Yosemite Film Festival & Storyteller Summit
Films, stories, and conversations rooted in climbing, stewardship, and Yosemite.
June 25-28, 2026 | Yosemite Valley
What It Is
The Yosemite Film Festival & Storyteller Summit is an educational and cultural program of the Yosemite Climbing Association. The festival brings together filmmakers, climbers, artists, historians, and land stewards to share stories connected to Yosemite and public lands.
Why It Exists
Through film, live conversation, and storytelling, the festival explores climbing history, stewardship, ethics, and the evolving relationship between people and place. It is designed as a space for learning, reflection, and connection, grounded in respect for Yosemite’s past and responsibility for its future.
This gathering reflects YCA’s belief that stories matter. When shared thoughtfully, they help preserve history, inspire care for public lands, and strengthen the communities that love them.
Film Submissions
What To Expect
The Yosemite Film Festival & Storyteller Summit is a place based gathering shaped by care and intention. Over several days, films and conversations open space to learn, reflect, and engage with Yosemite’s stories in ways that are grounded, respectful, and human scaled.
Curated film screenings focused on climbing, stewardship, and public lands
Conversations with filmmakers, climbers, historians, and land stewards
Storytelling that explores Yosemite’s past, present, and future
Educational programming rooted in ethics, interpretation, and care for place
Informal opportunities to gather, connect, and reflect as a community
The Yosemite Film Festival & Storyteller Summit welcomes film submissions that explore climbing, stewardship, public lands, and the stories that shape our relationship with place. We are especially interested in films that reflect care for context, ethics, and responsible storytelling.
Submissions are now open via FilmFreeway.
Why It Matters
Yosemite has always been shaped by stories. From Indigenous histories and early exploration to climbing culture and modern stewardship, the way stories are told influences how this place is understood, protected, and shared.
The Yosemite Film Festival & Storyteller Summit exists to create space for responsible storytelling that honors complexity, context, and care for place. By centering voices connected to Yosemite and public lands, the festival encourages deeper understanding and long term stewardship.
As a program of the Yosemite Climbing Association, the festival supports YCA’s broader mission to preserve climbing history, promote ethical engagement with public lands, and foster a thoughtful, inclusive community rooted in respect for Yosemite National Park.