CWU to host environmentally focused Resilience Film Festival

A key tenet of Central Washington University’s mission is stewardship of place, a commitment we exercise in a multitude of ways, through a plethora of partnerships.

On Friday, September 26, CWU will host the Resilience Film Festival, which will explore how communities are restoring public lands throughout the western half of Washington State through 11 short films as well as a panel-led discussion. The free festival, in partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, will be open to all community members and run from 6-8:30 p.m. in the SURC Theatre. A table with opportunities to get involved will be available from 5-6 p.m.

The Resilience Film Fest started in the office of Teanaway Community Forest Engagement Coordinator Vince Pruis, who has a close connection to the Ellensburg community and the land upon which it resides.

“I grew up in Ellensburg, attending free lectures and exciting events like the Warren Miller Film Fest and Banf Mountain Film Festival screenings in the SURC,” Pruis said. “I admire Central’s focus on highlighting and connecting community partners, a focus that inspired the idea to showcase existing videos about local land conservation and restoration efforts on the eastern half of the National Heritage Area, followed by a conversation with featured panelists.”

Pruis worked alongside SLICE Community Engagement Program Manager Jessica Woodall to organize the event. Woodall said the collaboration has been incredibly productive, successfully incorporating the perspectives of the different organizations involved in the effort.

“From the very beginning, Vince and the Greenway Team has been an incredible partner to work with,” she said. “They’ve been involved and helpful in every stage from sharing their vision and attending numerous planning meetings, to supporting marketing efforts, helping design the event layout, and ensuring we are fully prepared for a successful and fun show. Their collaboration has not only made this entire process a smooth one, but also a truly exciting experience.”

The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is a community organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area, which covers 1.5 million acres of land between Ellensburg and the Puget Sound. The films featured at the Resilience Film Fest will highlight those preservation efforts, as well as the people who’ve made those initiatives possible.

“Many of the projects featured in Resilience Film Fest would not be possible without overwhelming support from the community—grassroots advocacy for funding, neighbors who’ve committed their lives and careers to a section of woods just up the highway, and countless volunteers doing everything from monitoring water quality and pulling out derelict fencing to building trails and cleaning up campgrounds,” Pruis said. “The Resilience Film Fest is a chance to celebrate the work that’s been done, but it’s also a launching point for anyone who wants to become involved.”

Woodall hopes attendees will walk away from the festival feeling inspired to contribute to the work that keeps our environment flourishing for future generations to enjoy.

“It creates space for learning, reflection, and action, bringing together students, faculty, staff, and community members around shared values and urgent issues,” she said. “By highlighting local efforts and offering tangible ways to get involved, CWU helps empower individuals to make a difference while strengthening the bonds between campus and the community.”

The day after the festival, attendees are encouraged to attend the countywide National Public Lands Day, which will offer opportunities to participate in the very work being celebrated. Attendees can register to participate following the films.

The Resilience Film Festival is co-sponsored by CWU’s Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement (SLICE) office, and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. Closed captioning and interpreting services will be available for the hearing impaired.