Judy Irving, the accomplished Media Executive Director of Pelican, is a renowned filmmaker with a string of impressive credits to her name. Her feature documentaries have captivated audiences worldwide, showcasing her unique storytelling abilities and dedication to exploring the human relationship with the natural world.
Among her notable works is "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill," a heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship between a homeless street musician and a flock of wild parrots in San Francisco. This critically acclaimed film was hailed as one of the "Top Ten Films of the Year" by the National Film Critics' Poll and earned a spot as the highest-rated program on the PBS series "Independent Lens." It has since entered international distribution.
Irving's other notable documentaries include "Pelican Dreams," which delves into the lives of California brown pelicans and the people who know them best; "Dark Circle," a personal film that examines the links between nuclear power and weapons; and "Cold Refuge," a thought-provoking exploration of how swimming in open water can mitigate life's challenges.
Throughout her career, Irving has received numerous accolades, including a Sundance Grand Prize and a National Emmy for "Dark Circle." Her films have screened in over 100 theaters and have been streamed by Netflix.
Born and raised in the United States, Irving spent her childhood summers on the North Fork of Long Island, where her love for birds was first sparked by her grandfather. She went on to graduate from Connecticut College with a degree in Psychology and later received her Masters in Film and Broadcasting from Stanford University, as well as a Guggenheim Fellowship in Film.
Irving's passion for documentary filmmaking has taken her to various parts of the world, including Alaska, Japan, Russia, Nepal, and Zimbabwe. Her films often focus on themes of peace and the environment, and birds seem to play a recurring role in her work. Her interest in the wild parrot flock flying over San Francisco's north waterfront led to the creation of "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill," while her own habit of swimming year-round in the San Francisco Bay inspired her most recent documentary, "Cold Refuge."
