The Messenger is a visually thrilling ode to the beauty and importance of the imperiled songbird, and what it means to all of us on both a global and human level if we lose them.

Humans once believed that birds could carry messages, that their presence was meaningful. They have helped predict the change of seasons, the coming of storms and the rise of toxins in the food chain. Ancient peoples believed that the flights and songs of birds foretold the future.

Once again, birds have something to tell us. The Messenger explores our deep-seated connection to birds, and warns that the uncertain fate of songbirds might mirror our own. Moving from the northern reaches of the Boreal Forest to the base of Mount Ararat in Turkey to the streets of New York, The Messenger brings us face-to-face with a remarkable variety of human-made perils that have devastated thrushes, warblers, orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks and many other airborne music-makers.

On one level, the film is an engaging emotional journey, one that mixes its elegiac message with hopeful notes and unique glances into the influence of songbirds on our own expressions of the soul. On another level, it is the artful story about the mass depletion of songbirds on multiple continents, and about those who are working to turn the tide.

Presented as part of our ongoing Environmental Film Series, through the partnership of the Havre de Grace Green Team and Havre de Grace Maritime Museum. All film screenings are free to the public, and are held inside the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum's main gallery. A discussion will follow the film.

OFFICIAL FILM TRAILER New York Times Critics' Pick, Winner of Best Conservation Film at Jackson Hole Wildlife film festival and 3rd in the TOP TEN AUDIENCE FAVOURITES at HOT DOCS 2015, 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. Official website: www.TheMessengerDoc.com Press Coverage: http://songbirdsos.com/press-room/press-coverage/ Distribution: http://messengerfilm.com/ THE MESSENGER, a new documentary by award-winning filmmaker 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 documentary. 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.