BigTown Projects Presents the 2026 Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Rochester, Vermont

ROCHESTER, VT — BigTown Projects is proud to present the 2026 Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Saturday, August 15, as an immersive day of film, food, community, and outdoor inspiration in the heart of Rochester.

The festival features the acclaimed Best of the Fest 2026 touring program from Nevada City, California—“A Film Festival by Activists for Activists.” Celebrating environmental stewardship, outdoor adventure, and powerful storytelling, this year’s lineup includes the Vermont-made, award-winning film Best Day Ever, directed by Ben Knight and recipient of the festival’s 2026 Mobilize Award.

Building on the success of last summer’s festival, which welcomed more than 150 attendees per screening, this year’s event celebrates the growing momentum of local trail initiatives and the arrival of Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports in Rochester. Partner organizations include Ridgeline Outdoor Collective, Vermont Huts & Trails, VMBA, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, Green Mountain Bikes, Rutland Beer Works, and BigTown Vermont.

Film screenings begin at 3:00 p.m. at BigTown Vermont, followed by a community discussion exploring adaptive recreation, trail access, and the future of inclusive outdoor experiences in Vermont.

Beginning at 6:00 p.m., guests are invited to gather behind Green Mountain Bikes for the “Spirit of the Dough” wood-fired pizza celebration. Rutland Beer Works will be on site serving craft beer, with a portion of beer sales donated to BigTown Projects in support of its community arts and cultural programming.

Festival and dinner tickets are available separately, allowing guests to enjoy either the film festival, the pizza gathering, or the full day of activities.

Throughout the day, attendees can also participate in a raffle benefiting BigTown Projects, featuring prizes from Green Mountain Bikes, The Stable Inn, participating partner organizations, and local businesses.

For the full schedule, ticket information, and festival details, visit BigTown Vermont.