CBC to Premiere Short Documentary Bird Names on March 12, 2026
Toronto, Canada : The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is set to premiere Bird Names, a powerful 22 minute documentary that examines the growing movement to rename nearly 150 North American bird species. The film will debut on March 12, 2026, bringing national attention to a debate reshaping the world of ornithology and conservation.
Directed by Aliya Jasmine, the documentary follows a Canadian led crew of BIPOC and Queer birders as they explore the cultural, historical, and ecological implications of bird species named after White men with controversial legacies. As bird populations continue to decline across the continent and conversations around equity intensify, Bird Names investigates how language, history, and conservation intersect.
The film asks a provocative question: Who gets to honour nature? Through expert interviews and field explorations, it challenges long standing naming traditions and considers how renaming species may influence the future of environmental stewardship.
Featuring on camera experts including PEPAḴIYE Ashley Cooper and Tykee James, the documentary blends archival materials, licensed bird calls from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and evocative cinematography to present both scientific insight and cultural reflection.
Produced in association with CBC, the film includes contributions from a diverse creative team:
- Directed by Aliya Jasmine
- Written by Aliya Jasmine, Rob Hynes, and Connel Bradwell
- Produced by Aliya Jasmine, Aliza Sovani, Jennifer Uhl, and Sabena Brennan
- Director of Photography: Ryan Wilkes
- Edited by David Ngandu
Filmed on the traditional and unceded territories of the WSÁNEĆ Peoples in British Columbia, Bird Names situates the renaming conversation within broader discussions about colonial history, representation, and ecological justice.
With its timely subject matter and thought-provoking approach, Bird Names aims to spark dialogue not only among birders and scientists, but also among viewers who care about language, legacy, and the future of conservation.
