A young incarcerated black man recalls a defining episode of his childhood in the rural American South, in this absorbing short film by Lauren Maya Davis.

With stunning black and white cinematography by Jack McDonald and a soundtrack by Lionmilk and Jon GK in place of dialogue, Davis draws us into the world of the young boy and his sister, their encounter with the eponymous songbirds in a deserted house, and how a fateful discovery leads to far-reaching effects.

With its evocative setting and the strength of her young actors' performances, Davis creates a resonant story of oppression with a real sense of visual poetry.

Based on scenes from BK Loren's novel Theft, the film was awarded bronze at the 2024 CICLOPE Festival and has won prizes at several US film festivals in the past few months. It's a hugely accomplished feat from a young British director of considerable promise.