NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - As part of its monthly independent film series, the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of "Ghost Bird" at 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

Scott Crocker's 85-minute documentary investigates the alleged 2005 sightings in eastern Arkansas of the ivory-billed woodpecker-a species presumed extinct for 60 years-and the resulting financial and political effects of the recovery effort for the lost species. Despite professed sightings by expert bird-watchers, credible evidence of the woodpecker is still absent, even six years later.

The documentary received the Cine 2010 Golden Eagle Award and the Southern Soul of Independent Film Award. According to The New York Times, "Crocker has turned a bird-watching tale into a multi-layered story that will fascinate practically everybody…."

The film is sponsored in part by Julie and Cliff Shackelford and Nacogdoches Junior Forum.

Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, please call (936) 468-1131.