Mitchell Wenkus
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Hundreds of bird species migrate through Chicago every year, and glass presents a major issue for these beautiful creatures. Broken Flight highlights the work of dedicated avian advocates who try to rescue the birds that collide with Chicago’s skyscrapers. The tireless work of these bird lovers underscores our connection to the natural world. Currently, the film is playing in festivals only.


Upcoming Screenings:
​
Nottingham Film Festival - November 3-9, 2025 (Nottingham, UK)​

​Big Picture Peoria Film Festival - November 21-22, 2025 (Peoria, IL)
​
Previous Film Festival Screenings:

Sheboygan Film Festival - October 3, 2025 (Sheboygan, WI) - WINNER BEST SHORT FILM

Better Cities Film Festival - September 20, 2025 (Detroit, MI) - WINNER OF HERO AWARD

Urban Birding Festival - September 13, 2025 (Chicago, IL)

FilmSlam Program (Part of Cleveland International Film Festival) - Month of September, 2025 (Northeast Ohio School District)

Lockport Library - August 14, 2025 (Lockport, IL)

Maine Outdoor Film Festival - July 23-27, 2025 (Portland, Maine)

46th CineFestival San Antonio - July 9-13, 2025 (San Antonio, Texas)

Little Village Public Library - July 12th, 2025 ( 12 - 2 p.m.) (Chicago, IL) 

Bentonville Film Festival - June 16-22, 2025 (Bentonville, Arkansas)

Midwest Film Festival - May 16th, 2025, 6 p.m. (Chicago, IL) - NOMINEE BEST OF THE MIDWEST

One Earth Film Festival - April 23rd, 2025 at 6 p.m. (Oak Park, IL and Chicago Screenings)

Cascadia International Women's Film Festival - April 24-27, 2025 (in person) May 1-11 (online)

​Annapolis Film Festival - March 27-30, 2025 (Annapolis, MD)

Frozen River Film Festival - February 9-16, 2025 (Winona, Minnesota) 

Kane County Audubon Community Screening - March 12, 2025 (St Charles, IL)

Community Screening at Anchorage Museum - March 13, 2025 (Anchorage, AK) 

Minnesota Film Festival - March 19-23, 2025 (Duluth, MN)


Anchorage International  -  December 6-14, 2024 ( Anchorage, Alaska) WINNER OF BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY

St. Louis International - Nov 10, 2024 (St. Louis, Missouri)

City of Lights - Nov 9th, 2024 (Aurora, IL)

Fresh Coast - Oct 20th, 2024 (Marquette, MI)

Chicago International - Oct 18 & 23, 2024 (Chicago, IL)

Port Townsend Film Fest - Sept 21 &22, 2024 (Port Townsend, WA)

Mountain Film Fest - Sept 1, 2024 (Telluride, CO)

Alternating Currents - Aug 15, 2024 (Davenport, IA)

Blackstar - Aug 1, 2024 (Philadelphia, PA)

Filmfort - March 23, 2024 (Boise, ID)

DC Environmental - Washington, DC - March 23, 2024 (Honorable Mention: Eric Moe Award for Best Short on Sustainability)

Credits:
Directors: Mitchell Wenkus and Erika Valenciana
Producers: Mitchell Wenkus and Erika Valenciana
Cinematographer: Mitchell Wenkus
Editor: Magdalena Hernández
Sound Recordists: Mitchell Wenkus and Ben Nissen
Original Music by: Chris Otepka, Adam Tisdale, and Steven Wilson
Music Recorded and Mixed by: Mark Walker
Sound Designed and Mixed by: Rosángela Hernández
Colorist: Emma Blackman
Consulting Producers:  Ian Kibbe and Rocco Cataldo
Community Consultants: Bob Dolgan, Adriana Garcia, and Carl Giometti


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 Stills from the Film


Birds of Chicago

Mitchell filmed these birds in parks and beaches throughout Chicago. 
  • Home / Reel
  • Work Samples
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