89 minutes – Drama
Festival released date: December 3, 2015 Whistler Film Festival
Release date: November 18, 2016 (Toronto)
Canadian distributor:

The Birdwatcher is the story of Saffron, a single mother and no-nonsense social worker. After being diagnosed with cancer, she knows that if she dies, her children will be left to grow up in an unreliable foster care system. At 14, Lucy is all attitude and in a permanent battle of wills with her mother. Son Jonah however, embodies the joy and exuberance of an 8 year-old, completely unaware of his mother’s illness. With few options, Saffron must face the knowledge that her birth mother, with whom she’s had no contact, may be her only hope. Upon discovering the identity of her birth mother Saffron is determined to get to know her. She tracks her down at an RV Park and with kids in tow sets up a tent in a nearby campsite. Birth mother Birdy is a celebrated but reclusive ornithologist and is unnerved by her new noisy neighbors. After several uncomfortable encounters, Saffron unwisely chooses a boisterous gathering of bird watchers to introduce herself as Birdy’s daughter.

The Birdwatcher had its world premiere at the 2015 Whistler Film Festival. It was named Best Canadian Feature at the 2016 Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto.