The Birdwatcher
Synopsis
Investigators visit the site of a strange disappearance – a solitary birdwatching hut, deep in the forest. This story is about the dangers of cutting ourselves off from ‘the other’; that which we choose not to engage with or understand. It’s a look at the insipid repetition that creeps into our lives when we shun diversity and connection. This is a tale of someone so lost in another time that they can never make it back to reality, and those who seek to help but are only dragged down with them. Fear of the unknown can become so ingrained and insidious that it becomes an inherent need that begs to be replenished – as we cut ourselves off from other cultures and make our world smaller, we only pivot to find new evils within our communities, locked in a futile cycle of creating fresh monsters as a distraction from our own shortcomings and responsibilities. A gripping, cinematic expedition into that darkness, the film serves as a warning about isolating ourselves from a greater world that requires us to learn and listen on a regular basis.
The Birdwatcher (2024) is a 00:13:40 horror short film by Ryan Mackfall (United Kingdom). Investigators visit the site of a strange disappearance – a solitary birdwatching hut, deep in the forest. Selected for ETREUM Horror Film Fest (2025).
Key facts
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Festival History
- GFFF - Galician Freaky Film Festival 2026
- Dead Northern Horror Film Festival 2025 - Short Films - Spectres & Shadows
- ETREUM Horror Film Fest 2025
- GFFF - Galician Freaky Film Festival 2025 generic - Co cu torcido Vol. 1
- Glasgow Film Festival 2025 generic
- Glowflare Horror Film Festival 2025 generic
- H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival - Cosmic Horror & Tales of the Supernatural 2025 - Narrative Short
- Portland Horror Film Festival 2025 - Short Films
- Ravenheart International Film Festival 2025
- H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival - Cosmic Horror & Tales of the Supernatural 2024 generic
Full credits
| Director | Ryan Mackfall |
| Cast | Craig Russell (The Watcher), Mary Woodvine (The Veteran), Rimca Karmakar (The Rising Star), Kevin Horsham (Oystercatcher), Leah Devine (Forensic Investigator), Paul Sewry (Forensic Investigator), Neil Fox (Forensic Investigator), Charlie Fripp (Oystercatcher Seer), Chris Ranger (Oystercatcher Boatman) |
| Screenplay | Lachlan Marks, Ryan Mackfall |
| Producer | Kingsley Marshall |
| Executive producer | Neil Fox |
| Cinematography | Howard Mills |
| Editing | James Bower, Josh Brumpton, Phoebe Jeffery |
| Music | Neil Halstead |
Technical
| Runtime | 14 min |
| Colour | Color |
| Shooting format | Digital |
Identifiers & sources
| IMDb | tt14685852 |
| TMDB | 1357411 |
| FILMFREEWAY | TheBirdwatcher436 |
Additional data: TMDB.
