Artist and Wild & Scenic Film Festival co-founder Kathy Dotson created the official poster for the festival's 25th anniversary. The artwork reflects the 2027 theme, "Momentum," and includes imagery tied to the Yuba River watershed. Photo courtesy of South Yuba River Citizens League

NEVADA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Wild & Scenic Film Festival will mark its 25th anniversary in February with five days of environmental and adventure films, a commemorative poster created by one of the festival's founders and an expanded live music program.

The South Yuba River Citizens League will host the 25th annual festival Feb. 18-22, 2027, in Nevada City and Grass Valley. An online festival will follow Feb. 19-28.

Organizers selected "Momentum" as the theme for the anniversary festival, which will feature films covering nature, conservation, water, wildlife, adventure, community activism, energy and environmental justice.

The anniversary also brings festival co-founder Kathy Dotson back to the event in a different role.

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary Feb. 18-22, 2027, in Nevada City and Grass Valley. The festival will also offer virtual programming Feb. 19-28. Photo courtesy of South Yuba River Citizens League

Dotson created the official artwork for the 2027 festival. She co-founded Wild & Scenic while working at SYRCL and served as festival director as the event grew. She also developed the festival's national On Tour program, which now reaches more than 40,000 people annually in 125 communities, according to SYRCL.

Her anniversary artwork centers on a colorful pinwheel representing the "Momentum" theme. A salmon rises through the lower portion of the image, representing SYRCL's work to protect and restore the Yuba River watershed.

"Its life cycle, river to ocean and back again, represents transformation and coming full circle," Dotson said. "Maybe I'm a little part of that salmon too, jumping, or dancing, for joy and hope

Dotson has created festival and band posters, album covers, children's books and advocacy artwork. Her work also includes designs for the High Sierra Music Festival.

"Twenty-five years ago a few of us at SYRCL willed this festival into existence, pure momentum," Dotson said. "Getting to illustrate that energy for the anniversary poster feels like the universe handing me back something I helped build. I am beyond honored."

Music will also play a larger role in the anniversary festival through a new partnership with Madcap Music Group, an independent record label and production firm founded in Nevada City by producer and songwriter Kelly Rutledge.

Madcap Music Group will partner with the Wild & Scenic Film Festival to bring live performances, music-themed panels and a commemorative vinyl soundtrack to the festival's 25th anniversary. Photo courtesy of Madcap Music Group

Madcap will produce live music throughout the festival, including pop-up performances and music-themed speaker panels. Organizers said details about performers will be announced closer to the event.

"Music is built on momentum, one note leads to another; one line starts the rhyme, and before you know it, you've reached the chorus," Rutledge said. "That feels deeply connected to what Wild & Scenic has built over 25 years: using stories to shift perspective and inspire meaningful action."

Rutledge said music gives the festival another way to connect its message with audiences.

"Music adds another texture to the story, giving the message another way to resonate within the community and carry that movement forward," he said.

Madcap will also produce "Momentum: Wild & Scenic Film Festival 25th Anniversary Soundtrack," a limited-edition vinyl record featuring 10 to 12 licensed original tracks from Nevada County musicians and artists from across the country.

The record will be available through preorder and during the festival. Twenty-five percent of proceeds will benefit SYRCL's river initiatives.

Musicians may submit original songs inspired by "Momentum" through Oct. 21. Submissions carry a $25 nonrefundable administrative fee and songs cannot exceed four minutes. Organizers said unreleased music is strongly preferred. Submission information is available at madcapmusicgroup.com/wsff27.

Wild & Scenic began as a SYRCL program and has developed into one of the nation's largest environmental and adventure film festivals. Its traveling program brings festival selections to audiences around the country each year.

Additional festival information is available at http://WildandScenicFilmFestival.org.