Documentary explores human’s coexistence with grizzly bears

The Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club is hosting “The Return of the Grizzly” film screening on Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Save the Yellowstone Grizzly's newest film, "The Return of the Grizzly" is a 37-minute documentary that explores solutions to the coexistence and tolerance challenges faced by grizzly bears due to the effects of climate change. The film is narrated by one of America’s most beloved actors and storytellers, Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, and is scored by legendary pianist Bill Payne of Little Feat. 

The film, directed by Maaike Middleton, visits with biologists, road ecologists, filmmakers, Native Americans, wildlife photographers, and business owners, among others, and focuses on the pioneering bears known as "explorer bears."  

“Return of the Grizzly” presents viewers with proven, long-term solutions for human/bear conflict and ways for residents to get productively involved in the preservation of this unique American species.

A question-and-answer panel with bear experts will be available immediately after the film to discuss how folks can co-exist with grizzly bears and reduce potential conflicts. 

The film features archival and never-before-seen grizzly footage by Doug Peacock.

The film was produced by STYG with the help of Patagonia, the Sierra Club, the Montana Film Office, the Natalie Orfalea Foundation, and Sound Color Studios.  The screening is free and open to the public.

For further questions, contact Shannon James at shannon.james@sierraclub.org.