Film on migratory songbirds screening in Manchester
MPERRY said
Mon Jan 1 8:09 PM, 2018
A powerful film: I'm also interested to know if there is any more data on bird strikes and high buildings in the UK? Is it mainly a coastal issue? Any possible sources of information?
This is topical as there are currently imminent planning applications for high rise buildings in central Manchester and I am sure more will follow. Also I believe that there is No Manchester planning policy on tall buildings! I have to say that I oppose some of these on aesthetic grounds, but the sheer numbers of birds lost in N.America is very disturbing. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks
The Producer spoke before the showing to say that the Messenger will be shown around the UK again, including in Sheffield but I don't have a date for that. It is available on DVD
http://songbirdsos.com/screenings/uk-screenings/
-- Edited by MPERRY on Monday 1st of January 2018 08:19:43 PM
Chris Porter said
Thu Nov 30 10:59 PM, 2017
Looks like a great documentary - shame I can't make the screening at Home on 29th Dec, but will get the DVD and give the coffee a go.
Having watched the trailer with the shocking number of bird casualties from hitting buildings, I couldn't help wondering how regular a phenomenon birds striking buildings in Manchester is. I remember some relatively recent cases of woodcocks and others being found after hitting some of the university buildings, but does this increase significantly in Manchester at times of year when birds are migrating - or is it more of an issue with perhaps newer cities/developments, possibly on coastlines which I expect would be along more established migratory routes?
Award-winning documentary film partners with UK producer of bird-friendly coffee to raise awareness of the plight of migratory songbirds
Feature length documentary The Messenger explores our deep-seated connection to birds and warns that the uncertain fate of songbirds might just mirror our own. Bird & Wild coffee is a UK supplier of bird-friendly coffee and donates 6% of sales to the RSPB.
At screenings of The Messenger in cinemas between October and December audiences will have the chance to win a goodie bag of Bird & Wild coffee and every sale of The Messenger on DVD will include a bag of Bird & Wild coffee. (An ideal Christmas gift for bird and nature lovers!)
The Messenger is an essential film for anyone who cares about the environment and nature and full of insights and revelations for all audiences, The Messenger explores mankind’s deep-seated connection to songbirds and the devastating impact humans have had on bird species, from urbanisation, climate change and pesticides.
Filmed across three continents The Messenger extends us a ‘birds’-eye view’ to offer fresh glimpses into epic migratory journeys while chronicling the struggle of songbirds worldwide to survive in turbulent environmental conditions. As scientists, activists and bird enthusiasts investigate this phenomenon, amazing secrets of the bird world come to light for the first time while beautiful slow motion photography illustrates the power and beauty of these delicate winged creatures.
The Messenger leaves viewers with a profound appreciation for the billions of birds with whom we share our communities and our planet – and with hope for our collective ability to turn the tide.
Bird & Wild is on a mission to help protect migrating birds, support the RSPB and offer people great tasting Fairtrade Organic coffee one cup at a time.
Every bag of Bird & Wild coffee sold helps the RSPB, the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre and the Fairtrade Foundation.
Working in partnership with the RSPB, Bird & Wild donates 6% of sales to the RSPB to help give nature a home plus Bird & Wild only roasts seasonal coffee certified as bird friendly and shade-grown by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre and contributes to support their research and conservation programs.
Through the partnership between The Messenger and Bird & Wild people across the UK can enjoy a visually thrilling eco-documentary while helping to support the nature on their doorsteps.
Screenings of The Messenger will feature guest hosts, including local Wildlife Trusts and RSPB groups. Bird & Wild is providing free goodie bags at screenings.
The Messenger will be available on DVD in December, each DVD will be shipped with a free bag of Bird & Wild coffee. Copies can be pre-ordered online at the early bird price of £15 (expires 30 November) and thereafter at £20.
Information about Bird & Wild and its work to support nature and birds can be found at: birdandwild.co.uk
ENDS
Interviews, Imagery and Bird Glossary
· Su Rynard, the director of The Messenger is available for phone/email interview. Please note: Su is Toronto-based so interviews will take place after 1pm UK-time.
· Guy Wilmot, founder of Bird & Wild is also available for interview.
“The Messenger is riveting, emotionally engaging, and visually extravagant from the first frame to the last. Up-to-the-minute facts on how birds communicate about environmental change are interwoven with gripping stories about the perils faced every year by these amazing world travellers. This is a must-see movie for anybody who values the natural world or wonders about its relationship to humans.”
John Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Here’s hoping The Messenger does for songbirds what The Cove did for dolphins and what Blackfish did for killer whales." Matt Mendenhall, BirdWatching
“The arguments are persuasive, the message from the birds powerful, and the film a rich and satisfying call to action that is presented with some novel ideas for how to restore the ecological balance.”
The New York Times – Critics Pick
Film Credits
Directed by Su Rynard. Written by Su Rynard and Sally Blake. Produced by Joanne Jackson, Sally Blake and Martin de la Fouchardière, Diane Woods and Su Rynard. SongbirdSOS is Canada/France co-production. Produced by SongbirdSOS Productions and Films à Cinq/ARTE France.
About the Director
Inspired by science, ecology, and the human relationship to the natural world, Su Rynard is known for her diverse range of film and media art works. Most recently, Rynard directed MOSQUITO (2017). Produced for the Discovery Network, narrated by Oscar® nominated Jeremy Renner. MOSQUITO premiered at AFI Docs and broadcast in over 220 countries and territories around the globe. Rynard’s documentary THE MESSENGER (2015) received nine awards, notably Best Conservation Documentary at Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, a Top Ten Audience Choice Award at Hot Docs and the Buffon Prize from the Pariscience International Film Festival. Her fiction film KARDIA (2006) was awarded the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the Hamptons Film Festival. Her films have screened in festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Rotterdam International Film Festival. Su Rynard is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and was a Director Resident at the Canadian Film Centre. Rynard’s media artwork has been exhibited at the MOMA in New York and the National Gallery of Canada.
THE MESSENGER – Awards and Accolades
Best Conservation Film, Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, USA 2015
Top Ten Audience Award, Hot Docs Film Festival, Canada 2015
Prix Buffon, Pariscience, Le Festival International du Film Scientifique, France 2016
Whistleblower Award Cinema Verde Environmental Film & Arts Festival, USA 2016
Best Environmental Film Prize, Festival de l'Oiseau et de la Nature, France 2016
Best Theatrical Feature, International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula, USA 2016
Best of Fest, International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula, Montana USA 2016
Special Jury Award, Visions of Nature/Voices of Nature Environmental Film Festival, USA 2016
Favorite Documentary Feature, North Bay Film Festival, Canada 2016
Carl Nunn Media and Conservation Award presented by Ontario Nature, 2015
Special Mention for Best Documentary, CinemAmbiente, Italy 2015
Nominated for Best Cinematography in a Feature Documentary, Canadian Screen Awards 2016
Nominated for Best Editing in Feature Documentary, Canadian Cinema Editors Award 2016
Nominated for Dutch Intl. Science Film Festival NTR Audience & Youth Jury Award, 2016
A powerful film: I'm also interested to know if there is any more data on bird strikes and high buildings in the UK? Is it mainly a coastal issue? Any possible sources of information?
This is topical as there are currently imminent planning applications for high rise buildings in central Manchester and I am sure more will follow. Also I believe that there is No Manchester planning policy on tall buildings! I have to say that I oppose some of these on aesthetic grounds, but the sheer numbers of birds lost in N.America is very disturbing. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks
The Producer spoke before the showing to say that the Messenger will be shown around the UK again, including in Sheffield but I don't have a date for that. It is available on DVD
http://songbirdsos.com/screenings/uk-screenings/
-- Edited by MPERRY on Monday 1st of January 2018 08:19:43 PM
Having watched the trailer with the shocking number of bird casualties from hitting buildings, I couldn't help wondering how regular a phenomenon birds striking buildings in Manchester is. I remember some relatively recent cases of woodcocks and others being found after hitting some of the university buildings, but does this increase significantly in Manchester at times of year when birds are migrating - or is it more of an issue with perhaps newer cities/developments, possibly on coastlines which I expect would be along more established migratory routes?
Watch the trailer here
Award-winning documentary film partners with UK producer of bird-friendly coffee to raise awareness of the plight of migratory songbirds
Feature length documentary The Messenger explores our deep-seated connection to birds and warns that the uncertain fate of songbirds might just mirror our own. Bird & Wild coffee is a UK supplier of bird-friendly coffee and donates 6% of sales to the RSPB.
At screenings of The Messenger in cinemas between October and December audiences will have the chance to win a goodie bag of Bird & Wild coffee and every sale of The Messenger on DVD will include a bag of Bird & Wild coffee. (An ideal Christmas gift for bird and nature lovers!)
The Messenger is an essential film for anyone who cares about the environment and nature and full of insights and revelations for all audiences, The Messenger explores mankind’s deep-seated connection to songbirds and the devastating impact humans have had on bird species, from urbanisation, climate change and pesticides.
Filmed across three continents The Messenger extends us a ‘birds’-eye view’ to offer fresh glimpses into epic migratory journeys while chronicling the struggle of songbirds worldwide to survive in turbulent environmental conditions. As scientists, activists and bird enthusiasts investigate this phenomenon, amazing secrets of the bird world come to light for the first time while beautiful slow motion photography illustrates the power and beauty of these delicate winged creatures.
The Messenger leaves viewers with a profound appreciation for the billions of birds with whom we share our communities and our planet – and with hope for our collective ability to turn the tide.
Bird & Wild is on a mission to help protect migrating birds, support the RSPB and offer people great tasting Fairtrade Organic coffee one cup at a time.
Every bag of Bird & Wild coffee sold helps the RSPB, the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre and the Fairtrade Foundation.
Working in partnership with the RSPB, Bird & Wild donates 6% of sales to the RSPB to help give nature a home plus Bird & Wild only roasts seasonal coffee certified as bird friendly and shade-grown by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre and contributes to support their research and conservation programs.
Through the partnership between The Messenger and Bird & Wild people across the UK can enjoy a visually thrilling eco-documentary while helping to support the nature on their doorsteps.
Screenings of The Messenger will feature guest hosts, including local Wildlife Trusts and RSPB groups. Bird & Wild is providing free goodie bags at screenings.
The Messenger will be available on DVD in December, each DVD will be shipped with a free bag of Bird & Wild coffee. Copies can be pre-ordered online at the early bird price of £15 (expires 30 November) and thereafter at £20.
Up-to-date details on screenings and the DVD can be found via www.pipocapictures.com/the-messenger
Cinema Listings:
Purbeck Film Festival @ The Rex Cinema, Wareham
Thursday 26 October
Broadway Cinema, Nottingham
Saturday 28 October
With Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Kino Kulture, Oswestry
Tuesday 31 October
Picturehouse @ FACT, Liverpool
Sunday 26 November
With RSPB Liverpool
Aldeburgh Cinema, Suffolk
Sunday 3 December
With the Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group and Suffolk Wildlife Trust
HOME, Manchester
Friday 29 December
With Producer Q&A - tbc
Running length: 90 minutes. Advisory rating – PG
Trailer: https://youtu.be/LjQtRr4CKcc
Twitter: @themessengerdoc
Facebook: @SongbirdSOSfilm
Information about Bird & Wild and its work to support nature and birds can be found at: birdandwild.co.uk
ENDS
Interviews, Imagery and Bird Glossary
· Su Rynard, the director of The Messenger is available for phone/email interview. Please note: Su is Toronto-based so interviews will take place after 1pm UK-time.
· Guy Wilmot, founder of Bird & Wild is also available for interview.
Contact sally@pipocapictures.com to arrange.
· Imagery can be downloaded via: https://we.tl/FcpEpPuCgX
NOTES TO EDITORS
Reviews and Endorsements
“The Messenger is riveting, emotionally engaging, and visually extravagant from the first frame to the last. Up-to-the-minute facts on how birds communicate about environmental change are interwoven with gripping stories about the perils faced every year by these amazing world travellers. This is a must-see movie for anybody who values the natural world or wonders about its relationship to humans.”
John Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Here’s hoping The Messenger does for songbirds what The Cove did for dolphins and what Blackfish did for killer whales." Matt Mendenhall, BirdWatching
“The arguments are persuasive, the message from the birds powerful, and the film a rich and satisfying call to action that is presented with some novel ideas for how to restore the ecological balance.”
The New York Times – Critics Pick
Film Credits
Directed by Su Rynard. Written by Su Rynard and Sally Blake. Produced by Joanne Jackson, Sally Blake and Martin de la Fouchardière, Diane Woods and Su Rynard. SongbirdSOS is Canada/France co-production. Produced by SongbirdSOS Productions and Films à Cinq/ARTE France.
About the Director
Inspired by science, ecology, and the human relationship to the natural world, Su Rynard is known for her diverse range of film and media art works. Most recently, Rynard directed MOSQUITO (2017). Produced for the Discovery Network, narrated by Oscar® nominated Jeremy Renner. MOSQUITO premiered at AFI Docs and broadcast in over 220 countries and territories around the globe. Rynard’s documentary THE MESSENGER (2015) received nine awards, notably Best Conservation Documentary at Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, a Top Ten Audience Choice Award at Hot Docs and the Buffon Prize from the Pariscience International Film Festival. Her fiction film KARDIA (2006) was awarded the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the Hamptons Film Festival. Her films have screened in festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Rotterdam International Film Festival. Su Rynard is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and was a Director Resident at the Canadian Film Centre. Rynard’s media artwork has been exhibited at the MOMA in New York and the National Gallery of Canada.
THE MESSENGER – Awards and Accolades
Best Conservation Film, Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, USA 2015
Top Ten Audience Award, Hot Docs Film Festival, Canada 2015
Prix Buffon, Pariscience, Le Festival International du Film Scientifique, France 2016
Whistleblower Award Cinema Verde Environmental Film & Arts Festival, USA 2016
Best Environmental Film Prize, Festival de l'Oiseau et de la Nature, France 2016
Best Theatrical Feature, International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula, USA 2016
Best of Fest, International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula, Montana USA 2016
Special Jury Award, Visions of Nature/Voices of Nature Environmental Film Festival, USA 2016
Favorite Documentary Feature, North Bay Film Festival, Canada 2016
Carl Nunn Media and Conservation Award presented by Ontario Nature, 2015
Special Mention for Best Documentary, CinemAmbiente, Italy 2015
Nominated for Best Cinematography in a Feature Documentary, Canadian Screen Awards 2016
Nominated for Best Editing in Feature Documentary, Canadian Cinema Editors Award 2016
Nominated for Dutch Intl. Science Film Festival NTR Audience & Youth Jury Award, 2016