The River

After 5 million years, the Colorado River fights to survive — and an unlikely ensemble of people across the basin must defend their way of life while reckoning with the choices that brought it to the brink.

The River is a feature documentary directed by Mara Gasbarro Tasker about the Colorado River at a critical moment in her life. After 5 million years of existence, this once-thriving life source to millions of people and animals is on the brink of collapse, as human consumption, booming industry, and climate change threaten to dry up its already depleted reservoirs forever. An unlikely ensemble of people who depend on the river must defend their way of life against modern pressures and unjust laws — and reckon with the choices that have led to this disaster and the uncertain future ahead.

The film had its world premiere at the 2026 Boulder International Film Festival on April 11, 2026, with a second screening on April 12. Produced by Michael Steiner, Paula DuPré Pesmen, and Camilla Mazzaferro, with executive producers Melissa Grumhaus, Luke Mazzaferro, Al Hicks, Ted Kowalski, Tasha Allyn, and Palladium Foundation.