The wonder of nature takes center stage at the eighth annual NatureTrack Film Festival with back-to-back opening nights, Nov. 5-6, in Carpinteria and Los Olivos.

The two events initiate an expanded season of adventures, stories and documentaries that continue through October 2027.

The festival is also revealing its official 2026 artwork “The Wonder of Nature,” a sweeping landscape by artist Tom Henderson, who will be recognized as the festival’s 2026 Honored Artist during both opening-night programs.

Henderson’s piece follows a winding path into the foothills, an invitation to leave the familiar behind and see the natural world with new eyes, event organizers said.

“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.”

Opening night Thursday, Nov. 5 will be at The Alcazar Theatre, 4916 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, and Friday, Nov. 6 at Santa Ynez Valley Grange, 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos.

Both events begin with a 6 p.m. reception featuring small bites and cocktails; 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 Opening Night feature film from an award-winning filmmaker whose work was named Best Feature Film at the 2019 NatureTrack Film Festival will follow. A filmmaker Q&A and post-screening gathering will complete the evening.

During NatureTrack’s 2026 expanded screening season, Los Olivos will host 10 monthly programs, January through October. Carpinteria will present every-other-month screenings, 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,” organizers said.

Upcoming programs will travel from tropical whale habitat and Arctic ice to Irish rainforest, island ecosystems, open skies and California’s coast.

Tickets are on sale now here, $25 for general admission.

NatureTrack Film Festival uses the power of film to foster a lifelong fascination with nature.