Looking Up WCFF 2025
Birds
•
11m
In 'Looking Up,' the camera turns its lens on three individuals whose lives intersect through a shared love for birdwatching. As the story unfolds, each character opens up about their personal battles with mental health, navigating the turbulent waters of burnout, depression, anxiety, and trauma. This short film doesn't sugarcoat life's challenges, but it gently reminds us that sometimes, the simple act of reconnecting with nature, watching birds, in this case, can be a powerful remedy. 'Looking Up' is a down-to-earth exploration of personal struggles, resilience, and the unexpected healing that can come from a pair of binoculars and a bit of fresh air.
Looking Up was created by three emerging female directors—Lily Winter (New Zealand), Stephanie Guest (South Africa/Philippines), and Charlotte Gillespie (England)—while completing their Master’s studies in Science Communication at Otago University, New Zealand. Brought together by their shared passion for storytelling, they sought to craft a film that reflects both the human and natural worlds in ways that feel deeply personal and universally resonant.
As students, they were immersed in exploring how science and art intersect, and how film can be used not just to inform but to inspire and encourage important conversation.
Together, they found a common ground in curiosity and creativity. With Looking Up, they wanted to remind audiences of the importance of paying attention to the skies, to each other, and to the fragile ecosystems that hold us all.
Up Next in Birds
-
Penguins of the Point
Penguins of the Point is a short wildlife documentary that explores the daily lives of penguins at Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands, showcasing the resilience of these remarkable birds as they face both predators and modern threats such as climate change, commercial fishing, and avian infl...
-
How The World Works - Hummingbirds
A child’s simple question about a tiny bird’s flight opens a window into the amazing world of hummingbirds. A local bird expert helps to fill in the details. Through breathtaking close-ups and playful aerial moves and a bit of science, we uncover their secret powers from hovering flight which he...
-
Giants of Big Sur Episode 1 of 3
Go behind the scenes with Wilderness Documentarian Ross Thomas as he learns the amazing and inspiring stories of the critically endangered California condor. Ross meets the Ventana Wildlife Society experts who have been working since 1997 to restore these majestic giants to the wild Big Sur coast...