Birds, bats, and bees are essential to our ecosystem. Yet human activity continues to put these species under threat. This short film lineup looks at passionate individuals who care deeply for our winged friends and their future. See how they dedicate their lives to understanding, protecting, and celebrating these captivating creatures.
Featuring a filmmaker conversation with Liz Unger (Dir. Batsies) and Roshan Patel (Dir. Cafe y Aves), and Neil Losin (Dir. sym•bee•o•sis). Moderated by Dustin Renwick (Dir. of Production & Development; NatGeo).
Two young birdwatchers, Mya and Arjun, raise awareness of conservation and climate change in their local areas, while navigating the challenges of coming of age. A creative documentary exploring our relationship with nature.
On a remote Icelandic island, teenagers Birta and Selma rescue pufflings (young puffins) from imminent danger; as pufflings leave their nests for the first time, they often get lost in town, mistaking the harbour lights for the moon. Over the course of one night, we follow Birta and Selma as they take it upon themselves to counteract humanity's damaging impact on nature; exchanging night-time parties for puffin rescues. A coming-of-age documentary about growing up and making choices, Puffling explores the delicate interplay between wildlife, the environment, and human life.
Two female Texas State University wildlife researchers work against the clock to find a way to save Texas’s delicate—and crucial—bat population, while breaking barriers of their own.
To further support the mission of Batsies visit Austin Bat Refuge and Bat Conservation International
Coffee farms in Colombia exist in some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. However, agriculture is putting pressure on that biodiversity that is causing catastrophic declines in migratory bird species. Farmers are working alongside Smithsonian scientists to come up with solutions that will be better for birds AND coffee.
#LiveBirdFriendly
In sym-bee-o-sis, scientists discover that the alliance between bees and plants depends on an unexpected third partner: microbes! But the chemicals we use in agriculture are putting this ancient partnership at risk.
#plantwildflowers