Eighth annual festival unveils its 2026 poster featuring artwork by Tom Henderson and launches November 5 in Carpinteria and November 6 in Los Olivos
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — The wonder of nature takes center stage, and this year, it is staying awhile. The eighth annual NatureTrack Film Festival returns November 5-6, 2026, with back-to-back opening nights in Carpinteria and Los Olivos, launching an expanded season of exhilarating adventures, compelling stories and astounding documentaries that will continue through October 2027.
The festival is also revealing its official 2026 artwork, “The Wonder of Nature,” a sweeping landscape by celebrated artist Tom Henderson. The image follows a winding path into the foothills, an invitation to leave the familiar behind and see the natural world with new eyes. Henderson will be recognized as the festival’s 2026 Honored Artist during both opening-night programs.
“This festival is about the moment a story changes the way we see the world outside our own door,” said Sue Eisaguirre, founder of NatureTrack. “By growing from two opening nights into a yearlong series, we can keep that sense of discovery alive, and keep bringing people together around the places, wildlife and ideas worth protecting.”
TWO COMMUNITIES AND ONE UNFORGETTABLE LAUNCH
Opening night begins Thursday, November 5, at The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Avenue in Carpinteria. The celebration continues Friday, November 6, at the Santa Ynez Valley Grange, 2374 Alamo Pintado Avenue in Los Olivos. Both evenings begin with a 6 p.m. reception featuring small bites, cocktails and conversation; theater programming starts at 7 p.m.
Each program will honor filmmaker Michael Love with the NatureTrack Outdoor Icon Award, followed by a compilation of his work and an onstage conversation moderated by Chris Jenkins. The evening will then continue with a special Opening Night feature from an award-winning filmmaker whose work was named Best Feature Film at the 2019 NatureTrack Film Festival and went on to receive multiple international awards. The film’s title, and additional opening-night surprises—will be revealed soon. A filmmaker Q&A and post-screening gathering will complete the evening.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
The Alcazar Theatre, Carpinteria
Reception at 6 p.m. | Program at 7 p.m.
Friday, November 6, 2026
Santa Ynez Valley Grange, Los Olivos
Reception at 6 p.m. | Program at 7 p.m.
THE FESTIVAL CONTINUES LONG AFTER OPENING NIGHT
The 2026 opening nights mark the beginning of NatureTrack’s most expansive screening season yet. Los Olivos will host ten monthly programs from January through October 2027, while Carpinteria will present every-other-month screenings from January through September. Together with a dedicated fifth-grade program, the season draws from more than 50 selected films spanning wildlife, oceans, migration, climate resilience, conservation, wild places and the people working to protect them.
Upcoming programs will travel from tropical whale habitat and Arctic ice to Irish rainforest, island ecosystems, open skies and California’s own coast. The result is not simply a film lineup, but a yearlong invitation to look closer, feel more deeply and reconnect with the living world.
EVENT INFORMATION- Tickets are NOW ON SALE- $25 General Admission
NatureTrack Film Festival Opening Nights
Thursday, November 5, 2026 — The Alcazar Theatre, Carpinteria
Friday, November 6, 2026 — Santa Ynez Valley Grange, Los Olivos
Reception at 6 p.m. | Program at 7 p.m.
naturetrackfilmfestival.org
ABOUT NATURETRACK FILM FESTIVAL
NatureTrack Film Festival uses the power of film to foster a lifelong fascination with nature. Through bold documentaries, intimate wildlife stories and cinematic adventures from around the world, the festival brings communities together to celebrate discovery, deepen understanding and inspire care for the natural world.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sue Eisaguirre
805-886-2047
