Sculptor Todd McGrain believes that forgetting is a type of cultural extinction. He aims to keep memories alive for five extinct North American birds by placing his large, bronze sculptures of them in the places where these creatures were last seen alive in the wild. The film follows the road-trip that McGrain and his brother-in-law, Andy, take as they search for the locations where the birds were last seen in the wild and negotiate for permission to install McGrain’s large bronze sculptures there. Traveling from the tropical swamps of Florida to Martha’s Vineyard to the rocky coasts of Newfoundland, they scout locations, talk to park rangers, speak at town meetings and battle bureaucracy in their effort to gather support for the project. Directed by Deborah Dickson. Produced by Muffie Meyer.

The Lost Bird Project

2011 US 60 min
Festival Year: 2013
Types: Documentary
Topic: Environmental Advocacy and Justice, Wildlife