Local film on Elwha River honored at national wildlife summit

As salmon return to the Elwha valley this fall, “Return of the River,” a feature documentary about Elwha River restoration, is receiving recognition on the national stage.

Last week the film won two awards at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, a summit and celebration of wildlife and conservation media. The film was recognized for conservation impact and received the Marian Zunz award for emerging filmmakers.

Co-directed by Olympic Peninsula residents John Gussman and Jessica Plumb (pictured above, at the festival), “Return of the River” was among almost 1,000 submissions to this prestigious event and also was one of three finalists for best writing in wildlife film.

At the award ceremony, Plumb said, “It may years to make a film, but it took decades to free a river; this award belongs to all who worked to restore the Elwha River.”

The film will have a New York premiere on Oct. 22 at the New York Wildlife Conservation Festival. Learn more about “Return of the River” at www.elwhafilm.com.