UW’s Wild and Working Lands Film Festival Seeks Submissions

The Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming is now accepting submissions for the third annual Wild and Working Lands Film Festival, which will be held in Laramie next April. The deadline to submit videos is Jan. 15.

The Haub School invites anyone interested to submit a short film -- up to 20 minutes in length -- that explores the intricate connections between humans and the landscapes where residents dwell, work and play. Submissions could share stories about hunting, fishing, ranching, farming, conservation, outdoor recreation, energy development or other topics.

Submission details are available at www.filmfreeway.com/WildandWorkingLandsFilmFestival.

“Our wild and working lands unite Wyomingites,” says John Koprowski, dean of the Haub School. “One does not live in Wyoming without a connection to our vast landscapes on which we live, work, raise our families, share moments with those we love and ponder life’s mysteries. We are pleased to celebrate the diversity of values and connections to our lands through the medium of film.”

A panel of independent volunteer judges will review all submissions in January to narrow the pool. The festival organizing committee then will review that pool to make final selections of which films to accept and to create the festival program.

Organizers hope to create a Wyoming-focused event and invite submissions from UW, community colleges, independent filmmakers and nonprofit organizations across the state and beyond. They also welcome films from outside Wyoming that can inform the experiences of those living in the High Plains and Mountain West. In addition to the in-person screening of selected films in Laramie, organizers aim to hold screenings around Wyoming.

“Film is such a powerful way to tell stories and share ideas,” says Emilene Ostlind, one of the festival organizers. “We want this festival to highlight new thinking about relationships between people and our landscapes. Hopefully, viewers come away moved and inspired.”

For more information about the festival, go to www.uwyo.edu/haub/events/film-festival or email Ostlind at emilene@uwyo.edu.

About UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources

The Haub School educates future leaders to have the skills, tools and experiences they need to take on environmental and natural resource challenges, and create sustainable futures for wild and working lands.