Saturday, April 19
Lost Wolves of Yellowstone
Saturday, April 19
7:00pm
(6:15pm Doors open)
The Wilma Theater
Post-screening panel discussion with professor Dr. Will Rice, M.S. student Miranda Foster, and photographer Tom Murphy. The director of the Wildlife Biology Program, Dr. Chad Bishop, will moderate the discussion.
Reserved and General Admission seating available.
*Please note, this screening will be held at the Wilma Theater. Roxy member benefits do not apply to this special event.
Lost Wolves of Yellowstone is a thrilling feature documentary derived from primary 16mm film footage -recovered and restored for the first time – and in-depth interviews with the key players at the center of the historic Yellowstone Wolf reintroduction. The narrative follows the eternally interconnected stories of Mollie Beattie and Wolf #5 – the alpha female of the Mollie’s Pack. Mollie Beattie was the first female director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Her unprecedented journey included a brief stint as a fashion model in New York and a life-changing Outward Bound expedition that inspired her to pursue a career in environmental science and conservation.
In January 1995, Mollie initiated the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone, one of the most controversial and ambitious wildlife restoration projects in recorded human history. It was a “Grand Experiment”. Molly testified and debated wolf critics in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and ultimately forged unlikely friendships with her adversaries – most notably Republican Congressman Don Young from Alaska.
The first wolf that Mollie carried into the experimental acclimation pens in Yellowstone was Alpha Female #5. The matriarch was captured with five of her family members in the remote Canadian wilderness. Nobody knew if the translocated pack would survive. In the harrowing early years of the reintroduction, Wolf #5 lived out a Shakespearean drama set in the world’s first national park. Her mate, Alpha Male #4, was killed by the rival Druid Pack, while her many offspring dispersed.
In the Summer of 1995, just months after the wolves arrived in Yellowstone, Mollie Beattie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. She was only 49 years-old and chose to continue to work behalf of wolves and endangered species. As Molly fought for her life, Alpha Female #5 searched for a new territory in most remote regions of Yellowstone. She would go on to find a new mate and re-build her pack from the ashes – a family that Yellowstone officials named, Mollie’s Pack.
Director’s Statement
I first documented wild wolves in Yellowstone back in 2003. Now, twenty years later, I’m thrilled to be sharing the origin story of one of the greatest species comebacks, alongside the remarkable and untold life of environmental trailblazer, Mollie Beattie.
Lost Wolves of Yellowstone represents a culmination of decades of work in my own proverbial “backyard” – Yellowstone. I don’t believe I could have told the authentic wolf origin story without the hundreds of field days spent documenting the wolf behavior on film, and forming longstanding and personal relationships with the biologists who oversaw the reintroduction. These deep connections go far beyond the typical timeline of a single production and led our team to search for – and locate – the lost 16mm film footage from 1995 and 1996, when the wolves first arrived. Additionally, every time I filmed the “Mollie’s” wolves in the present day, I was reminded of the pack’s namesake: Mollie Beattie. While her name lives on with those wolves, very few know her story. I couldn’t be more grateful to her family, including those who appear in the film, for their willingness to share Mollie’s singular legacy with the project.
After committing to making the film, my most difficult choice was to remain truly INDEPENDENT throughout production and the editing process. In previous documentary projects, I’ve experienced how easy it is for outside influences (such as financiers or commissioners) to sacrifice authenticity and honesty in the name of perceived commercial viability. We were able to raise funds through grants and donations and move all the way to a Director’s cut, prior to screening to our eventual co-production partner, IMAX. IMAX never pushed us to make changes outside of our own and we couldn’t be more thrilled with their commitment to the story we chose to tell.
Tom Winston
Director & Producer
Key Contributors / Production Team
Doug Smith – Yellowstone Wolf Biologist & Project Leader
Doug Smith is celebrated for his pioneering work in wolf conservation. As the leader of the Yellowstone Wolf Project for over 25 years (1997 – 2022), he was pivotal to the successful reintroduction of gray wolves to World’s First National Park. Smith’s research on wolf behavior, predator-prey dynamics, and the cascading effects of wolf reintroduction has significantly advanced our understanding of these apex predators and their role in healthy ecosystems. His work has been widely recognized, influencing both scientific and public discourse on wolf conservation.
Mike Phillips – Conservation Biologist
Mike Phillips is recognized for his instrumental role in restoring wolves to the American West. As the original leader of the Yellowstone Wolf Project (1995-1997), he spearheaded the successful reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park, a landmark achievement in wildlife conservation. Phillips’ contributions extend beyond wolf recovery, encompassing a wide range of endangered species conservation efforts. He currently serves as the Director of the Turner Endangered Species Fund, continuing his dedication to protecting imperiled species and inspiring conservation action.
Thomas Winston – Director & Producer
Tom is an EMMY® award winning filmmaker and the founder/CEO of Grizzly Creek Films, an independent production company headquartered in Montana. Tom and his team have created original series and documentary films for Disney+, National Geographic, Hulu, Amazon and PBS. His films have been screened and honored at the world’s premier festivals, including Tribeca, BFI London, Mill Valley, Jackson Wild, Wildscreen and The International Rome Film Festival.
Avela Grenier – Editor
Avela brings a background in design to her role as a producer and editor. Her editing work spans short form campaigns, episodic series, and documentary film. She has produced shows for NatGeo Wild, History Channel, and Smithsonian Channel. Avela edited and produced the award-winning feature documentary, Rewind (Independent Lens, PBS) and received a 2021 EMMY® nomination for Outstanding Documentary Editing.
Sponsors
Sunday, April 20
Family Friendly: The Americas – The Wild West & Animal Wonders
The Americas – The Wild West: Five years in the making and filmed over 180 expeditions, this groundbreaking series reveals the spectacular landscapes of Earth’s most varied landmass–the only one to stretch between both poles. The unprecedented scale and ambition of The Americas delivers remarkable world firsts: new species, new courtship, dramatic deep sea hunting and some of nature’s strangest stories – even a frog that seems to defy death every day.
Following the screening, Animal Wonders will enchant the audience with a special presentation.
Sponsors
Tuesday, April 22
A Balancing Act: New Threats to Recovering Endangered Species – Salmon, Wolves, and Grizzlies
An Evening with IWFF and the University of Montana Wildlife Biology Program
Tuesday, April 22
6:30pm
University Center Theater
Post screening panel discussion with professor Dr. Will Rice, M.S. student Miranda Foster, and photographer Tom Murphy. The director of the Wildlife Biology Program, Dr. Chad Bishop, will moderate the discussion.
Free and Open to Public
FROZEN FRAMES: MURPHY’S YELLOWSTONE
Photographer Tom Murphy has dedicated his life to speaking out for the wildlife of Yellowstone. In the dead of winter, Murphy treks deep into the park to capture the lives and struggles of those who survive there. His remarkable photographs capture both the magnificence of Yellowstone and one man’s tenacious dedication to protect what’s still wild.
SALMON SECRETS
Fish farming is pushing wild salmon to the brink of extinction. The federal government has promised to remove fish farms from British Columbia waters by 2025, but now industry is pushing back. Join Clayoquot Action’s fish farm watchdog program as a team of underwater cinematographers investigates an “experimental” fish farm near Tofino. What they find shocks them, and spells potential disaster for wild salmon.
Thursday, April 24
Family-Friendly: Coral Sea + Music Time with SISBRO
Thursday, April 24
5:15pm
The Roxy Theater
Buy Tickets
About SISBRO
Founded by the sister/brother team of Laura and Robert Sams, Sisbro Studios is an award-winning media and video production company based in Portland, Oregon that creates mega-awesome kids programming, moving documentaries, mind-blowing science content and memorable music.
Visit SISBRO’s WebsiteCoral Sea
Legend has it that the islands of the Coral Sea are built on the back of a giant sea turtle. Saltwater runs through the veins of the local people, who are deeply connected to the ocean. The Coral Sea islands are also some of the most important sanctuaries for endangered green sea turtles in the world. Join local conservationists as they safeguard the future of green sea turtles, one tiny new hatchling at a time.
Get your Feet Wet Series (selected episodes)
Following the films, SISBRO will enchant the audience with a special presentation including songs, sketches, interactivity, and Mega-Awesome content for the whole family.
Sponsors
Thursday, April 24
IWFF Closing Party
Thursday, April 24
7:30 – 10pm
Montana Natural History Center
Free and Open to Public
Join the IWFF community at the Montana Natural History Center for our closing party. Chat with filmmakers, enjoy food and drink, and reflect on festival favorites.
Sponsor
