Wildlife Conservation Society to launch first 'Reel Wild' film festival
It will be packed with fourteen noteworthy films surrounding wildlife and conservation with ties to the five boroughs.
The Wildlife Conservation Society is set to debut its first-ever two-day film festival in Manhattan on April 4 and 5.
The WCS says its two-day festival, named "Reel Wild," will be packed with fourteen noteworthy films surrounding wildlife and conservation with ties to the five boroughs.
They said the festival is the perfect way to kick off "Earth Month."
One of the featured films, "Wild Hope," is a series of short films about the Bronx Zoo's efforts to keep the bison population from extinction.
"It's the story of the work that we do everyday here at the Bronx Zoo, to help save buffalo and bison," said John Calvelli, executive vice president of the WCS, "So many of the bison that you see in the wild actually can trace their roots back to the Bronx area right here."
John Calvelli spoke with News 12 about the real message behind the festival.
"What we’re doing here in the Bronx Zoo is to spark a love for nature... a sense of wonderment… and take that to another audience," said Calvelli.
Calvelli noted the New York-based festival has connections to each borough through the WCS's plethora of conservatories.
“We’re here at the Bronx Zoo today, but you could be going to the Prospect Park Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo or even New York Aquarium enjoying nature, learning about nature and loving nature," he said.
He explained the festival is an extension of the work the WCS does to encourage New Yorkers to take action in conserving the environment and nature.
"To make sure that they’re apart of the solution. That they’re gonna be part of what we do to make sure there’s nature... not just for us, but for generations to come," said Calvelli.
The Reel Wild New York Film Festival will be held at AMC Lincoln Square 13,1998 Broadway in New York City on April 4 and 5.
For tickets and the full festival film schedule, click here.
