In ‘Once Upon a Wetland’, a heartwarming and quirky documentary set in Durham, North Carolina, the nearly two-decade-old Beaver Queen Pageant shines as a beacon of hope and celebration. This unique fundraising event for the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association combines environmental activism with LGBTQIA+ pride, showcasing a community’s resilience and joy in the face of climate change and growing anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation in the South. The film highlights the pageant’s role as both a jubilant expression of diverse identities and a powerful statement against rising gun violence targeting the LGBTQ community, offering a touching reminder of the power of inclusivity and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels celebrated. Told through the experiences of competitors, organizers, and the local community ‘Once Upon a Wetland’ is not just a story about a quirky pageant; it’s a testament to the unyielding spirit of a community that refuses to be silenced, blending humor and whimsy to deliver a profound message of hope and unity.