SF CritterFest presents:
FLAMINGOS: LIFE AFTER THE METEORITE

This is a story about life — stubborn, fragile and fleeting — that began 66 million years ago, when a giant meteorite crashed in what is now the Yucatán Peninsula, wiping out the dinosaurs from existence. Millennia later, tens of thousands of Caribbean flamingos flock to the region for a grand display of courtship, turning the muddy banks into a vast maternity ward for the next generation. This incredible undertaking by phoenicopterus ruber to breed — building mud nests in a prominent flood zone, finding a mate among a horde of competitors, evading scores of hungry predators — was captured over a two-year period in partnership with the esteemed Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Humorous, offbeat narration by Mexican singer Julieta Venegas, an engrossing score by Bryce Dessner and breathtaking natural photography combine to create a singular wildlife documentary that will make you appreciate the hardy flamingo and the preciousness of life itself. —Javier Chavez, AFI

TALKING TO OWLS

Deep in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, a rare sky island forest comes alive after dusk with a chorus of owls. Biologists and graduate students move through the night, following calls and fleeting silhouettes to uncover surprising adaptations, curious behaviors, and the vital roles these birds play in the mountain’s food web. Their discoveries highlight the resilience of wildlife while underscoring the quiet urgency of protecting this fragile habitat.

SF IndieFest's latest festival is CritterFest, September 17 - 20, 2026, a series of films about animals, pets, wildlife. CritterFest is interested in exploring the profound resonance and interaction between humans and the animal kingdom with an eye towards the animal-human relationship.