The Thing That Ate The Birds

On the North Yorkshire Moors, Abel, Head Gamekeeper, discovers the thing that is eating his grouse.

  • Sophie Mair
    Director
    Ella, And The Baby Screamed
  • Dan Gitsham
    Director
    Ella, And The Baby Screamed
  • Sophie Mair
    Writer
    Ella, And The Baby Screamed
  • Dan Gitsham
    Writer
    Ella, And The Baby Screamed
  • Rebecca Wolff
    Producer
    The Sermon, Circles, The Knackerman, Honey At The Top, Satan's Bite: or The Foolishness of the Witchfinder Thomas Eastchurch
  • Jude Goldrei
    Producer
    Closure, Zebra Face: Cloud Trouble, Street Spirit, Sneezy on the Mic, Murmur
  • Sophie Mair
    Producer
    Ella, And The Baby Screamed
  • Eoin Slattery
    Key Cast
    "Abel"
    Borstal Boy, The Making of Scared Stiff, Detention, Gonnabes, Refuge, Jewel Intentions
  • Rebecca Palmer
    Key Cast
    "Grace"
    The Gathering, Hartfelt Toys, M.I.High, Mary Queen of Scots, Flytopia, Nearly Famous,
  • Lewis Mackinnon
    Key Cast
    "Jake"
  • The Thing That Ate The Birds
    Key Cast
    "James Swanton"
    Salt
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Horror
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 14, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39.1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • ALTER Studios LLC
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
  • BFI
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
Director Biography - Sophie Mair, Dan Gitsham

Writer/Directors Sophie Mair and Dan Gitsham are partners in life and film. They have been creatively collaborating since 2007 in the world of genre. They have screened at over 150 film festivals worldwide. Dan is a previous Screen International Star of Tomorrow. In 2010 they were commissioned by UK Film Council to make the short film ELLA starring Anthony Head. From 2011-2014 they developed ELLA (the feature screenplay) to third draft with Creative England and in the same year were picked as part of iFeatures Development program with their horror project KEEPER.

After a life hiatus (the birth of two beautiful boys) they came back with AND THE BABY SCREAMED in 2018, which screened at festivals including Encounters and London Short Film Fest. At the beginning of 2019 they made a self-funded short BILL and Sophie was awarded a John Brabourne Award. They then joined forces with genre producers Jude Goldrei of Lunar Lander Films and Becca Wolff of Grasp the Nettle Films and received production funding from BFI Network and LA production company Gunpowder & Sky to create THE THING THAT ATE THE BIRDS (TTTATB). They are now in development with a feature entitled GINGER.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film has evolved from our growing anxiety of the world around us. From Brexit to Trump, the rise of Far Right Politics and seemingly random acts of violence and oppression, we live in a time of uncertainty where society feels on the verge of self-destruction. Since becoming parents our concerns have only been magnified. What world are we raising our children to live in?

Abel is a product of his insular and isolated environment with his casual bigotry and patriarchal views. His world is changing but he remains stagnant. He fears this, he is on edge and he is ready to explode.

When Abel shoots the innocent creature it is first out of instinct but shots two and three are premeditated and sadistic. Get out of my back yard and go back to where you came from. Someone needs to pay for his fear and uncertainty.

As reality and fantasy collide Abel’s actions become self-destructive. His unflinching violent act towards the Creature leads to the collapse of everything he holds dear. Contextually one of Abel’s greatest fears is to see his home being invaded by those that don’t look like him.

If only Abel could adapt and evolve. If only he could communicate instead of react then maybe his marriage and soul could be saved. Grace represents a strong character that won’t put up with him anymore, she’s had enough but he cannot bare for her to leave. The final image of a decapitated Abel suggests he has lost his head and maybe society has too.