For the past three years, the Wakefield International Film Festival has screened a selection of great documentaries from Canada and beyond. In 2010, they launched a program to showcase locally produced short documentaries from Algonquin College’s Documentary Production Program. Among those for this year’s shortlist is Swan Song, a documentary about Ottawa’s Royal Swan program.
Royal Swan program Coordinator Christine Hartig keeps a look out for swans on the Rideau River as they round them up for the winter.
An Australian Black swan ready to be shipped out.
Synopsis: The Royal Swans have made their home on the Rideau River for the last 44 years. Given as a gift from the Queen during Canada’s Centennial, these majestic birds have become a symbol of the area and one of the many highlights of the city of Ottawa. In recent years, the Royal Swan program has seen much adversity as the program threatens to close if a new winter facility to house the birds can’t be found. Being seen as unnecessary expenditure, the city has struggled to find an alternative solution and time to do so is running out. In her final year as program coordinator, Christine Hartig looks back at her 25 years of experience with the swans.
You can find out more about WIFF and their schedule here:
http://wakefieldfilmfestival.weebly.com/
Swan song is also available on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekMONYyRQxc
http://wakefieldfilmfestival.weebly.com/
Swan song is also available on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekMONYyRQxc
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