The Rocky Mountain Channel will present the third annual Estes Park Environmental Film Festival on May 15–16, 2026, at the Historic Park Theatre in downtown Estes Park.

The two-day festival will celebrate storytelling, science, and the natural world, while honoring the legacy of Emmy-winning filmmaker Nick Mollé, who died March 18 at the age of 79.

The event will feature a mix of award-winning films, world premieres, live music, filmmaker conversations, and community gatherings, all centered on adventure, conservation, and the future of the planet.

Festival organizers say this year’s event will bring together environmental filmmakers, scientists, musicians, and outdoor enthusiasts for an immersive weekend exploring both the beauty of wild places and the environmental challenges they face.

A highlight of the festival will be an exclusive sneak preview of Mollé’s new documentary, “Stream of Conscience: The Colorado.”

Tickets are $35 for a single-day pass and $60 for a two-day pass. Proceeds will benefit the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, supporting its work to protect and preserve public lands for future generations.

Festival schedule

Friday, May 15

The festival opens Friday with two films from Reel Rock 19, followed by a screening of Mollé’s Emmy-winning documentary, “Water: The Sacred Gift.”

3:30 p.m. — “Death of Villains.” The film follows former child climbing prodigy Kai Lightner as he confronts disordered eating while pursuing a groundbreaking 5.15 ascent.

5 p.m. — “Riders of the Storm.” Three Belgian climbers endure 18 days of extreme conditions during a daring alpine first ascent in Patagonia.

7 p.m. — “Water: The Sacred Gift.” The two-time Emmy Award-winning documentary from Nick Mollé Productions explores the importance of Rocky Mountain watersheds and the effects of a changing climate on those ecosystems.

Festivalgoers are also invited to stay for a special raffle, presented in partnership with the Estes Park Mountain Shop, for a chance to win outdoor gear.

Saturday, May 16

Saturday’s programming will celebrate Mollé’s longtime contributions to storytelling, conservation, music, and the natural world, while also highlighting new work from The Rocky Mountain Channel.

3:30 p.m. — “Wildside Australia.” A cinematic journey through Australia’s remote Northern Territory, featuring wildlife and rugged landscapes.

4:30 p.m. — Reception and cocktail hour. Attendees can meet filmmakers, scientists, and fellow festivalgoers in the Park Theatre lobby. Complimentary food will be provided, and a cash bar will be available.

5:30 p.m. — “Music in Wild Places.” A short film featuring local musicians performing in scenic locations across the Colorado Rockies.

  • p.m. — Live performance by Snowbelt

6:15 p.m. — Rocky Mountain Channel short films
Selections include “Hike to Mount Ida,”  “Finding the Universe,”  “Hike to Sky Pond with Nick Mollé,” and “A Tribute to Nick Mollé.”

7 p.m. — Sneak preview: “Stream of Conscience: The Colorado.” The festival will conclude with a first look at the anticipated sequel to “Water: The Sacred Gift,” tracing the Colorado River across the American West and examining the pressures it faces from climate change.

7:15 p.m. — Filmmaker and scientist Q&A. A live discussion with producers, directors and featured scientists will follow the screening.

Tickets are available through the Historic Park Theatre. Sponsors of the event include Visit Estes Park, Reel Rock 19, Estes Park Mountain Shop, Snowbelt, and the Historic Park.

From New York to Estes Park and across the globe

Mollé was from Mahopac, a census-designated hamlet in the town of Carmel in Putnam County, New York, a little over an hour north of New York City. He attended Syracuse University where he began his studies in biology before changing his major to theater, a move that eventually led him behind the camera and into documentary filmmaking.

As a kid, his family vacationed in Colorado, and, like many people who have experienced the Rockies as a child, Mollé was drawn to settle here after living in Seattle, where he was a test driver for BMW, and in Los Angeles. He met his wife, Mary Beth, in Boulder. The couple married in 1991 and settled in Estes Park, where they raised their daughters, Lauren and Claire.

Since the early 1990s, Mollé operated Nick Mollé Productions, the EPTV Channel 8, and the Rocky Mountain Channel in Estes Park. As a storyteller and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, his work focused on Rocky Mountain National Park, the American West, and the people and landscapes that define them.

One long-running series, “A Walk in the Park,” featured stories not only from Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park but also from the Costa Rican Rainforest, Alaska’s Prince William Sound, and Australia’s Northern Territory.

His 2025 documentary, “Water: The Sacred Gift,” earned two Emmy Awards at the Heartland Emmy Awards in Denver, winning for Director – Content and Photography – Content. The film was also nominated in the Environment/Science/Health/Medical/Technology – Long Form Content category.

In addition to its Emmy recognition, the documentary received two silver Telly Awards, one for Videography and Cinematography and one for Nature and Wildlife, and a bronze Telly Award for Film and Shorts.

Celebration of Life

The Mollé family is planning a public Celebration of Life for Sunday, May 3. Details about the time and location will be announced soon.