Under the Overpass
Directed by James DeLisio (2025) | 3 minutes
A flock of Cliff Swallows oscillates between their nest along the Interstate 5 Freeway, and the San Dieguito River. The border between the concrete and the estuary becomes blurred between a poem and a scientific research paper.
The film draws attention to the often-overlooked liminal spaces of built environments, where ecological rhythms and human-made infrastructure converge ... DeLisio charts the oscillations of the swallows’ movements and explores border spaces between natural and constructed, rural and urban, and science and art; each viewing produces different constellations of meaning, inviting the audience to join the swallows. -A La Luz, "Films of Return"
"In time for the Spring Migration our March issue focuses on stories about birds—whether through sight or sound. From whispered wings in the canopy to spectral calls in the night, birds are messengers, omens, and keepers of histories we have yet to decode. Some of these films may also serve as cautionary tales, told from a bird’s-eye perspective, warning us about the uncertain future of our planet. Others may explore our grounded, human gaze—looking up, searching for meaning in flight. How do birds see us? How do we listen to them?" - Labocine, "Birds on Record"
Screenings
A La Luz: Films of Return | Online | September 2025
Disappear Here: “Living With Buildings VIII” | Coventry, UK | July 2025
Eco Film + Media Arts Festival | Los Angeles, CA | February 2025
Labocine: Birds on Record | Online | March 2025
National Film Festival for Talented Youth (Jury Award Nominee: Best Experimental) | Seattle, WA | April 2025