Mississippi Park Connection is honored and excited to bring the 22nd annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, one of the nation's premier environmental and adventure film festivals to the heart of the Twin Cities at The Main Cinema, Minneapolis, MN.
Mississippi Park Connection is the official nonprofit organization for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, your national park in the Twin Cities.
Proceeds from the event support equitable access to the Mississippi River. Visit Paddle Share to learn more about the self-service kayak program in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
This is a two part series, each showing is sold independently.
12:30PM: Wild Child, 50-minute compilation of family-friendly and youth-centered short films to inspire action and stewardship of the planet.
2PM: Water Tales Festival, 150-minutes mix of films curated and selected by Mississippi Park Connection highlighting culture, activism, and stewardship around different bodies of water around the world.
Mississippi Park Connection Presents: Wild & Scenic Film Festival: Wild Child (Family Friendly)
Start Time: 12:30 PM
Runtime: 50 min
Ticket Prices:
$25 General (+ $2 online service fee)
$20 Member
$20 Student (+ $2 online service fee)
$15 Child (+ $2 online service fee)
Mississippi Park Connection Presents: Wild & Scenic Film Festival: Water Tales
Run time: 150 min
Start Time: 2pm
Ticket Prices:
$35 General (+ $2 online service fee)
$30 Member
$30 Student (+ $2 online service fee)
$20 Child (+ $2 online service fee)
Mississippi Park Connection Presents: Discover Your River
Start Time: 4:45 pm
Runtime: 90 min
Ticket Prices:
$25 General (+ $2 online service fee)
$20 Member
$20 Student (+ $2 online service fee)
20 Child (+ $2 online service fee)
Mississippi Park Connection invites you to enjoy a compilation of films about local river advocates and their relationships with the Mississippi River
We Are the River
Director: Peter Myers, Myers Communication Group | Trailer | 7 min
The majestic waters of the Mississippi River meander 650 miles through Minnesota’s prairies, valleys, and cities. Yet, its constant presence is all too easily taken for granted. We’ve lost sight of the powerful story the river has to tell – the story of us.
To the Dakota people, the river is a sacred relative; to early European settlers, it was the key to economic power. The Mississippi gave birth to thriving communities along its winding path, and the Falls of St. Anthony were harnessed to make Minneapolis the flour milling capital of the world. But we paid a steep price for this economic progress: the destruction of sacred places, communities, and habitats.
With stories told by Indigenous Minnesotans, historians, educators, and river stewards, We Are the River explores the conflicts and contradictions that have surrounded the Mississippi for hundreds of years. It also celebrates signs of hope and triumph in this resilient ribbon of flowing water.
Mother River
Director: Jay-J Shultz, Harvest Film Company | Short | 6 min
Accepted into four nationwide film festivals, this breathtaking short film chronicles the relationship one Minneapolis paddler has developed with the Mississippi River. It also documents her decade-long dream of embarking on a life-changing journey to paddle all 2,350 miles of the Mississippi River.
Mississippi Speed Record
Directors: Alex & Amy Maier, Wilderness Mindset | Feature Documentary | 87 min
Mississippi Park Connection, the official philanthropic partner of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, is proud to host Mississippi Speed Record in honor of the river and the many local paddlers who hear her beckoning call. Maybe paddling 2,350 miles in less than three weeks isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but we hope to inspire you not only to chase your dreams but also to make a plan to get on the river when the ice melts!
Embark on an epic journey with four adventurous spirits as they undertake the ultimate test of endurance and determination. Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure follows their incredible quest to paddle the entire 2,350 miles of the Mississippi River in a single 23-foot canoe, aiming to set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest descent of the river.
They paddle 24/7 for over two weeks—eating, sleeping, and even using the bathroom in the canoe. Supported by a dedicated crew of over 20 people and two trailing support boats, they receive a constant stream of supplies and encouragement, fueling their drive to break the record.
Their journey captures the imagination of over a million followers on social media. Cheering fans line the riverbanks, sharing in every triumph and setback. This exhilarating and inspiring documentary reminds us that it’s not about conquering the river—it’s about moving in harmony with its flow. Will the Mississippi River allow them to break the record?
In partnership with:
