Two brothers with no prior experience or knowledge of birds decide to become extreme birdwatchers in “Listers,” an acclaimed 2025 documentary. (Screenshot of movie poster)


Staff Report


“Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching,” which Slate calls “Fear and Loathing” for birding, will get a free screening immediately following Kachemak Bay Birders brief business meeting at 5:30 p.m., April 28, at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters Visitor Center (formerly known as Islands and Oceans).


There is no charge, just an optional donation to the Kachemak Bay Shorebid Festival.


This is the story of two young Midwestern brothers who have no money and no idea how to identify birds but dive into competitive birdwatching anyway, living in a van for a year while traveling across the country to participate in a Big Year contest. Alvaro Jaramillo, this year’s keynote speaker, appears in the film. It has earned rave reviews and an IMDb rating of 8.5 out of 10.


“Listers” also will be shown during the Shorebird Festival on Friday, May 8, at 4:15 p.m., and 10:15 a.m., Sunday, May 10.


Local birders, however, note that this screening gives them an opportunity to fund raise for the festival and to see the film before they get busy hosting, leading and participating in multiple festival events.


In its program, the festival notes that “the film contains mature language and reference to drugs. Some rate it leaning to Rated-R.” Due to its two-hour length, there will be a brief intermission.