Film tour showcases nation's rivers

American Rivers and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition will host the Wild Rivers Film Tour in Whitefish on Thursday, May 18.

Now in its second year of production, the Wild Rivers Film Tour showcases river-specific adventure and conservation films in one evening of entertainment. The 2017 tour includes eight films – “The Super Salmon,” “The Shape of a River,” “Every Bend,” “Avanyu,” “Wild President,” “Milk and Honey,” “Oil and Water Don’t Mix” and “5,000 Miles of Wild.”

“The Super Salmon” portrays the story of one fish’s determination to reach the origin of the Susitna River in Alaska. Known as the Everest of rivers, the Susitna is under threat from a mega-dam proposal and local advocates have organized a coalition to stop the project.

“The Shape of a River” features the famed Yellowstone River as a benefactor to those who chose to live along its path. The film is the product of a joint effort between two Bozeman-based non-profit organizations – Ocean Media Institute and the Montana Aquatic Resource Services.

Stretching from the Gallatin River to the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, “Every Bend” chronicles a Montana angler, hiking guide and the director of a youth kayaking school – all who share a deep reverence for Montana’s clean rivers.

“In Oil and Water Don’t Mix,” focus is placed on the threat that oil train transport poses to the Middle Fork of the Flathead and the downstream communities. The Middle Fork Flathead has been listed on American Rivers National Most Endangered Rivers List of 2017 due to the threat of oil train derailment in the corridor.

Additional short films highlight the river legacy left by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, a Native American perspective, and the value in safeguarding more of America’s wild rivers.

Proceeds from the Wild Rivers Film Tour will benefit Montanans for Healthy Rivers – a coalition of businesses, sportsmen and conservation groups working together to designate new Wild & Scenic Rivers in Montana.

American Rivers and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition both contribute to the leadership of Montanans for Healthy Rivers. American Rivers works to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and streams. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition is dedicated to protecting the lands, waters and wildlife of the 20 million acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and films begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available at the door or in advance at http://greateryellowstone.org/tix