Wild and Free Film Festival Launch Party!

Inaugural Wild and Free Film Festival Launches This Fall in Santa Barbara & Goleta 

Bold Stories. Incredible Adventures. The Natural World Unleashed.

The Wild and Free Film Festival (WAFFF), presented by Santa Barbara Honda, kicks off on October 18th with a bold outdoor launch party at Elings Park, Santa Barbara.

This first-of-its-kind event will feature live music, food trucks, local beer and wine, an interactive nonprofit village, and a special guest conversation, culminating in a screening of The Goonies on a massive outdoor screen under the stars.

This is a family-friendly, community event you won’t want to miss. Come early, soak in the cool Elings Park vibes, and celebrate the launch of a bold new festival dedicated to wild storytelling and the natural world.

Outdoor Movie Night Highlights

• Elings Park, Santa Barbara – Saturday, October 18, 2025
• Live music from 80’s band – Neon Blonde!
• Multiple gourmet food trucks, local beer, and wine – (Food trucks TBA).
• An interactive nonprofit village featuring Explore Ecology, Santa Barbara Zoo, Girls Inc., 805 Film Co., and many more!
• Massive outdoor screening of The Goonies
• Special guests, giveaways & more
• Gates open at 5:30 pm, Movie at 8 pm, and tickets are on sale now at www.wildandfreefilm.org

“This isn’t your typical ‘environmental’ film festival,” said Gareth Kelly, Founder and Executive Director of WAFFF. “We wanted something more genre-defying, an event that brings people and the community together to celebrate the natural world and humanity’s place within it. And what better way to kick it off than with The Goonies!”

A month later, WAFFF continues with a three-day film festival at Camino Real Cinemas in Goleta from November 14–16, showcasing more than 30 films that span cultures, genres, and wild terrains — all united by a love for the outdoors and the stories that connect us to it. The festival will also feature filmmaker Q&As, filmmaker panels, award presentations, parties, and community events. Expect powerful screenings, unforgettable conversations, and experiences that inspire wonder and action.

The Wild and Free Film Festival is proudly supported by our presenting sponsor, Santa Barbara Honda, along with Yardi, UCLA Health, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the City of Goleta, Elings Park, Santa Barbara Zoo, South Coast Chamber of Commerce, Cox Communications, Echobend Pictures, Visit Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Independent, among many others.

About Wild and Free Film Festival

Wild and Free Film Festival (WAFFF) is a bold, independent film festival celebrating adventurous, diverse, and environmentally conscious storytelling from around the world. The festival aims to become a cultural destination event, inspiring audiences through thought-provoking films and community experiences. To this end, we are committed to showcasing films that defy genres, challenge the status quo, and ignite conversations. Born from a deep love for nature and a drive to celebrate every species, every ecosystem, and every storyteller — WAFFF is committed to expanding the definition of “nature films” to include unexpected, daring, and visually stunning perspectives, both documentary and narrative.