The symbol of the Firebird is a significant as a title and metaphor in the documentary, as for me, it represents the element of fire and the transformative energies of love and hope.

Maria Craig Firebird

Many people have asked me how they can watch ‘Firebird,’ and I’m excited to share that on my website the film can be rented for a small fee (around £3). This also includes a follow-up to the documentary, a short bonus film, ‘A Sanctuary Reborn’ which I produced with Alex Wright. This was released in April 2025, showcasing the opening of the new Sanctuary of Light in the heart of the community.

In making Firebird, I’ve witnessed first-hand the despair and anguish the Community was facing at this time, and that despite this, we were well aware that greater challenges are being faced by many people all over the world.

My aim in making this documentary was that in sharing our story, the film will connect with others globally who are facing similar challenges of loss, and my hope is that ‘Firebird’ might just ignite a spark of encouragement and hope in their heart.

Firebird is now making its way around the globe via eco communities. It has been shown in many places, including in the Park Ecovillage Findhorn Community here in Scotland, Auroville in India, Narara community in Australia, on the East Coast of America in Ithaca, Sirius and Twin Oaks. and at the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) Gathering in Sweden in August 2024.

Film Description – ‘an eco community in the heat of crisis’ (2022)

The Ecovillage Findhorn in The North of Scotland, one of the oldest ecological and spiritual communities in the world is preparing for its 60th anniversary under a cloud of growing uncertainty as the community struggles to navigate one crisis after another.

Over the past three years, the whole world has suffered from existential threats, affecting economic, social and emotional security, and the Findhorn Ecovillage community is no different. This feature documentary explores the sequence of pivotal events which has inflicted significant and detrimental blows to the ecovillage, impacting individuals and the community as a whole. However, despite this series of setbacks, the community is hanging in together in an effort to transform and restore negative situations into positive opportunities for the future.

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On the website you can also find The Story So Far and Growing Up Green.