Broken Flight
18 minute documentary
Winding through the maze of downtown Chicago, the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors work alongside the Field Museum and Willowbrook Wildlife Center to rescue birds that collide with windows, and study the birds that are killed during their annual migrations. The tenderhearted work presents a lens of environmental change that impacts every landscape.
Upcoming Screenings
Frozen River Film Festival February 15
Winona, Minnesota
Kane County Audubon Society March 12
St. Charles, Illinois
Bird TLC & Alaska Wildlife Alliance March 13
Anchorage, Alaska
Past Screenings
Anchorage International Film Festival 2024 - Audience & Jury Winner Best Short Documentary
DC Environmental Film Festival 2024 - Honorable Mention Best Short Film
Blackstar Film Festival 2024 - Official Selection
Mountainfilm Festival 2024 - Official Selection
Chicago International Film Festival 2024 - Official Selection
St. Louis International Film Festival 2024 - Official Selection
Filmfort at Treefort Music Fest 2024 - Official Selection
Port Townsend Film Festival 2024 - Official Selection
Alternating Currents Festival 2024 - Honorable Mention Best Documentary
City of Lights Film Festival 2024 - Official Selection
Fresh Coast Film Festival 2024 - Official Selection
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
What started off as a broad documentary about various types of bird conservation in Chicago, began with two tiny birds named Monty & Rose.
In the summer of 2019, collaborator Mitch Wenkus was hired to film this first pair of endangered piping plovers to nest in Chicago since the 1950s, eventually capturing the hearts and attention of the city. I found his description of the birders and their dedication in guarding the nest on the hot summer beach from imminent danger, like errant volleyballs, off leash dogs, and brazen seagulls, so inspiring, unique, and RELENTLESS.
That’s when I came up with the idea to tell the story of birds through their biggest champions- the birders. As shown in Broken Flight through window collision rescue, the unwavering devotion and consistent action of these everyday heroes towards these little creatures provide us with hope that we can all make a difference with enough love and resolve.