Letting Nature Take the Lead: Free Screening of WILDING on May 16
- FHFF
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
The Friday Harbor Film Festival invites you to a powerful evening of environmental storytelling with a free screening of Wilding on Friday, May 16 at 7 PM. Screenings will be held simultaneously at two island venues: the San Juan Island Grange and the Lopez Island Library. No RSVP is required, and as always, admission is free.
Following both screenings, attendees will be treated to a pre-recorded Q&A with director David Allen, offering insights into the film's creation and the real-world impact of the story it tells.
About the Film
Based on Isabella Tree's best-selling book, Wilding follows the remarkable journey of Isabella and Charlie Tree as they turn away from conventional farming on their 400-year-old British estate and place their trust in nature.
Facing £1.5 million in debt and a depleted landscape, they dare to rip down fences and allow the land to rewild—an act of hope and rebellion in the face of ecological collapse.
Their experiment, inspired by European ecologist Frans Vera, becomes one of the most significant rewilding efforts in Europe. With the return of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, charming pigs rooting through undergrowth, and the miraculous comeback of species like the purple emperor butterfly, white stork, and turtle dove, Knepp Estate transforms into a biodiversity hotspot.
Directed by five-time Emmy Award winner David Allen, Wilding captures this story with emotional intimacy and breathtaking cinematography. What unfolds is not just a tale of environmental renewal, but of personal liberation and cultural change—an inspiring call to reimagine our relationship with the land.
About the Director
David Allen is a leading voice in natural history filmmaking, celebrated for combining compelling human narratives with powerful environmental themes. At the helm of PASSION Planet, Allen directs a division renowned for groundbreaking nature documentaries that push the boundaries of conservation storytelling.
“Making films about our relationship with the wild, combining natural history with human drama, is what I have spent a lifetime trying to achieve.”
— David Allen, Director, Wilding
With credits that include Earth: A New Wild, H2O: The Molecule That Made Us, and The Serengeti Rules, Allen has earned five Emmys and twelve Wildscreen Pandas. His work consistently highlights the interconnectedness of species and ecosystems, making visible the hidden miracles of nature.
PASSION Planet is part of the award-winning PASSION Pictures group, a global production powerhouse known for its acclaimed animation and documentary films. Together, they continue to shape the future of conservation media.
Watch the Trailer & Join Us
Watch the Wilding trailer below to preview this extraordinary story of ecological hope. Then join us at one of the two island locations on Friday, May 16 at 7 PM for this unforgettable Best of the Fest screening event.
BEST OF THE FEST SERIES
Each month through September Best of the Fest presents award-winning documentaries along with Q&As with the films’ directors and subjects. Programs begin at 7 pm. They are offered in collaboration with the San Juan Island Library, the San Juan Island Grange, and the Lopez Island Library. Since they’re on Fridays, they are a great “date night” activity.
Here's the schedule:
Wilding – May 16 (SJI Grange/Lopez Island Library) - sponsored by Serendipity Books.
Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers – June 20 (San Juan Island Library, Lopez Island Library)
A Dream Takes Flight – August 22 (SJI Grange/Lopez Island Library).
Hvaldimir, Conversation with a Spy Whale – September 12 (San Juan Island Library, Lopez Island Library)
Details about all of the Best of the Fest films are available on HERE.
Mark your calendar and plan to view the exceptional Best of the Fest documentaries on either San Juan or Lopez Islands!
FHFF appreciates the 2025 Best of the Fest Series sponsor The Journal of the San Juan Islands!
