Leonardo DiCaprio’s The 11th Hour Wins Earthwatch’s 22nd Annual Film Award
Earthwatch Institute, Maynard, MA, March 1, 2008 - In partnership with the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital and National Geographic Live!, Earthwatch, the world's largest international environmental volunteer organization, will present its 22nd Annual Earthwatch Film Award to the makers of The 11th Hour. A screening of the film will precede the award ceremony in the Gilbert H. Grosvenor Auditorium at the National Geographic Society Headquarters in Washington, DC, on Thursday, March 20, at 7 PM, and will be followed by a panel discussion. The event is open to the public; tickets must be purchased in advance through National Geographic Live!'s website. Reduced price tickets are available to Earthwatch and National Geographic Society members.
Leila Conners Petersen, co-director, writer, and producer of The 11th Hour, will accept the award on behalf of Nadia Conners (co-director, writer, producer), Chuck Castleberry and Brian Gerber (producers), and Mr. DiCaprio, producer and on-screen narrator. Ms. Conners Petersen will participate in the panel discussion with Earthwatch President and CEO Edward Wilson, Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Global Green USA, and Dr. Wallace "J." Nichols. Dr. Nichols is one of dozens of leading environmental scientists featured in the film, a Senior Scientist at Ocean Conservancy, and a long-time co-Principal Investigator on Earthwatch's marine science field research expeditions.
Earlier in the day, the members of the panel will be interviewed by host Tonya Fitzpatrick on the nationally syndicated radio show, "Travel'n On," which regularly features stories on environmental issues as they relate to sustainable travel and volunteering opportunities worldwide. Many of the key insights of The 11th Hour stem from the recognition that peoples, cultures, and ecosystems across the world are now intertwined in ways unmatched in human history. While these interdependencies have accelerated the pace of environmental harm, they can also unleash the collective potential of human beings to create more sustainable systems.
The 11th Hour premiered at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and saw theatrical release in US and European cities throughout the year. A DVD release is scheduled for April 2008. Earthwatch selected the film for its 22nd environmental filmmaking award in recognition of the powerful way it combines strong assessments of the world's environmental challenges with scientifically-based, inspirational, and hopeful calls to action.
Similarly, The New York Times called the film "essential viewing" and praised its emphasis on the reasons for hope even in the face of mounting environmental crises: "The capacity for human beings to fight, to rise to the occasion...gives hope where none might seem possible." The Times also noted that the film's focus on "...our astonishing capacity for hope...distinguishes [it] and speaks so powerfully, in part because it is this all-too-human quality that may finally force us to fight the good fight against the damage we have done and continue to do." The 11th Hour was previously honored with a Clarion Award from the International Visual Communications Association, in recognition of its success in promoting social inclusion, sustainable development and ethical debate, and by the Multicultural Motion Picture Association's Diversity Award for "Best Documentary Feature."
DiCaprio, an acclaimed actor (Blood Diamond, The Departed, The Aviator), environmental activist, and filmmaker (Global Warning, Water Planet) spearheaded the 11th Hour film project and web-based action campaign (http://www.11thhouraction.com/). The 11th Hour marks DiCaprio's third collaboration with Conners and Conners Petersen and their colleagues at Tree Media Group, the film's production company (http://www.treemedia.com/). DiCaprio and Tree Media assembled leading scientists, philosophers, historians, engineers, former government leaders, and environmental activists to give engaging descriptions of the challenges we face and how we might best meet them. On-screen experts include: renowned environmental broadcaster, author, and geneticist David Suzuki, esteemed physicist Stephen Hawking, former CIA Director R. James Woolsey, Nobel Peace laureate and international Green Belt movement founder Wangari Maathaii, and others.
Earthwatch's film award program has honored environmental filmmaking for more than 20 years, recognizing the power and potential of visual media to reach mass audiences and inspire them to take action on behalf of our shared environment.
Earthwatch Institute is the world's largest environmental volunteer nonprofit organization. Its mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Earthwatch was founded in Boston in 1971 and affiliate offices are based in the UK, Australia, and Japan. With approximately 120 projects fielding in more than 55 countries worldwide, Earthwatch focuses its research efforts on climate change, endangered species and resources, marine biology and ocean conservation, and threatened traditional cultures.
Contact
For press information please contact Kristen Kusek, Director of Public Relations, at 1-800-776-0188 ext. 281; kkusek@earthwatch.org. (Press passes are available.)
For event information please contact Rachel Borgesano, Events Manager, at 1-800-776-0188 ext. 212; rborgesano@earthwatch.org.
The 11th Hour Official Film Site
The 11th Hour Action Campaign
Tree Media Group
Tree Media Group's mission is to use media to support and sustain civil society. Tree Media Group was founded by sisters Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners and has entered its ninth year of operation. The company's creation dates back to the emergence of new technologies that would allow for a more democratic dissemination of ideas. Over the last nine years, Tree Media Group has consistently worked on projects that disseminate progressive messages and ideas.
Contact
Holli Fajack, Executive Assistant
310-450-4343
holli@treemedia.com
About National Geographic Live!
National Geographic Live! is a branded series of events including live concerts, films, and dynamic presentations by today's leading explorers, scientists, filmmakers, and photographers covering a wide range of topics including exploration and adventure; wildlife and habitat; natural phenomena; and relevant issues such as climate change and energy conservation.
Contact
Greg McGruder, VP, National Geographic Live! and Museum
202-828-5661
gmcgrude@ngs.org
Karen Rooker, National Geographic Live! Ticket office
202-857-7701
krooker@ngs.org
About The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital
The 16th Annual Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital will run March 11-22, 2008.
In 2007, the Festival presented 115 films providing fresh perspectives on global environments to a large audience of 20,000 at 46 diverse venues throughout the city. Selections from many international film festivals, including cinematic work from 27 countries, 50 D.C., U.S. and World premieres and two Academy Award-winning documentaries highlighted the 2007 Festival. Biologist E.O. Wilson, filmmaker George Butler, genome pioneer Craig Venter and New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman were among the 136 filmmakers, scientists and special guests who discussed their work during 2007 Festival events. For up to date information on the 2008 Festival, visit their website
Contact
Helen Strong, Public Affairs Director
202-342-2564
envirofilmfest@igc.org