Tsawwassen filmmaker Jocelyn Demers presents a free screening of his latest documentary about bird conservation next week at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre.
The Future of Birdswill be shown on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7:15 p.m.
The 40-minute film explores research conclusions from scientists and ornithologists from around the planet.
It’s the second solo film project for Demers, an independent producer and owner of Monde Films.
His first project, The Watershed Guardians of the Fraser River, which was released in February, is a 52-minute film about sustainability and the Fraser River.
He has directed, wrote and edited a total of six documentaries about sustainability.
Demers said The Future of Birds was filmed partially in the Vancouver area, including parts of Boundary Bay and Centennial Beach.
“We have different topics of conversations from local and international situations. I met with members of the International Ornithologists’ Union when they were all here a couple of summers ago,” he said. “I was the only member of the media allowed to interview them. I was able to get in and have specific and personal contact with people from all over the world to tell their stories and their findings in their research.
“With the loss of global biodiversity and climate change in mind, the world’s best ornithologists are understanding how important birds are for ecosystems and economies.”
Demers said there have been, at times, great efforts taken to protect birds, but it’s all connected so a loss of biodiversity has resulted in a loss of quantities of birds throughout the world.
“The film is about our region, but also the general situation around the world,” he said.
Demers said there is certainly a connection between The Future of Birds and The Watershed Guardians of the Fraser River.
“There is a connection between the two because we know that birds are a really important part of the West Coast around the estuary of the Fraser River. They are, for sure, contributing to the health of the estuary,” he said. “There is also a large movement to protect eagles in the region and that is a big part of this documentary too.”
See more about the film, including preview trailers, at: www.mondefilms.com.
The screening is free and open to the public.
