More info on the project

This documentary explores the innovative use of barn owls (Tyto alba) as a natural and sustainable method for agricultural pest control in Cyprus. By promoting barn owl conservation and installing nest boxes across farming areas, local communities have significantly reduced rodent populations without relying on harmful chemical rodenticides. The film highlights the ecological benefits, cost-effectiveness, and long-term sustainability of this approach, emphasizing how it protects biodiversity, improves crop yields, and supports a healthier environment. Through collaboration between farmers, scientists, and conservationists, Cyprus is setting an inspiring example of how working with nature can provide practical solutions to modern agricultural challenges.

Credits

  • A documentary for: The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus

  • A Production of: Treehouse Films

  • Director/DoP: Constantinos Christou

  • Editing: Iacovos Charalambous

  • Original Score: Arsenios Agisilaou

  • Sound Mixing: Hook Recording Art Studio

  • Colour Correction: Marios Stylianou

  • Motion Graphics: Valentinos Demetriou

  • Subtitling: Diamanto Stylianou – Delta Dot Human-Generated Language Services

  • Poster: Andriani Evropi Christou

  • Interviewees in order of appearance:

    – Haris Nikolaou (Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment – National Action Plan Coordinator)

    – Giorgos Alexandrakis (Farmer from the community of Kalavasos)

    – Christodoulos Christodoulou (Farmer from the community of Denia)

    – Michalis Zacharia (Forestry Officer – Department of Forests)

    – Sotiris Sotiriou (Senior Agricultural Officer – Department of Agriculture)

    – Nikos Kasinis (Senior Officer – Game and Fauna Service, Ministry of the Interior)

    – Panayiotis Konstantinou (Veterinary Officer – Veterinary Services Department)

    – Haris Chatzistyllis (Officer – Game and Fauna Service, Ministry of the Interior)

    – Antaia Christou (Conservation Programmes Officer – BirdLife Cyprus)

    – Dr. Maria Panayiotou (Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment)

Awards

  • Official Selection at the “Jákotpuszta Shepherd’s Day and Nature Film Festival”

  • Official Selection at the “FIIN Short Film Festival of Biodiversity”