The American Conservation Film Festival hosted its second annual spring fundraiser by screening one of the Festival’s most popular films from the past year, bringing a special guest for discussion and providing merriment and sustenance for its attendees. Ben Masters, the impetus behind and star of the acclaimed 2015 film, Unbranded, about the plight of America’s wild mustangs on public lands in the west, came from Bozeman, Montana, to answer questions and share stories about his adventure with the crowd of over 125 guests.

After screening the film at Shepherd University’s Reynolds Hall, guests were escorted down King and Washington Streets by two equestrians and their horses from Whiting’s Neck Equestrian Center to drinks, dinner, discussion, and a live auction at Town Run Brewing Company. Guests came from Shepherdstown, Charles Town, Martinsburg, Winchester, Clarke County (Virginia), Middleburg, Washington, DC, and western Maryland. $7,000 was raised for ACFF and $3,000 was raised for the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s Veterans Program, which will fund the adoption of a wild mustang and a 100-day training program for both horse and military veteran.

This festive event was a success thanks to the support and assistance of many people who contributed in many ways: event sponsor Melanie Hitchen and TDC Virginia; filmmaker Ben Masters; the great staff of Town Run Brewing Company; Shepherd University; Kelly Heaton Burns, Peter Miller, Christian Caine, the Contemporary American Theater Festival, Lauren Ames, Karen Kinnett, and Catherine Irwin for donation of auction items; Richard Rhinehart & Reba Merritt from Whiting’s Neck Equestrian Center; the Shepherdstown Police and town office; Jeff Feldman, CCHA President and auctioneer, and the CCHA Board; our terrific volunteers who helped organize and set up; and all our auction item purchasers.

And thank you to all who attended and support ACFF and the exceptional stories we have to share. We are grateful to be a part of such a fantastic community!

Jennifer Lee

Development & Communications Director

American Conservation Film Festival