The Messenger

THE MESSENGER is an artful investigation into the causes of songbird mass depletion and the compassionate people who are working to turn the tide. The film takes viewers on a visually stunning journey revealing how the problems facing birds also pose daunting implications for our planet and ourselves.

Award-winning director Su Rynard (Dream Machine, Kardia) chronicles the struggle of songbirds worldwide to survive in turbulent environmental conditions brought about by humans and argues that their demise could signify the crash of the ecosystems globally, akin to the disappearance of honey bees and the melting of the glaciers.

For thousands of years, songbirds were regarded by mankind as messengers from the gods. Today, these creatures – woven inextricably into the fabric of our environment – are vanishing at an alarming rate. Under threat from climate change, pesticides and more, populations of hundreds of species have dipped dramatically. As scientists, activists and bird enthusiasts investigate this phenomenon, amazing secrets of the bird world come to light for the first time in this acclaimed and visually thrilling film. Beautiful slow-motion photography illustrates the power and beauty of these delicate winged creatures that have been praised and eulogized across cultures and throughout time. 

Find out what’s killing our songbirds, and what can be done about it. As in ancient times, songbirds may once again be carrying a message to humans – one that we ignore at our own peril.

A Canada/France co-production

In International distribution.

Educational and home video copies available. To purchase, please go to SEE THE FILM section of the film website.

The Messenger Trailer

Awards and Accolades

1. Top Ten Audience Award, Hot Docs Film Festival, Canada 2015

2. Prix Buffon, Paris Science, Le Festival International du Film Scientifique, France 2016

3. Best Conservation Film, Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, USA 2015

4. Best Theatrical Feature, International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula, USA 2016

5. Best of Fest, International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula, Montana USA 2016

6. Whistleblower Award Cinema Verde Environmental Film & Arts Festival, USA 2016

7. Best Environmental Film Prize, Festival de l'Oiseau et de la Nature, France 2016

8. Special Jury Award, Visions of Nature/Voices of Nature Environmental Film Festival, USA 2016

9. Favorite Documentary Feature, North Bay Film Festival, Canada 2016

10. Carl Nunn Media and Conservation Award presented by Ontario Nature, 2015

11. Special Mention for Best Documentary, CinemAmbiente, Italy 2015

12. Nominated for Best Cinematography in a Feature Documentary, Canadian Screen Awards 2016

13. Nominated for Best Editing in Feature Documentary, Canadian Cinema Editors Award 2016

14. Nominated for Dutch Intl. Science Film Festival NTR Audience & Youth Jury Award, 2016