Kathy Dotson, Director of SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic® Environmental Film Festival since its inaugural event in 2003, will be stepping down from her leadership role at the conclusion of this weekend’s festival, the South Yuba River Citizen’s League (SYRCL) has announced. The eighth annual Festival will be held in Nevada City January 15th – 17th, 2010.
In its eight years under Dotson, the Festival has screened more than 2,000 films by more than 500 filmmakers, welcomed more than 20,000 Festival attendees and created Wild & Scenic On-Tour, which has brought a selection of festival films to over 400 towns and cities across the country.
“It would be impossible to overstate Kathy’s role in the Film Festival,” SYRCL Executive Director Jason Rainey said. “She does the big picture work of shaping the film program and building relationships with filmmakers, and then assembles the countless details that make the show come together. She’s tremendously talented and works harder than anyone I know. As the defining figure for Wild & Scenic and much of our style this past decade, she’s more than earned her place in a SYRCL Hall of Fame. There will be no replacing Kathy Dotson, yet the show will go on.”
Wild & Scenic began as a modest fundraising event for SYRCL and has evolved into one of the major environmental events in the nation. Under Dotson, the Festival grew from three venues to eight venues and expanded to include activist trainings and workshops, evening dances, a wine stroll, art shows, filmmaker lunches, book signings and live video streaming.
Since joining the SYRCL staff in 2000 Dotson has served as RiverPeople Director and Editor-in-Chief of SYRCL’s quarterly Sierra Citizen. A skilled graphic designer, Dotson has crafted the artwork for SYRCL’s posters, publications, and events, including the Film Festival.
“Under Kathy’s direction the Festival has become a reflection of SYRCL’s commitment to the community, as well as a vehicle to inform, inspire, and entertain people. It’s a call to action to leave our planet in better shape than we found it, and to have some fun while doing it. I can’t imagine a more fitting legacy for someone of Kathy’s skill, spirit and heart,” SYRCL Director John Regan said.
Prior to working at SYRCL, Dotson managed local Grateful Dead cover band The Deadbeats and created their distinctive artwork and posters, and worked as a camp counselor and taught at John Woolman School. Dotson has established her own design firm with a roster of clients in the nonprofit, business, and arts communities.
“I am so lucky to have had a job that not only suited me and my skills, but also one that I was excited to go to every morning. I feel so blessed to have worked with such an incredible organization and team of people. But it’s been the community of SYRCL, the volunteers and supporters, who have really helped to create a home for me in Nevada City. I am lucky to have that support and family around me,” Dotson said.
At the conclusion of January’s Film Festival, SYRCL will begin a national search for a Wild & Scenic Program Director. Information about the position and is requirements can be found at www.yubariver.org and www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org.
