George Cotter Retrospective
November 21 @ 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Join us for a celebration of George Cotter’s career with a free viewing of some of his movies.
Trail blazing Manitoba nature filmmaker George Cotter (1915-2011) had a remarkable film career that spanned four decades. Cotter hauled his Bolex camera across the province to patiently gather remarkable footage of wildlife and nature in every season. He was a pioneer in promoting conservation and being a good steward of nature.
Cotter emerged during an era where most other celebrated nature filmmakers like David Attenborough, Jacques Cousteau, or Marlin Perkins were more interested in exotic wildlife and locales faraway—Cotter was interested in what he was observing here at home. His straight-talking commentary about plants, wildlife behaviour, and outdoor education meant his 16mm film prints were a staple for classrooms, clubs, and community screenings across the province.
These films range from a more objective and expositional tone, to the more personal—even sincere and folky—rooted in Cotter’s experiences that we observe with him while watching. Cotter took as his slogan the Latin Dum Spiro Spero, “While I breath, I hope” which is still a reminder of the work needed to preserve and protect our natural world.
COTTER SHORTS — PROGRAM TWO
Length: 66 min
Dum Spiro Spero—While I Breathe, I hope (6min)
2026 Directed by Kevin Nikkel
A portrait of George Cotter’s career as a ground breaking Manitoba nature filmmaker.
Prairie Giant (21 min)
The life story of the giant Canada goose. Featuring migration, nesting, rearing of goslings—and the
final dispersal to moulting grounds.
Winter Gallery (18 min)
A showcase of the wildlife one might see on a hike through a winter forest; includes creatures such as snowshoe hares, gray jay, red squirrel, sharptailed grouse and white-tailed deer.
The Great Grey Owl / Pese-Way-Ohoo ‘The Feathery One’ (6 min)
A vivid portrait of the nesting and home life of the great grey owl.
Wildlife Surrounds Us (15 min)
A survey of the many birds and mammals that are home to the Manitoba prairie
This event is free and we are offering a reduced admission of $10 if you wish to visit the Discovery Centre.