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.

She serves on the board of directors of Nature United, the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, and is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (FRCGS). She was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her achievements in environmental storytelling.

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.

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.

Film is a dynamic natural science research story about the Ural owl (Strix uralensis). It is an interweaving display of its life, interactions with other animal species, humans, and the scientific study of the species. In film we will get to know the mysterious life of one of the largest European owls, which is extremely aggressive during the nesting season. It will also showcase activities in which humans are actively involved – rehabilitation of injured specimens in shelter for wild animals, breeding and resettlement of the Ural owl in Austria, the effects of deforestation, an unusual encounter with the Ural owl in an urban environment, interesting hunting story…. Documentary will gradually uncover the very unusual daytime and nighttime behavior of the species and at the same time get acquainted with the latest scientific findings of Slovene biologist dr. Al Vrezec, one of the world’s foremost experts on Ural owls.

Invasive species such as rats and cats threaten the birds. Humans, who arrived in Linosa about 150 years ago, have increasingly restricted the birds’ habitat. The increasingly hot summers are causing problems for the animals, as is the threat posed by the fishing industry, where many birds die in their nets and hooks. Together with scientist Stefania Casagrande from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Germany, Giacomo Dell’Omo is collecting data on the birds’ distribution in a pilot project to better protect them. GPS transmitters and innovative Bluetooth transmitters are intended to help.

Film is a dynamic natural science research story about the Ural owl (Strix uralensis). It is an interweaving display of its life, interactions with other animal species, humans, and the scientific study of the species. In film we will get to know the mysterious life of one of the largest European owls, which is extremely aggressive during the nesting season. It will also showcase activities in which humans are actively involved – rehabilitation of injured specimens in shelter for wild animals, breeding and resettlement of the Ural owl in Austria, the effects of deforestation, an unusual encounter with the Ural owl in an urban environment, interesting hunting story…. Documentary will gradually uncover the very unusual daytime and nighttime behavior of the species and at the same time get acquainted with the latest scientific findings of Slovene biologist dr. Al Vrezec, one of the world’s foremost experts on Ural owls.

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.

Invasive species such as rats and cats threaten the birds. Humans, who arrived in Linosa about 150 years ago, have increasingly restricted the birds’ habitat. The increasingly hot summers are causing problems for the animals, as is the threat posed by the fishing industry, where many birds die in their nets and hooks. Together with scientist Stefania Casagrande from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Germany, Giacomo Dell’Omo is collecting data on the birds’ distribution in a pilot project to better protect them. GPS transmitters and innovative Bluetooth transmitters are intended to help.

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).

Valeria Vizioli is a biologist and wildlife documentary filmmaker.

She serves on the board of directors of Nature United, the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, and is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (FRCGS). She was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her achievements in environmental storytelling.

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.

Film is a dynamic natural science research story about the Ural owl (Strix uralensis). It is an interweaving display of its life, interactions with other animal species, humans, and the scientific study of the species. In film we will get to know the mysterious life of one of the largest European owls, which is extremely aggressive during the nesting season. It will also showcase activities in which humans are actively involved – rehabilitation of injured specimens in shelter for wild animals, breeding and resettlement of the Ural owl in Austria, the effects of deforestation, an unusual encounter with the Ural owl in an urban environment, interesting hunting story…. Documentary will gradually uncover the very unusual daytime and nighttime behavior of the species and at the same time get acquainted with the latest scientific findings of Slovene biologist dr. Al Vrezec, one of the world’s foremost experts on Ural owls.

Since 2002, Vincent Munier has produced numerous reports around the world, driven by a desire to showcase the beauty of wild nature and shed light on endangered animal species. In 2008, he photographed the Arctic wolf for the first time and went on to make numerous journeys to Canada in pursuit of this species. In 2018, he undertook his eighth expedition to Tibet alongside Sylvain Tesson, who later chronicled the journey in La panthère des neiges (winner of the 2019 Prix Renaudot).