Submitted by the Friday Harbor Film Festival

“Return of the River,” winner of the 2014 Audience Choice Award, is Friday Harbor Film Festival’s next offering in The Director Series. Following a free online showing Thursday, June 16 from 6:30 to 9 pm at www.fhff.org, stream it on demand from June 17 – 29 for $1.95. This documentary follows a group of strong-minded, committed people as they attempt to change the public opinion of a town, and eventually the entire country, to remove both dams on the Elwha River in Washington State. It is the story of the largest dam removal and river restoration project in history, exploring an extraordinary community effort to set the river free and documenting an unlikely victory for environmental justice. The camera soars over mountain headwaters, dives into schools of salmon, and captures turbines grinding to a halt as the project takes shape. Return of the River features people and perspectives on all sides of the Elwha debate, reflecting the many voices of the adjacent valley. The community comes to a consensus, setting the Elwha River free and showing the way to a more sustainable future. Amid grim environmental news, Return of the River offers a story of hope and possibility.