Backyard Hummingbird Film Wins International Awards

MISSOULA, Mont., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- "Each and every person who sees this film, falls in love with it!" the judges said. Receiving a standing ovation by 900 schoolchildren, "wow" was heard throughout the historic Wilma Theater in the heart of downtown Missoula, Montana. The nature film, "First Flight: A Mother Hummingbird's Story," wins Best of Category, Independent, as well as several Merit Awards including Merit Award for Storytelling, Merit Award for Educational Value, Merit Award for Animal Behavior and Merit Award for Backyard Nature at the 33rd International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula, the oldest wildlife film festival in the world. The weeklong event was attended by internationally acclaimed wildlife filmmakers and producers from BBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic and the PBS Nature program.

The first-time filmmakers, Noriko and Don Carroll of Las Vegas, created this remarkable film on their own. Based on their previously published book, "First Flight" (Andrews McMeel Publishing), the film reveals greater depth of the story of Honey, a Black-chinned Hummingbird who built her nest in the middle of a clothesline on the Carroll's back porch. Audiences were charmed by the newly hatched chicks, Ray and Zen, named because they look like little fat raisins. "First Flight" follows Honey's entire process of nesting activity, from rebuilding the nest using spider web and lint, egg laying, hatching, and the tireless effort of feeding and protecting her little chicks from the predators. A 360-degree view of the nest allowed the Carrolls to obtain extraordinary footage, such as the coffee bean-sized egg as it was laid, and a detailed close-up of the hatching absolutely astounded the kids during the screening.

Reviews by ornithologist and hummingbird banders have been encouraging:

"You have to see it to believe it!" Bob Sargent, the Hummer/Bird Study Group

"One of the finest Hummingbird films ever created. You don't simply watch it, you experience it." Dr. H. Ross Hawkins, The Hummingbird Society

"Astounding in its beauty and intimacy." Linda Valle, Educator, Baltimore, MD

"The movie evolves like a sacred dance, one in which we should all participate." Janice Ward, Teacher, El Paso, TX

The Carroll team spent three years documenting Honey's life on HD video for this remarkable production. Informative and touching narration by the authors and an inspiring soundtrack by critically acclaimed musicians add to the experience. The movie is available as a DVD through many local wild birds stores across the nation. Produced by Noriko, Don Carroll and Mike Lam.

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Concept Images, LLC