On Nov. 18 join the U’s Environment & Sustainability Studies Program (ENVST) for a fun evening while supporting a great cause for student scholarships. The 2015 Wild & Scenic Film Festival will be held at UMFA (Utah Museum of Fine Arts) from 6 to 9 p.m. This event is the ENVST program’s main fundraiser for scholarships, which give students the opportunity to focus on studies by alleviating financial stress.

There will be a silent auction with killer local items to bid on. The food will be provided by local businesses. What better way to engage in the community than supporting dedicated students, enjoying epic films, winning awesome items and enjoying delicious local food?

This worthwhile event is being organized by the Sustainability Leadership Committee, which is a group of nine select students who serve as ambassadors for the Environmental Studies Program and who work closely with the associate director, Jennifer Watt. As a member of the committee, I have been a part of the planning process and can promise you that this year’s festival has a noteworthy lineup of films. With special access to a film festival’s planning packet, the committee came together and sorted through the long list of potential films to show. After hours of watching environmental films with bloodshot eyes, we chose the perfect mix of films, with topics ranging from solar energy to water to sense of place to creative research and outdoor adventure. You will leave the film festival feeling awed, inspired and motivated.

Besides the captivating films, there will also be an impressive supply of silent auction items on which to bid. To give you a sneak peek, we have gift cards; ski resort day passes; gear for biking, skiing and climbing; and memberships to Red Butte Gardens, The Natural History Museum, Tracy Aviary and Core Power Yoga. But remember — that is only a glimpse. The Sustainability Leadership Committee asked local businesses for silent auction donations. We are thankful for sponsors like Alta, Sundance, Petzl, Relics Gallery, Core Power Yoga, U.S. Ski Team, Flowrider, Sugared Caramel, Local Lunatic, Orchid Arrangements and King’s English for helping make this event successful.

Lastly, I can promise you there will be tasty appetizers provided by Liberty Heights Fresh and desserts provided by Hungry Bear Bakery to satisfy your sweet tooth. A key feature to environmentalism and to living sustainably is localism. When planning the event, the Leadership Committee had the community in mind and kept donation items and food for the event as local as possible. This event supports the ENVST program, but as students, we wanted to be able to support the community as well. The event is all about inspiring action, promoting the local community and supporting Environmental and Sustainability Studies students. Jai Bashir is one of the students who received a scholarship from the program last year.

Bashir explained, “The tuition waiver gave me the opportunity to put more diligent time and active passion into my writing and advocacy efforts. Because I didn’t have to work three jobs to pay for tuition and living expenses, I was able accomplish things such as organizing a citywide protest (the local version of the People’s Climate March) and receive an award from the Academy of American Poets.”

Support our students and hurry to buy your tickets before they sell out! Otherwise you will be left out of the loop when your friends are talking about their favorite films while wearing their new attire from the auction.

Dani Poirier

Member of the Sustainability Leadership Committee