“Tales of the Gila Trout” explores efforts to protect the threatened Gila Trout, a species native to the Gila Wilderness, through the stories of fish biologists, volunteers, and US Forest Service Wranglers. Directed by Patricia Soto, Reyes Gabaldon and Luis Roman, with cinematography by Angel Salgado and sound design by Jarrett Gladstone.

The Gila Film School was a first-of-its-kind documentary filmmaking program at New Mexico State University, offered in collaboration with the Forest Service, with the objective of creating a showcase of short films for the Centennial Celebration of the Gila Wilderness. Thirteen students from diverse backgrounds took part in the immersive 3-semester program. In July 2022, the group spent twelve days in the Gila, making seven short documentaries about people living and working in the Gila Wilderness. The films reflect the unique natural, cultural and conservation history of the Gila, including Indigenous and Latino history. Through compelling human-interest stories, they explore the relationship between people and their natural environment, and the importance of protecting wilderness.

Learn more at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/l...