For the first time, one of the nation’s premier film festivals is coming to St. Louis, bringing a world-class celebration of film, storytelling and conservation with the inaugural Mound City Film Series, a special celebration of the 60th anniversary of Open Space STL.

Running monthly from April through September, the film series will bring together documentary films, live music and curated culinary experiences at 4 Hands Brewing Co. in downtown St. Louis.

Paying homage to the region’s deep historical and Indigenous roots and recognizing its significance as a cultural and geographical landmark, the Mound City Film Series will have the following schedule:

Wed., April 23: Interwoven: Stories of Land, Water and Community

• Opening night explores mankind’s deep and complex relationship with nature, from melting icebergs to resilient communities and the lasting footprints humans leave on the environment. Through stories of connection, impact and stewardship, these films invite viewers to reflect on their role in shaping the world around them.
• Featured films: I Am The Nature, UsuGiliz Awakun, Mama’s Sundry and Footprints on Katmai

Wed., May 28: Pedal & Persevere: Stories of Grit, Growth and the Ride Ahead

• This edition of the series celebrates the spirit of cycling, whether it’s the simple joy of a fall ride, the challenge of pushing limits or the power of biking to create change. These films showcase resilience, adventure and the transformative impact of two wheels on both individuals and communities.
• Featured films: Fall Harvest, Time Is A Funny Thing, Leaving a Tread, Bicycle Island, Building the Buffalo and Mr. Cato

Wed., June 18: Threads of Life: Finding Our Place in Nature

• These films invite viewers to reflect on their connection to the natural world, whether through solitude, the vastness of time, the wisdom of wildlife or the delicate balance of ecosystems. These films explore how people observe, learn from and coexist with nature, a reminder that humans are just one thread in the intricate web of life.
• Featured films: The Rock Pool Waltz; To Scale: Time; The Silverback; Flora, Fauna and Funga; and The Last Observers

Wed., July 23: Beyond the Summit: Adventure, Resilience and the Human Spirit

• Embark on a journey through breathtaking landscapes, daring feats and personal transformation. From soaring above deserts to conquering unseen peaks, these films explore the physical and mental challenges of mountain sports while highlighting the deeper search for peace, connection and meaning in the wild.
• Featured films: Desert Wings, Freya, Above the Noise, Re (by Iz La Motte), Unseen Peaks, The Ghost Resorts: Japan, The Draconians and Lexicon

Wed., Aug. 20: Waterlines: Journeys of Resilience, Reverence and Reckoning

• Flow through stories of perseverance, discovery and the urgent realities of our changing waterways. From the hidden life of streams to the vanishing Arctic ice, these films explore the power of water to sustain, challenge and demand attention.
• Featured films: Obibini, Asking Less, Judy’s Creek: Discovering the Secret Life of the Streambed, Near the River, Healy and The Wintering Grounds

Wed., Sept. 24: Unseen Currents: Culture, Conservation and Change

• To conclude the series, travel across the globe to explore the deep connections between people, land and culture. From communities fighting deforestation to unexpected social movements and the consequences of consumerism, these films challenge viewers to see the world through new lenses, revealing resilience, resistance and the shifting landscapes that shape the future.
• Featured films: Cham, Inda Apai Darah (Mother, Father, Blood), The Ugandan Quidditch Movement, Wild Hogs and Saffron and The Shit-thropecen