Documentaries and Conferences 

The names of nearly 150 bird species in North America are now considered problematic, sparking a wide debate within the ornithological community. A Canadian film crew, including members from BIPOC and queer communities in ornithology, explores the cultural, historical, and ecological dimensions of this issue.

The documentary follows the movement to rename species that were once named after controversial historical figures, in connection with issues of conservation and equity.

In a context of declining bird populations and growing social tensions, the film questions the impact of names on our understanding of the living world and on contemporary societal issues.

Aliya Jasmine is an environmental journalist by training (MA, FRCGS) who has spent the past two decades as a leading television host, director, and producer. Her award-winning stories have aired on national and local television networks, including NBC News, NBCUniversal, CTV Bell Media, MTV News, IMPACT, Discovery Channel, and others.

She is the co-founder of Earth Tones, an environmentally focused production company, where she is directing her first feature-length documentary, Lion Bridge. AJ holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Journalism from the University of Southern California, a certificate in Social Media and Digital Marketing from Harvard University, and a bilingual (French and English) Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Ottawa.

This documentary follows the Reiser brothers, two passionate nature enthusiasts who embark on the adventure of a “Big Year”, a challenge to observe as many bird species as possible within a single year. Traveling across the United States in an old minivan, they spend twelve months searching for the country’s rarest birds and visiting its most renowned birding hotspots.

Beyond the simple quest for new species, the film explores the culture of “listers” (those who check off species on their lists), those amateur ornithologists who meticulously tally the species they observe, as well as the motivations, rivalries, and obsessions that drive some birdwatching enthusiasts. The brothers meet several prominent figures in the community and discuss topics such as the use of modern tools like eBird and Merlin, the ethics of song identification, and the increasingly competitive nature of birdwatching.

A professional wildlife photographer, Owen Reiser has produced imagery featured by National Geographic and has built a strong reputation for the quality of his bird and wildlife photography and videography.

This film is a dynamic account of natural science research on the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis). It interweaves the story of the species’ life, its interactions with other animals and humans, and the scientific study of its ecology and behaviour. Viewers are introduced to the mysterious life of one of Europe’s largest owls, a species known for its exceptional aggressiveness during the nesting season.

The film also highlights a range of human activities related to its conservation and management, including the rehabilitation of injured birds at a wildlife rescue centre, captive breeding and reintroduction efforts in Austria, the impacts of deforestation, an unusual encounter with a Ural Owl in an urban environment, and a fascinating hunting story. As the documentary unfolds, it reveals the species’ remarkably unusual behaviour, both by day and by night, while showcasing the latest scientific discoveries of Slovenian biologist Dr. Al Vrezec, one of the world’s leading experts on the Ural Owl.

Matej Vranič is a Slovenian wildlife photographer and filmmaker renowned for his work focusing on nature and wildlife. The recipient of several awards, he was notably named Slovenia’s Nature Photographer of the Year in 2017. His photographs have appeared in numerous books, magazines, and exhibitions, including publications by National Geographic Slovenia, for which he has also produced several feature stories. Passionate about the animal world for more than three decades, he has specialized in creating nature documentaries. His films, including Wild Slovenia and Birds of the Lakes Return, have won numerous international awards and have been broadcast by television networks around the world.

One of the largest colonies of Scopoli’s shearwater birds in the Mediterranean lives on the small Italian volcanic island of Linosa, south of Sicily. According to legend, the birds, with their distinctive voice, provided the inspiration for Homer’s epic poem: Odysseus had himself tied to the mast of his ship so he could safely listen to the song of the Sirens.

The birds are almost impossible to observe during the day. Only at night can the unusual, almost wailing calls of the Scopoli’s shearwaters be heard on land. These mysterious birds travel 40 to 50,000 kilometers across the Atlantic each year. They arrive in Europe between February and October for the breeding season. One of the largest colonies of shearwaters in the Mediterranean lives on the small Italian volcanic island of Linosa, south of Sicily. Every year, Italian scientist Giacomo Dell’Omo works on the island for several months to protect the colony. He is now assisted by his daughter Eleonora.

Scopoli’s shearwater grow up to 50 centimeters long and have a wingspan of approximately 115 centimeters. Starting in May, males and females take turns incubating a single egg per season in hard-to-reach caves and rock crevices, while the other partner flies far out to sea to search for food.

Jürgen Hansen is a screenwriter and director. He is known for Les ours bruns, colosses de l’Alaska (2023), L’île de La Réunion – Laboratoire de l’évolution (2024), and  The Return of the Bears (2020).

Traverser le vent takes viewers deep into the natural landscapes of the Haute-Côte-Nord region of Quebec, where passionate ornithologists observe the annual passage of millions of migratory birds. Equipped with specialized recording gear, sound naturalist Thibaut Quinchon offers a unique auditory immersion into the spectacular journey of migratory birds along the St. Lawrence River.

A creator of sonic atmospheres, Thibaut Quinchon is dedicated to listening to and capturing the voices of nature. His microphone records everything from birdsong to the rustling of insects and the earth’s subtle murmurs.

After La Panthère des neiges, Vincent Munier invites us deep into the forests of the Vosges. It was here that he learned everything from his father, Michel, a naturalist who spent his life observing wildlife from hidden vantage points in the woods. Now it is time for them to pass this knowledge on to Simon, Vincent’s son. Three perspectives, three generations, united by the same fascination for the wild.

Together, they will encounter deer, rare birds, foxes, and lynx… and, at times, the beating wings of a legendary creature: the Western capercaillie.

A creator of sonic atmospheres, Thibaut Quinchon is dedicated to listening to and capturing the voices of nature. His microphone records everything from birdsong to the rustling of insects and the earth’s subtle murmurs.