“An Australian Aboriginal legend tells of the moment
birds arrived amongst us.
The breaking of a rainbow scattered shards of colours.
As these shards fell to earth, they became
glowing jewel like birds.“
“An Australian Aboriginal legend tells of the moment
birds arrived amongst us.
The breaking of a rainbow scattered shards of colours.
As these shards fell to earth, they became
glowing jewel like birds.“
Flyways follows endangered migratory shorebirds as they travel their ancient migration routes around the planet. Using nanotechnology and global tracking from the International Space Station, the project will uncover the paths of the world’s greatest, feathered endurance athletes and shine a light on the scientists and international lawyers who are collaborating to save them.
Flyways World Premiere – Majestic Cinemas Wynnum
Flyways World Premiere – Majestic Cinemas Wynnum


A World Premiere in Wynnum? I hear you ask!
Unknown to many, the development at Toondah Harbour threatens the magnificent Curlew and other creatures. Hosted by Bird Life Australia (Qld), tickets are $35 which includes a glass of bubbles and snacks on arrival, followed by a Q&A. Limited seating available.
A World Premiere in Wynnum? I hear you ask!
Unknown to many, the development at Toondah Harbour threatens the magnificent Curlew and other creatures. Hosted by Bird Life Australia (Qld), tickets are $35 which includes a glass of bubbles and snacks on arrival, followed by a Q&A. Limited seating available.
Flyways Upcoming Screenings Click for tickets
WORLD PREMIERE
SAT 6th
MAY 5:00pm
MAJESTIC cinema WYNNUM
Q&A
Wynnum Majestic
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
MELBOURNE PREMIERE
FRI 12TH
MAY
NOVA
CARLTON Q&A
Bendigo
14th, 15th & 20th May
check for times
Star cinema
WED 17TH
MAY
PIVOTONIAN GEELONG
Q&A
PERTH PREMIERE
FRIDAY 19TH
MAY
LUNA LEEDERVILLE
Q&A
Townsville
screening
Sun 28th May
1:00pm
Warina Cineplex
Gladstone
screening
Sat 3rd June
4pm
Gladstone Cinemas
BRISBANE PREMIERE
SUN 7TH
MAY 4:30pm
NEW FARM CINEMA
Q&A
WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY
SAT 13TH
MAY
CAMEO CINEMA
DANDENONG Q&A
ACT PREMIERE
TUES 16TH
MAY
DENDY CANBERRA
Q&A
cinema nova
Encore
Multiple screenings daily
check the website
Orana Cinema Albany
WED 17TH
MAY
film harvest
ADELAIDE PREMIERE
SUN 21st may
2:00pm
palace NOVA eastend
Q&A
Luna Leederville
Encore Screening
Multiple times daily
Check website
TOOWOOMBA SCREENING
TUES 30TH
MAY 6:00pm
STRAND CINEMA
Q&A
dendy southport
Sat 10 june + Q&A
6:30pm
Sun 11th june
6:30pm
SYDNEY PREMIERE
TUEDAY 9TH
MAY 6:30pm
ORPHEUM CREMORNE
Q&A
New Farm
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
Orana Cinema Busselton
WED 17TH
MAY
film harvest
Orana Cinema Kalgoorlie
WED 17TH
MAY
film harvest
Majestic nambour
WED 18TH
MAY
Daily Screenings
BLUE MOUNTAINS
TUES 23RD
MAY
5:20PM
MT VIC FLICKS
Q&A
Bundaberg
screening
Sun 11th June
3.30pm
Reading Cinema
Blue Mountains
screening
Mon 12th June
7:00pm
Glenbrook Cinema
Sydney Screening
WED 10TH
MAY 6:30pm
DENDY
NEWTOWN
Q&A
SUN 14TH
MAY
LIDO
HAWTHORNE
Q&A
Classic Elsternwick
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
Majestic port macquarie
WED 18TH
MAY
DAILY SCREENINGS
Geelong Pivotonian
Encore Screening
daily from the 25th May
Check website
TAS PREMIERE
thurs 25th
MAY 6:00pm
STATE HOBART
Q&A
central coast
screening
Sat 3rd June
7:00pm
Avoca beach theatre
Northern Territory Premiere
14th June
7pm
Deckchair Cinema
Q&A
Sydney Screening
THURS 11TH
MAY 6:30pm
RITZ
RANDWICK
Q&A
Orana Cinema Geraldton
GOLD CLASS
WED 17TH
MAY
film harvest
Regal Graceville
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
Ritz Randwick
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
Cedar Creek Hall
Fri 26th May
7pm
TGIF Food Event
Cairns
screening
Sun 4th June
2pm + Q&A
Event Central Cinema
Yeppoon
screening
Sun 4th June
4pm
Yeppoon Cinemas
Murwillumbah
Sun 18th June
5:45pm
The Regent Cinema
Illawarra
Sun 18th June
4:15pm + Q&A
The Gala Twin
Warrawong
Flyways Upcoming Screenings Click for tickets
WORLD PREMIERE
SAT 6th
MAY 5:00pm
MAJESTIC cinema WYNNUM
Q&A
Wynnum Majestic
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
BRISBANE PREMIERE
SUN 7TH
MAY 4:30pm
NEW FARM CINEMA
Q&A
SYDNEY PREMIERE
TUEDAY 9TH
MAY 6:30pm
ORPHEUM CREMORNE
Q&A
Sydney Screening
WED 10TH
MAY 6:30pm
DENDY
NEWTOWN
Q&A
Sydney Screening
THURS 11TH
MAY 6:30pm
RITZ
RANDWICK
Q&A
New Farm
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
Red Hill
Gold Class
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
MELBOURNE PREMIERE
FRI 12TH
MAY
NOVA
CARLTON Q&A
Classic Elsternwick
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY
SAT 13TH
MAY
CAMEO CINEMA
DANDENONG Q&A
SUN 14TH
MAY
LIDO
HAWTHORNE
Q&A
cinema nova
Encore
Multiple screenings daily
check the website
Bendigo
14th, 15th & 20th May
check for times
Star cinema
ACT PREMIERE
TUES 16TH
MAY
DENDY CANBERRA
Q&A
WED 17TH
MAY
PIVOTONIAN GEELONG
Q&A
Orana Cinema Geraldton
GOLD CLASS
WED 17TH
MAY
film harvest
WED 17TH
MAY
film harvest
Orana Cinema Busselton
Orana Cinema Albany
WED 17TH
MAY
film harvest
Orana Cinema Kalgoorlie
WED 17TH
MAY
film harvest
Majestic nambour
WED 18TH
MAY
Daily Screenings
Majestic port macquarie
WED 18TH
MAY
DAILY SCREENINGS
Regal Graceville
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
Warnnambool
WED 18TH
MAY
6:00pm
capital cinema
Ritz Randwick
Daily screenings
check the website
for times
PERTH PREMIERE
FRIDAY 19TH
MAY
LUNA LEEDERVILLE
Q&A
ADELAIDE PREMIERE
SUN 21st may
2:00pm
palace NOVA eastend
Q&A
BLUE MOUNTAINS
TUES 23RD
MAY
5:20PM
MT VIC FLICKS
Q&A
TAS PREMIERE
thurs 25th
MAY 6:00pm
STATE HOBART
Q&A
Geelong Pivotonian
Encore Screening
Daily from the 25th May
Check website
Cedar Creek Hall
Fri 26th May
7pm
TGIF Food Event
Townsville
screening
Sun 28th May
1:00pm
Warina Cineplex
TOOWOOMBA SCREENING
TUES 30TH
MAY 6:00pm
STRAND CINEMA
Q&A
thursday
1st june
6:00pm
capital cinema
Warnnambool
Luna Leederville
Encore Screening
Multiple times daily
Check website
central coast
screening
Sat 3rd June
7:00pm
Avoca beach theatre
Gladstone
screening
Sat 3rd June
4pm
Gladstone Cinemas
Cairns
screening
Sun 4th June
2pm + Q&A
Event Central Cinema
Yeppoon
screening
Sun 4th June
4pm
Yeppoon Cinemas
dendy southport
Sat 10 june + Q&A
6:30pm
Sun 11th june
6:30pm
Bundaberg
screening
Sun 11th June
3.30pm
Reading Cinema
Blue Mountains
screening
Mon 12th June
7:00pm
Glenbrook Cinema
Northern Territory Premiere
14th June
7pm
Deckchair Cinema
Q&A
Murwillumbah
Sun 18th June
5:45pm
The Regent Cinema
Illawarra
Sun 18th June
4:15pm + Q&A
The Gala Twin
Warrawong
Screen Australia presents in association with Screen Queensland and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation A Storyland, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, ZED, the WNET Group and Public Television Service, Taiwan
Screen Australia presents in association with Screen Queensland and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation A Storyland, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, ZED, the WNET Group and Public Television Service, Taiwan
A Randall Wood film
A Randall Wood film
Written and Directed by: Randall Wood
Narration: Mia Wasikowska | Composer: Cezary Skubiszewski
Produced by: Rebecca McElroy and Randall Wood | Principal Editors: Andrea Lang, Scott Walton A.S.E. | Senior Editor: Judy Yeh | Writers: Alex Barry, Suzanne Smith, Rebecca McElroy, Trish Lake | Director of Photography: Randall Wood | Production Manager: Jenine Olliver | Executive Producers: Aline Jacques, Odilla O’Boyd, Trish Lake, David Elisco, Sean B. Carroll, Christine Le Goff, Manuel Catteau, Wuan-Ling | Visual Effects: Andres Gomez Isaza
Written and Directed by: Randall Wood
Narration: Mia Wasikowska | Composer: Cezary Skubiszewski
Produced by: Rebecca McElroy and Randall Wood | Principal Editors: Andrea Lang, Scott Walton A.S.E. | Senior Editor: Judy Yeh | Writers: Alex Barry, Suzie Smith, Rebecca McElroy, Trish Lake | Director of Photography: Randall Wood | Production Manager: Jenine Olliver | Executive Producers: Aline Jacques, Odilla O’Boyd, Trish Lake, David Elisco, Sean B. Carroll, Christine Le Goff, Manuel Catteau, Wuan-Ling | Visual Effects: Andres Gomez Isaza
With the world’s migratory shorebirds and their epic Flyways under threat, scientists, are in a race to map their journeys.
Shorebirds fly thousands of miles each year along ancient and largely unknown migratory routes called Flyways. Species travel from feeding grounds in the southern hemisphere to breeding grounds in the Arctic regions and back again, flying up to nine days non-stop without food or water.
They are the world’s greatest endurance athletes and their navigational skills on these marathon migrations are as extraordinary as they are mysterious. However, Shorebird numbers are crashing.
A recent study from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and collaborators reveals that we have lost 1/3 of our North American shorebirds since 1970, or 17 million shorebirds. 68% of shorebird species are in decline. Some species, like Lesser Yellowlegs and Red Knots have shown 70-95% declines.
Director’s Statement
Director’s Statement
There are few creatures on earth more inspiring, more symbolic than birds. Each year, millions of shorebirds follow ancient flyways moving from the south of the planet to the north and back again. Like a rising and falling breath, the earth supports this mass movement of life. Yet many of know little about them. Shorebirds remain an untold story.
Growing up near Moreton Bay, Queensland I was introduced early to the beauty of shorebirds by my grandmother, a bird-lover who lived on the shoreline of Redland Bay. An avid bird watcher and poet she taught me to love these vulnerable creatures. The wayfarers of the area, the 34 species of local shorebirds in Moreton Bay are amongst the most exquisite species on the planet. They are also the amongst the most threatened.
I feel a deep calling to make Flyways. As a filmmaker focusing on issues of ecology and science, I’ve realised one of the greatest threats to our existence lays in the precipitous global loss of biodiversity we all face. Shorebirds are amongst the most threatened species on the planet – with some species such as Spoon-billed Sandpipers just a tiny beat away from extinction. Flyways will utilise the best science to address the harsh reality of this extinction crisis. Most importantly we will tell stories of the positive action we can take to stem the tide – on a local and global level.
Toondah Harbour Under Threat
Toondah Harbour is part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park and is home to internationally significant wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention — a global treaty established to “halt the worldwide loss of wetlands.” These wetlands provide critical habitat for global populations of migratory bird species — including six per cent of all Eastern curlews and 50 per cent of all Grey-tailed Tattlers. It’s a last remaining stronghold for these birds in Australia’s East Asian Australasian Flyway.
Former Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg has progressed plans for Walker Corporation — one of Australia’s largest property development firms owned by billionaire Lang Walker — to dredge the Ramsar-listed wetlands at Toondah Harbour and build 3,600 luxury residences including high-rise apartments, a hotel and conference centre, retail space and marinas on canals in the bay. The $1.3 billion proposal will destroy 42 hectares of the Ramsar site and is supported by the Queensland state government and Redland city council.
The decisions surrounding Toondah Harbour provide a clear case study for how broken our environment laws are, and beg the question: if a protected area like this is not off-limits to inappropriate projects, what signal does it send to other developers?
Show your support for Toondah Harbour – join us on
6th May at Wynnum
Show your support for Toondah Harbour – join us on
6th May at Wynnum
