Just add water
Calling all adrenaline freaks with a camera: The Reel Paddling Film Festival wants your gnarly, awe-inspiring or idyllic river footage.
This year’s film festival/Animas River Days kick-off party, which takes place June 8 at the Smiley Theatre, is seeking entries for its second annual “Local Adventure Media Contest.”

Sponsored by the San Juan Citizens Alliance, the film fest celebrates paddlesports of all kinds, and the local component was the hit of last year’s event. “Durango paddlers have some amazing adventures, both locally and far afield,” said Marybeth Morin, of the Citizen’s Alliance.
Videos, slide shows and photos will be selected in the following categories: Best Family Boating Image; Best River Image from Southwest Colorado; and Best Short Film.

Entries must be received by June 1. Winning photos and videos will be shown at the Reel Fest, and anyone who submits will get a two-for-one entry coupon for the Film Festival.

There is also a poster contest for kids 12 and younger with the theme “River Health, Fun and Safety.” Kids who bring their creation on a half-sized poster board to the film festival get in free.

For an entry form or details, go to www.sanjuancitizens.org or call Kent Ford, 259-1361

Tickets for the film fest are available at Four Corners Riversports, Marias Bookshop and online at www.sanjuancitizens.org.

Catch a wild horse
Durangoans can see local filmmaker Mara Legrand’s latest documentary, “Wild Horses in Winds of Change” on the airwaves next week. The film, which follows the plight of the West’s wild horses, airs on PBS channel 12 (CPT12.org) at 8:30 p.m. Tues., May 29.

The film is timely in many ways as it takes a hard look at the impacts on natural resources when humans aren’t good stewards of nature, according to a press release from LeGrand’s  Skydancer Productions. “It artfully tells the story of how America’s wild horses are lawfully protected but unlawfully and inhumanely managed. And without pointing a specific blame, it calls upon everyone to be guardians of the natural world. Learn more about the film.”

For more info, go to wildhorsesinwinds ofchange.com.