Lookout Wild Film Festival Highlights

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The 14th annual Lookout Wild Film Festival wrapped up this past weekend at UTC’s Fine Arts Center, celebrating adventure, conservation, and storytelling in the outdoors. 

Over 100 films from local and international creators were screened across four days, covering a range of topics from high-energy outdoor adventures to environmental conservation and humor. 

The festival drew filmmakers and audiences passionate about exploring and protecting the natural world, offering a mix of short films, full-length features, and documentary-style storytelling.

This year, the festival placed a special emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, featuring films like Best Day Ever, an adaptive biking story that highlighted how simple trail changes could make outdoor recreation available to everyone, regardless of physical ability. 

Attendees also had the chance to engage directly with filmmakers through Q&A panels, social events, and discussion sessions, creating opportunities for conversation and learning while connecting with the broader outdoor community.

As festival Director Steve Rogers reflected “we’ve had some filmmakers that from the first year in 2013. They were student filmmakers and now they’ve gone on to become world famous filmmakers that we watch that’s been fun to watch.” 

“The first weekend we had about 300 people, I think, and in 2020 we sold out the Tivoli, which was close to 5000 people over the weekend,” Rogers continued. 

This year, the festival drew hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate nature, adventure, and storytelling.

Beyond the screenings, the festival also showcased innovative environmental projects and community initiatives, highlighting ways attendees could engage with conservation efforts locally and globally. 

With its mix of entertainment, education, and inspiration, the Lookout Wild Film Festival continued to grow as a hub for adventure lovers, storytellers, and conservation advocates, making it a must-see event for anyone passionate about the outdoors.