Join us for the inaugural Fish Water People Film Festival, hosted by California Trout, for a night filled with unforgettable films, inspiring stories, and community connection. These aren’t just films – they’re a call to action for the lands and waters that sustain us.
The world is changing fast. Rivers are running drier, fires burn hotter, and the places we love are under strain. But through it all, people continue to adapt, protect, and fight for the landscapes that sustain us. The Fish Water People Film Festival brings these powerful stories to the big screen – tales of resilience, tradition, and deep-rooted relationships with water, fish, and wild places.
Featuring a powerful lineup of films (coming soon), this festival isn’t just about fish – it’s about the people who care for them, depend on them, and fight for their future. From high energy journeys to intimate portraits of people and place, these films will remind you why California’s rivers, streams, and coastal waters matter.
More than just a film night. Screenings will take place at breweries and theaters across California, so grab a drink, connect with your community, hear from filmmakers during Q&A panels, and enjoy a night of storytelling, giveaways, and celebration.
Plus, don’t miss our festival raffle! Attend a screening for a chance to win outdoor gear, local gift certificates, and more.
Whether you’re an angler, paddler, hiker, or just someone who loves a great story, this festival is for you. Protecting these places starts with understanding why they matter.
Join us for an unforgettable night of film, community, and conservation.
Upcoming Screenings – Limited Seats Available!
Thursday, June 12 | San Diego | Bivouac Ciderworks
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Friday, June 20 | Pasadena | Patagonia Pasadena
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Friday, June 27 | Arcata | Arcata Playhouse
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More screenings coming soon. Stay tuned for new dates!
Past Screenings — Thanks for Coming!
Friday, May 16 | Sacramento | Jackrabbit Brewing Co.
Thursday, May 22 | Orinda | Orinda Theater
Tuesday, May 27 | Larkspur | The Lark Theater
The Films
Native to the Klamath by Michael Wier | Trailer
Native to the Klamath is a story told through the voices of the salmon people. The Klamath River is currently going through one of the largest transformations in history. Native to the Klamath intertwines environmental restoration, reconciliation ecology, social justice, and traditional ecological knowledge. Hear the story of this river renewal through the words of the Klamath River peoples who live by the sacred obligation of stewardship.
Hex Madness by Michael Wier | Trailer
Fall River is the largest spring-fed creek on the West Coast and one of the most prolific wild trout fisheries in the world. For just a couple months each summer, the Hexagenia Limbata, the largest mayflies in the world, hatch right as it gets dark and the fish go crazy for them. Fisherman are so frantic to catch them in this short window that it often turns into absolute mayhem. Val Atkinson describes the excitement this generates in fisherman as hex madness.
Don’t Doubt the Trout by Isabela Zawistowska | Trailer
Musicians Bernard and Rebecca of Par Avion set out to advocate for the protection of California’s endangered Southern steelhead.
Ripples of Change by Ben Galland | Trailer
The Smith River is a beacon from which all other watersheds in California are measured. It enjoys one of the highest degrees of protections of any other watershed in the lower 48 thanks to the pioneering vision of the founders of California trout, the Smith River alliance, the wild salmon center and many others. However, there are still people who want to start up open pit mines along It’s tributaries in Oregon. Some rivers are so special that we need to draw a line around the entire watershed and protect it. The Smith river is one of those places.
Spring Run by Michael Damman and Drew Glickman | Trailer
‘Spring Run’ takes you into the current of California’s Salmon River, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the state. Here, a dedicated community of tribal members, river defenders, and scientists are fighting to save the vital spring run Chinook salmon from extinction. With the Klamath River having undergone the world’s largest river restoration project, will this be the salmon’s last stand – or a new beginning?
Fish for the Future by Matthew Benton
A story of community and agencies coming together after the Palisades Fire in order to rescue endangered Southern steelhead from imminent mudslides threatening to destroy one of the species’ remaining habitats.