The Messenger Takes Flight in the UK!
SongbirdSOS Productions Inc. and Films à Cinq are pleased to announce that our award-winning feature documentary THE MESSENGER directed by Su Rynard is taking flight in the UK. It is being released into UK cinemas, starting October 26th. This cinematically beautiful and poignant documentary is essential viewing for anyone who cares about the environment and nature. THE MESSENGER explores mankind’s deep-seated connection to the world’s songbirds and the devastating impact humans have had on bird species. It is an enlightening introduction to the global scientific research being done to further bird conservation. The release of the film is timely, as more than a quarter of the UK Birds are in serious decline. *
The UK tour of THE MESSENGER starts at Purbeck Film Festival in Wareham October 26, before travelling to Nottingham, Oswestry, Suffolk, Manchester and Liverpool.
On her drive to make the film director Su Rynard commented, “Birds are our ‘early warning system’ and this was one of the inspirations behind the film. Since ancient times we have looked to birds to foretell the future. Changes in the flights or songs of birds can signal the coming of storms, the change of season, or the dawn of a new day. A decline in the numbers or health of birds points to changes in the environment. Now is a critical time for the world’s climate and ecosystems. Birds have something to tell us, and I wanted to amplify their message.”
Screenings will feature guest hosts, including the Wildlife Trust and the RSPB.
Bird & Wild, a Bird Friendly coffee company is providing goodie bags at select screenings. Bird & Wild is one of the UK’s only Smithsonian certified Bird Friendly® coffee roasters and it is on a mission to help protect migrating birds and support the RSPB, while offering triple certified, great tasting Fairtrade organic coffee, one cup at a time.
Canadian producer Joanne Jackson says ” We are excited to be working with Nottingham based PIPOCA for the UK release. Sally Hodgson from PIPOCA has tremendous experience releasing films that make an impact with audiences. We believe THE MESSENGER will find an enthusiastic audience in the UK, because as any committed ‘twitcher’ or nature lover will attest, the sport of Birdwatching is a very popular past-time in the UK.”
The Messenger will become available on DVD in the UK in December and can be pre-ordered online now. Up-to-date details on screenings and the DVD purchases for educational or home use can be found here. 
www.pipocapictures.com/the-messenger
Cinema Listings:
Purbeck Film Festival @ The Rex Cinema, Wareham,
Thursday 26 October, 8.15pm, sponsored by Biotrack. Q and A and Bird tracking devices will be demonstrated. Tickets: https://therex.admit-one.eu/?p=details&eventCode=34429 or 01929 552 778
Broadway Cinema, Nottingham,
Saturday 28 October, 2 pm, With Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Tickets: http://www.broadway.org.uk/events/film-the-messenger-plus-introduction or 0115 952 6611
Picturehouse @ FACT, Liverpool
Sunday 26 November, 1 pm. With RSPB Liverpool, Tickets: https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/Picturehouse_At_Fact or 0871 902 5737
Aldeburgh Cinema, Suffolk
Sunday 3 December, 3 pm, With the Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Tickets: www.aldeburghcinema.co.uk or 01728 454884
HOME, Manchester
Friday 29 December, 3:50 pm, Tickets: https://homemcr.org or 0161 200 1500.
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Running length: 90 minutes. Advisory rating – PG
Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/LjQtRr4CKcc
Twitter: @themessengerdoc
THE MESSENGER is a Canada/France co-production by SongbirdSOS Productions Inc. and Films à Cinq/ARTE France that has played on over 160 screens in North America and continues to screen for audiences in Canada, and the USA. For screening requests and additional ways to view the film go to https://songbirdsos.com/screenings/