebrates the environment, and it celebrates people’s relationship to wildlife through film.”
This year’s festival includes more than 70 films chosen by Missoula community members, with selections from 36 countries.
There will be stories of never-before-seen whale behavior, of a Maasai warrior and his connection with the wild place he lives, and of people facing climate change. There will also be visits from filmmakers, panels, and to kick things off, a parade filled with wildlife costumes.
“We really try to appeal to the whole community and make sure that everybody has an opportunity to explore something about wildlife, whether they’re a really professional scientist or just a 7-year-old kid that loves giraffes," Richer says.
Richer says the festival will end with an awards ceremony at Missoula’s Wilma Theater and one of the first showings of Epic Yellowstone: Return of the Predators. The film, made by a Montana-based production company, follows the lives of the wolves, grizzlies and mountain lions in the park.
Richer says some screenings and events are free, but others require tickets and it’s best to get them ahead of time.
The International Wildlife Film Festival runs April 13-19.