Film fans and nature lovers will want to head to Andrews Memorial Town Hall in Clinton on Saturday, April 27 for the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, a showing of acclaimed nature documentaries starting at 6 p.m. The event is being held by the Clinton Land Conversation Trust (CLCT) and the Madison Land Conservation Trust, and will feature a chance for attendees to view films from one of the nation’s most acclaimed wildlife film festivals.

The event will also feature refreshments, including alcohol from Thimble Island Brewery and Chamard vineyards.

CLCT President Mike Houde explained that the original Wild and Scenic Film Festival is an annual film festival of nature films held each year in California, drawing about 80 film submissions each year.

Houde said the local event is the result of almost six months of work between the two trusts.

“There was a connection with someone from Madison who creates these films. They asked us, ‘Would you like to collaborate on this?’” Houde said.

A five-member team that consisted of Houde, Sally Heffernan, Susan Donoghue, Julie Ainsworth, and Andrea Hopkins was able to view the 80 films that were submitted to the film festival, finally selecting 11 films of various lengths, each with a different topic or theme, the share at the April 27 festival.

“I hope people go away inspired to protect and cherish the planet that provides life to be possible each and every day. Also, to understand that each person can make a difference,” said Houde

Houde said he personally looked to select films that had a mix of messages, from funny films to inspiring films, to serious ones. “There’s plenty of bad news out there in the environmental world. So, we didn’t want to burden people but inform them,” Houde said.

Houde said the two organizations are splitting the costs of the event as well as the profits from the event, and that there is a hope that this event will become an annual one for the organizations.

“We’re pretty excited about it and think it’s going to be a really good night,” Houde said.

Tickets can be purchased for $20 in advance online at either www.clintonlandtrust.org or www.madisonlandtrust.org. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $25.