The Grand Takes Flight for a Weekend-Long “Birdsacre Benefit” Screening Series!

Ellsworth, Maine - The Grand presents a weekend of films for the birds to benefit Birdsacre – The Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary, from Friday May 16th through Sunday, May 18th. The Saturday event also includes live owls on stage with the folks from Birdsacre. Tickets for each day are $10 Adults/Seniors, $5 Youth (12 and under) for general admission. Proceeds will be shared with Birdsacre in support of their rebuilding efforts after a tragic fire in March.

The Cordelia Stanwood Homestead was severely damaged in a arsonist-set fire in early March. The building was uninsured and much needs to be done to repair the damage to the home and begin conservation of damaged objects. The Grand has partnered with Birdsacre for a weekend of films to help raise funds for repair. A donation box will be in the lobby for direct support and proceeds from the films will be shared with Birdsacre.

• Friday, May 16th at 7 pm. “The Birds”. Based on Daphne du Maurier's short story of the same name,
this Alfred Hitchcock classic tells the story of a wealthy San Francisco socialite who pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town, a situation that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people there in increasing numbers and with increasing viciousness. With Tippi Hedren (in her film debut), Rod Taylor, Suzanne Pleshette and Jessica Tandy.

• Saturday, May 17th at 11 am. A special family film – "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole". Acclaimed filmmaker Zack Snyder ("Man of Steel", "Watchmen") makes his animation debut with the fantasy family adventure "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" based on the beloved "Guardians of Ga'Hoole" books by Kathryn Lasky. With the voices of Sam Neil, Geoffrey Rush, Hugo Weaving, Abbie Cornish and Helen Mirren. Birdsacre will have a presentation with live owls on stage before the film.

• Sunday, May 18th at 2 pm. “A Birder's Guide to Everything”. David Portnoy (Kodi Smit-McPhee), a 15-year-old birding fanatic, thinks that he's made the discovery of a lifetime. So, on the eve of his father's remarriage, he escapes on an epic road trip with his best friends to solidify their place in birding history. With Ben Kingsley and James LeGros.

Please be aware both “The Birds” and “A Birder's Guide to Everything” are rated PG-13, while "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" is rated PG. So bring the whole family and share the experience of seeing fine-feathered films while helping a great cause– as The Grand presents “A Benefit for Birdsacre.”
For more information on these or other Grand events, please call the box office at 207-667-9500 or visit

The Grand website at www.grandonline.org or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Grand-Auditorium/112755987339