The festival features films by renowned storytellers from National Geographic, the BBC, and seven award-winning regional wildlife filmmakers. Among its highlights are stories of untamed wildness and the indomitable human spirit.
Film screenings take place at the historic Columbian Theater. There are six film blocks, each approximately two hours long.
There will also be local pop-up events in Astoria. These informal gatherings are open to the public and feature special panel discussions. Attendees can eat, drink, and nerd-out on conservation topics.
We will be bringing back the very popular photo walk again this year! Join Morgan Heim (National Geographic Explorer & member of the International League of Conservation Photographers), Gretchen Kay Stuart ( also with the International League of Conservation Photographers) for a morning of photo adventure along the river in Astoria. More details to come.
Join the Wildlife Center of the North Coast for a special tour of their property and wildlife rehabilitation clinic, plus an introduction to the center’s ambassador birds. Supporting WCNC is at the heart of the Wild Coast Film Festival, and we’re excited to offer passholders the chance to visit the center and see their important work in action.
location and details to come
This event is open to Saturday Day Pass and Weekend All-Access Pass holders. To reserve a ticket, please purchase one of these passes.
Celebrate the 2026 Wild Coast Film Festival with our event sponsors at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The museum’s stunning event space, offering breathtaking views of the river, will host the festivities.
Additional details to come.
This event is open to Weekend All-Access Pass holders. To reserve a ticket, please purchase one of these passes.
location and details to come
This event is open to Sunday Day Pass and Weekend All-Access Pass holders. To reserve a ticket, please purchase one of these passes.
Join staff from the Wildlife Center of the North Coast for an engaging look at wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education on the North Coast. Learn about the vital work of WCNC’s wildlife rehabilitators, ask questions, and connect with representatives from local conservation organizations, who will be on hand with informational tables and resources.
Join filmmakers whose work is featured in the festival for a discussion about their films, conservation filmmaking, and more!
more information coming soon
Astoria, Oregon is balanced at the edge of the Columbia River, one of North America’s mightiest rivers. With a history steeped in reliance on its wild bounty and millions drawn in by its mist-filled forests, beachcombing elk, wild oceans, legendary salmon, and excellent beer, it is only natural that it be the place to showcase how we survive from the land, care for it, are shaped and awed by it.
This celebration is the brainchild of the Wildlife Center of the North Coast, which rescues between 500 and 1,000 wild animals a year, and Astoria-based Neon Raven Story Labs, a conservation production company working with nonprofits and outlets such as Smithsonian, National Geographic, and Audubon.
Proceeds benefit the Wildlife Center of the North Coast.
The Wildlife Center of the North Coast was established in 1997 by Sharnelle Fee, who had a vision to care for native Oregon wildlife by providing both rehabilitation and education. The Wildlife Center currently operates in Astoria, Oregon, providing wildlife rehabilitation for injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife on the north coast. They operate a wildlife crisis hotline for the public, and provide long-term rehabilitation care for seabirds transferred from other centers all around Oregon.
The mission of The Wildlife Center of the North Coast is to promote compassion, empathy, and respect for all life through rehabilitation, ecological teachings, and wildlife conservation. They offer educational programs, including summer camps, public tours, and an educational ambassador program with native Oregon bird species.
Through these programs, they educate Oregonians about the diversity and importance of native wildlife, provide outdoor education experiences for children living on the north coast, and provide resources to members of the public seeking to coexist with native wildlife in their communities.
Neon Raven Story Labs is a storytelling platform connecting conservation to our everyday lives. Founded by Morgan Heim, a Senior Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers, National Geographic grantee, and friend of The Wildlife Center of the North Coast, Neon Raven produces stories for outlets such as National Geographic, Audubon, Smithsonian and Newsweek, with films in Telluride and Banff Mountain Film Festivals, Jackson Wild, and Wild & Scenic.
more information coming soon!
Urban Safari: Photo Walk on the Astoria Riverwalk with conservation photographers Morgan Heim and Gretchen Kay Stuart, and representatives from Pro Photo Supply and Sony.
Guided Tour: Wildlife Center of the North Coast
Columbian Theater
1102 Marine Dr
Astoria, OR
(Tickets $15 online or at the door)
Guided Nature Walk: more information coming soon!
Fort George Brewing
1483 Duane Street
Astoria, OR
more information coming soon!
Columbian Theater
1102 Marine Dr
Astoria, OR
(Tickets $15 online or at the door)
more information coming soon!
Fort George Brewing
1483 Duane Street
Astoria, OR
filmmaker discussion panel
Columbian Theater
1102 Marine Dr
Astoria, OR
(Tickets $15 online or at the door)
more information coming soon!
FESTIVAL PARTY
Columbia River Maritime Museum
1792 Marine Drive
Astoria, Oregon
Celebrate the third edition of the 2026 Wild Coast Film Festival with a passholder party at the Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Guided Nature Walk: more information coming soon!
Columbian Theater
1102 Marine Dr
Astoria, OR
(Tickets $15 online or at the door)
more information coming soon!
location t.b.d.
more information coming soon!
Columbian Theater
1102 Marine Dr
Astoria, OR
(Tickets $15 online or at the door)
more information coming soon!
