From March 14 to 24, 2024, the Living Rivers Foundation will host the Main RiverFilmFest, celebrating vibrant rivers and highlighting the challenges they confront. In various cities along the Main River, the festival will feature a selection of European and international short films showcasing the interconnectedness of river communities and our shared responsibility for waterway preservation.
One of the festival’s highlights is “Dam Removal: More Space for Austria’s Rivers,” offering a unique perspective on the transformative impact of dam removal. Another film, “Pegnitz Becomes a ‘River Freer’ Community,” explores local efforts to dismantle unused weirs near Pegnitz, enabling fish passage and revitalising river habitats. Additionally, “Water Lost and Returned” from the Czech Republic documents the restoration of water landscapes in Šumava National Park. These films will fuel discussions on environmental topics like dam removal and river restoration, microplastics, water retention, climate change, and river conservation research.
Moderated discussions throughout the festival will provide insights into regional initiatives. In Würzburg, Stefanie Schiche will discuss the removal of transverse structures at the Streu and Bahra Rivers. Sigrun Lange will delve into dam removal on the Pegnitz River in Bayreuth, and in Bamberg, a status update on the barrier removal project initiated by last year’s WWF Germany competition will be provided.
Supported by the European Open Rivers Programme, Main RiverFilmFest shorts 2024 will also feature springtime MainCleanUps along the Main River, collecting litter from the riverbanks and associated areas. For the festival trailer, the 2024 program, additional speakers, and more information visit their website.
