Fairfield & Groton — Following two sold-out screenings this past spring in Fairfield and Glastonbury, “Flyway of Life”—an awe-inspiring documentary celebrating the Atlantic Flyway and the incredible migratory journey of North America’s birds—returns to Connecticut with two special events this October.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker and Sacred Heart alumnus Tomas Koeck, “Flyway of Life” highlights the essential role of habitats along the Atlantic Flyway, exploring how ecosystems from Canada’s tundra to Costa Rica’s jungles are interconnected through bird migration.
Featuring scientists, naturalists, and conservation leaders, the film connects environmental storytelling with science and advocacy. Featuring wildlife scientists, conservationists, and naturalists, the film explores several different ecosystems along America’s easternmost migration path—showing how different habitats are interconnected.
The October 1 event will take place at the University of Connecticut Avery Point’s Alexey von Schlippe Gallery and the campus auditorium in Groton, Connecticut. Attendees will begin at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery at 4 pm with a reception and exhibition of photographs by Tomas Koeck. At 4:30 pm Tomas Koeck and Jon Dodd of the Atlantic Shark Institute will discuss Tomas’s new film Chasing Fins, a film about sharks off of New England, which is now streaming on PBS. At 5:30 pm visitors will make a short walk to the campus auditorium for the 6pm screening for Flyway of Life followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker, and book signing.
The screening will follow on October 5th at the Sacred Heart University Community Theatre in downtown Fairfield, marking the film’s much-anticipated return to the venue where it played to a sold-out audience earlier this year. The event will be followed by a book signing as well.
Both events will also feature a special presentation by Tomas Koeck, the producer of the project.
“Bringing Flyway of Life back to Connecticut, especially after two sold-out events this past spring, is deeply meaningful,” said Tomas Koeck. “These screenings are about more than just showcasing a film—they’re about building a community of people who care about conservation, storytelling, and our shared natural world.”
The presentation is being made possible by The Alexey von Schlippe Gallery at UConn Avery Point and Sacred Heart University Media & the Arts, in partnership with The Explorers Club New England Chapter, Canon USA, the Connecticut Audubon Society and the National Audubon Society. Filmmaker Tomas Koeck, a Sacred Heart alumni, received a 2024 Connecticut Sea Arts Support Award for his Flyway of Life project, which supported the publication of a companion book to the film.
Event Details
University of Connecticut Avery Point
Alexey von Schlippe Gallery & Auditorium, Groton, CT
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
⏰4pm Reception & Gallery | 6pm Film Screening
Free Admission
Details: UConn Event Link
Sacred Heart University Community Theatre
1420 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT
Sunday, October 5th, 2025
⏰ 1pm Film Screening
Tickets & Info: SHU Community Theatre Event Link
About the Filmmaker
Tomas Koeck is an award-winning filmmaker, Canon USA-backed photographer, and environmental storyteller who has been on assignment for National Geographic, Smithsonian Channel, and PBS Nature. He seeks to give a voice to wildlife through journalism, film, and advocacy.
Links
Website for film: www.flywayfilm.com
▶ Trailer: Flyway of Life Trailer
Contacts
Tomas Koeck | Director, Flyway of Life | tomaskoeck@gmail.com | 203-455-4671
Connecticut Audubon Society
Alisha Milardo | Director, RTPEC | amilardo@ctaudubon.org
UCONN, AS Gallery
Jeanne Ciravolo | UConn Alexey von Schlippe Gallery | jeanne.ciravolo@uconn.edu
Syma Ebbin | CT Sea Grant | syma.ebbin@uconn.edu