January 06 - Larisa Shepitko

Happy Birthday, Larisa Shepitko! Born today in 1938 as Larisa Efimovna Shepitko, this Soviet actress, screenwriter and film director is best known for co-writing and directing the 1977 Soviet black and white drama/art film 'Voskhozhdeniye' (literally 'The Ascent'). 

The film was based off of the 1974 Soviet fiction novel "Sotnikov" by Vasil Bykaŭ, a prolific author of novels and novellas about World War II and a significant figure in soviet and Belarusian literature and civic thought. 

  

Shepitko passed in a car crash on a highway near the city of Tver with four members of her shooting team while scouting locations for her planned adaptation of a Russian novel on July 2, 1979. She was 41.  

  

The following year, her husband, Soviet Russian film director Elem Klimov ('Come and See'), made the twenty-five-minute 1980 West German biography documentary/short film tribute entitled 'Larisa'. 

Three years later, Klimov finished Shepitko's final work with the 1983 Soviet drama film 'Proshchanie'(under the title 'Farewell'). 

Shepitko had been active from 1956–1979.

  

#borntodirect 

@Criterion 

@WomenInFilm 

January 06 - John Singleton

Happy Birthday, John Singleton! Born today in 1968 as John Daniel Singleton, this African-American actor, screenwriter, producer and film director was best known for directing the 1991 American teen hood drama/crime film 'Boyz n the Hood'. 

The following year, Singleton was nominated for an Oscar for Best Director at the 64th Academy Awards in late March 1992. From this, he became, at age twenty-four, the first African-American and youngest person to have ever been nominated for that award. 

Singleton had been active from 1991–2019. 

#borntodirect 

#BlackDirectorsMatter 

@tcm

January 06 - Anthony Minghella

Happy Birthday, Anthony Minghella! Born today in 1954, this British playwright, screenwriter and film director was chairman of the board of Governors at the British Film Institute between 2003 and 2007. 

In 1997, Minghella won an Oscar for Best Director for the 1996 American romantic war drama film 'The English Patient' at the 69th Academy Awards in late March. 

The film was based off of Sri Lankan-born Canadian poet, fiction writer, essayist, novelist, editor and filmmaker Michael Ondaatje's 1992 eponymous war story historiographic metafiction novel. 

Minghella had been active from 1981–2008. 

#borntodirect 

@BFI 

January 05 - National Bird Day

Happy National Bird Day! Nature lovers, bird lovers, and bird watchers across the country rejoice! On January 5, today annually recognize our fine feathered friends. It’s also one of several designated holidays celebrating birds.

  

The national animal advocacy nonprofit organization Born Free USA emphasizes the importance of National Bird Day. They list it as a day to shine a spotlight on issues critical to the protection and survival of birds, both captive and wild.

According to Born Free USA, nearly twelve percent of the world’s almost ten thousand bird species are in danger of extinction. 

Join over half a million avian admirers celebrate National Bird Day through a bevy of activities.

• •  bird-watching 
• •  studying birds 
• •  educating others 
• •  other bird-related activities 
• •  A particularly important National Bird Day activity is bird adoption.  According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper article, many bird enthusiasts celebrate by adopting birds on this day and educating future bird owners about the special issues involved with taking care of birds, including the “proper care, cleanup, noise and biting, feeding, diet and their need for daily interaction.”
  
  
  According to research, there are approximately ten thousand species of birds!

HOW TO OBSERVE 

There are several ways to celebrate this day.

• •  Pick up a bird identification book. It will help you to learn about species in your area and identify those frequenting your bird feeders. 
• •  Enhance the attraction of your backyard. Add feeders, shelter and more. Learn what birds in your area like to eat and watch them flock to your sanctuary. 
• •  Donate to a bird sanctuary or aviary dedicated to improving the survival of endangered birds. 
• •  While you’re learning about all the amazing species, visit an aviary. A botanical garden, zoo, or conservation area may offer close up viewing of some of the more exotic species you’ve never seen before.
  
  
  Whichever way you choose, be sure to invite someone to join you so you can share the experience. Also, as always, use #NationalBirdDay to post on social media.

HISTORY 

In 2002, Born Free USA in coordination with the Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC) launched the first annual National Bird Day to promote avian awareness.
  

Relevant Observances: 

Bird Day – May 4

Established in 1894 by Oil City, Pennsylvania school superintendent Charles Babcock, the first holiday in the United States dedicated to the celebration of birds. Babcock’s intention in creating this day was to advance bird conservation as a moral value.

International Migratory Bird Day

Second Saturday in May in U.S. and Canada – second Saturday in October in Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. 

Originated by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and coordinated by Environment for the Americas. 

A conservation initiative bringing awareness on conserving migratory birds and their habitats throughout the Western Hemisphere.  Dedicated to international conservation efforts and environmental education in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Bird Day in the United Kingdom Started in 1979 

Coordinated by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, up to half a million bird lovers annually spend an hour counting birds on Bird Day.

  

World Migratory Bird Day Second Saturday in May

The United Nations established World Migratory Bird Day in 2006. 

By the way...have you heard?

#NationalBirdDay 

@BornFreeUSA 

@avianwelfarecoalition 

@nichecinema