The Message of the Lyrebird is an award-winning documentary that explores the intricate web of life within Australia’s forests, focusing on the lyrebird as a symbol of ecological harmony. The film highlights the interconnectedness of nature, science, and culture, emphasising the role of sound and mimicry in nature’s communication systems. It invites viewers to listen deeply to the environment and recognise their place within the natural world.

Come on a journey deep into the native forests of Australia, where a scientist, a study group, a lyrebird sound recordist, a lyrebird keeper, an activist, and a Knowledge Holder descended from the People of the Lyrebird help us understand not only the lyrebird’s sophisticated artwork, but what its message may be for humanity.

Year Levels: 5 - 12 Duration: 60min
Genres: Education/Documentary/Family Classification: G - General Audiences

ECHOES OF NATURE, CULTURE AND CONSERVATION
Through scientific inquiry and creative expression, students will develop an understanding of their role in protecting natural environments and become active participants in environmental stewardship.

A brief overview of learnings include:

• The interconnectedness of ecosystems, storytelling, and conservation.

• Mimicry, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.

• Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, the role of storytelling in preserving knowledge.

FREE CLASSROOM SCREENINGS
A week of free screenings will be available for schools during Schools National Tree Day on Friday 24th July, until Friday 31st July, 2026. A Study Guide (lesson resource) will be made available for educators, which includes streaming access to the film for classroom use. Register for a screening at the top of this page.

WHERE TO WATCH?

The Message of the Lyrebird will be made available to stream from The Education Shop for Australian teachers, educators, students, and parents. More information about streaming from The Education Shop coming soon.

For personal/home viewing (non-classroom use) The Message of the Lyrebird is available to stream on SBS OnDemand.

“I was genuinely blown away by how this film interconnects with multiple key learning areas across the Australian Curriculum. Its breadth and depth make it an outstanding educational resource, supporting cross-curricular priorities and aligning seamlessly with the senior Geography syllabus and related learning outcomes.”

— Kate Spry, NSW Youth and Education Landcare Coordinator

“The Message of the Lyrebird claimed ‘1st Place Commercial Film’ at our 38th Animal Behavior Society Film Festival. The film gives students and educators an inside look at how animal behaviour is studied in the wild and the passion behind the scientific work.”

— Barbara Clucas, Associate Professor, Department of Wildlife, Cal Poly Humboldt, California (previously known as Humboldt State University)

CURRICULUM LINKS TO THE FILM

The Message of the Lyrebird ATOM Study Guide will be made available for free download (limited time).

Relevant for Year Levels 5 - 12 in the learning areas:

• Biological Sciences

• Science as a Human Endeavour

• Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

• The Arts (Media Arts, Visual Arts)

• English

Cross-Curriculum Priories include:

• Sustainability

• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

General Capabilities include:

• Critical & Creative Thinking

• Ethical Understanding

• Intercultural Understanding

WATCH TRAILER

AWARDS

Winner: Best International Documentary Film on Animal
2023 Filmmakers United International Film Festival (FUIFF) – Birmingham, United Kingdom

Honorary Awardee: Pigeon D’or Award
2023 Luis Bunuel Memorial Awards – Kolkata, India

Finalist: Nature & Wildlife Documentary
2023 Stars of Wild Beauty International Film Festival – Podgorica, Montenegro

Finalist: Best Documentary Feature
2022 Animalis Fabula Film Festival – Texas, United States

Finalist: Best Documentary Feature
2022 Wolves Independent International Film Festival – Utena, Lithuania

Winner: Best Documentary Film
2022 Annual Indie Cinema Awards – Helsinki, Finland

Winner: 1st Place Commercial Film
2022 Animal Behavior Society Film Festival – California, United States / San José, Costa Rica

Winner: Best Feature Documentary
2022 Indie Cinema Awards [Season 2] – Helsinki, Finland

Winner: Best Film on Nature/Environment/Wildlife
2022 L'Age d'Or International Arthouse Film Festival – West Bengal, India

Award of Merit – Nature/Environment/Wildlife
2022 Indiefest Film Awards – California, United States

Award of Merit – Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
2022 Indiefest Film Awards – California, United States

Winner: Best of Fest
2022 Animalis Fabula Film Festival [January Season] – Texas, United States

Award of Merit
2022 Nature Without Borders International Film Festival – Delaware, United States

Winner: Best Film on Nature/Environment/Wildlife
2021 Royal Society of Television & Motion Picture Awards – Kolkata, India

Bronze Honour Award - Ron Taylor AM ACS & Valerie Taylor AM Wildlife & Nature
2021 Australian Cinematographers Society – Victoria, Australia

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

2022 Ireland Wildlife Film Festival Dublin – Ireland
2022 S.O.F.A Film Festival Republic of Cyprus
2022 Montreal Independent Film Festival Montreal – Canada
2022 Catalina Film Festival Los Angeles, California – United States
2022 San Francisco Frozen Film Festival San Francisco - California
2022 Australian Inspirational Film Festival Perth, Western Australia – Australia
2022 International Nature and Environment Film Festival Gödöllő, Budapest – Hungary
2022 San Francisco IndeFest Green Film Festival San Francisco, California – United States
2022 Wild & Scenic Film Festival Nevada City, California – United States
2021 Wildlife Conservation Film Festival New York, New York – United States