In an epic story of breathtaking scale, Disneynature’s upcoming True Life Adventure BEARS showcases a year in the life of a bear family as two impressionable young cubs are taught life’s most important lessons.
The lastest film comes from the two directors who brought us the truly amazing AFRICAN CATS andCHIMPANZEE – Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey. You can read my CATS interview with Scholey HERE.
Check out the brand new trailer and poster below.
Set against a majestic Alaskan backdrop teeming with life, their journey begins as winter comes to an end and the bears emerge from hibernation to face the bitter cold. The world outside is exciting – but risky – as the cubs’ playful descent down the mountain carries with it a looming threat of avalanches.
As the season changes from spring to summer, the brown bears must work hard to find food – ultimately feasting at a plentiful salmon run – while staying safe from rival male bears and predators, including an ever-present wolf pack. BEARS captures the fast-moving action and suspense of life in one of the planet’s last great wildernesses – Alaska!
The program See “Bears,” Protect Our National Parks invites moviegoers to see the film during opening week (April 18-24, 2014) and Disneynature, via the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, will make a contribution to the National Park Foundation to protect wildlife and wild places across America’s National Park system.
BEARS arrives in theaters April 18, 2014, to celebrate Earth Day.
Disneynature Collaborates with the African Wildlife Foundation to Help
Protect 50,000 Acres in Kenya’s Amboseli Wildlife Corridor
BURBANK, Calif. (May 2, 2011) – Disneynature announced today that its “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” campaign will help protect more than 50,000 acres of land in Kenya’s Amboseli Wildlife Corridor on behalf of the moviegoers who came out to see Disneynature’s motion picture AFRICAN CATS during its opening week (April 22-28, 2011). A portion of the proceeds from the opening-week ticket sales will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to ensure the future of lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the vibrant African savanna. Read WAMG’s exclusive interview with AFRICAN CATS c0-director, Keith Scholey, HERE.
The area to be protected equates to 100 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Parks or more than twice the size of Manhattan. The AWF will be working to establish the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by a variety of wildlife.
“We’re so proud that audiences nationwide have embraced the film and the ‘See “African Cats,” Save the Savanna’ initiative,” said Alan Bergman, president of The Walt Disney Studios. “The conservation efforts Disneynature has supported so far span the globe—from planting trees in Brazil, to preserving coral reef in The Bahamas and now protecting this essential passage in Kenya—they’ve become an extraordinary part of our films and audiences have played a key role in helping our planet.”
“The ‘See “African Cats,” Save the Savanna’ program transformed the moviegoing experience into tangible on-the-ground conservation action,” said Dr. Patrick Bergin, CEO, African Wildlife Foundation. “The commitment of Disneynature combined with the passion of moviegoers will raise critical funds to conserve the land that the magnificent species featured in “African Cats” call home. Through this amazing collaboration, we celebrate our 50th Anniversary together with Disneynature and all the people who are helping establish the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor.”
While the opening-week ticket sales will help protect more than 50,000 acres of the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, the conservation efforts tied to “African Cats” do not end there. Additional collaborations are committed to adding at least another 15,000 acres to the program–from the sale of artwork and jewelry inspired by the film, to the sale of Jordin Sparks’ “The World I Knew” single, to the Cast Member Earth Month pledges across the Walt Disney Company, plus more. These programs, many of them ongoing, support the “Save the Savanna” initiative, which will have a positive long term and sustainable impact on the animals and people of Africa.
“See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” continues Disneynature’s conservation efforts, which began with its first release, “Earth” (2009), for which three million trees were planted in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. The program in support of “Oceans” (2010) helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected areas in The Bahamas, which contain miles of vital coral reef.
AFRICAN CATS is in theaters now.
ABOUT THE MOVIE An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, “African Cats” captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leapt into theatres on Earth Day, April 22, 2011. For more information about the movie and the “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” initiative, check out Disney.com/AfricanCats.
ABOUT AWF Founded in 1961, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is a conservation organization focused solely on the African continent. AWF’s programs and conservation strategies are based on sound science and designed to protect both the wild lands and wildlife of Africa and ensure a more sustainable future for Africa’s people. Since its inception AWF has protected endangered species and land, promoted partnerships with the private sector for conservation tourism to benefit local African communities as a means to improve livelihoods, and trained hundreds of African nationals in conservation—all to ensure the survival of Africa’s unparalleled wildlife heritage. AWF is a non-profit organization currently operating in 14 countries across the continent. AWF is a registered 501(c)(3) in the United States. Visit www.awf.org.
ABOUT DISNEYNATURE Disneynature, the first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in more than 60 years, was launched in April 2008 to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife subjects and stories with theatrical audiences. “Earth” (opening Earth Day 2009) was the first film to premiere domestically under the new label, and garnered a record-breaking opening weekend for a nature documentary. Its “Buy a Ticket, Plant a Tree” initiative led to the planting of three million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Hitting theaters on April 22, 2010, “Oceans” was the third highest grossing feature-length nature film in history. Its “See ‘Oceans,’ Save Oceans” initiative helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected area in The Bahamas, preserving essential coral reefs. Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing 13 True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1949 and 1960, which earned eight Academy Awards®. For more information about Disneynature, check out disneynature.com like us on Facebook: facebook.com/Disneynature, and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Disneynature.
ABOUT DISNEY WORLDWIDE CONSERVATION FUND The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has advanced Disney’s legacy of conservation to inspire people and partnerships to protect the world’s wildlife. To date, the DWCF has granted more than $14 million in 110 countries. DWCF is a Disney initiative to support conservation and animal welfare and is not a US 501(c)(3) public charity. More information about DWCF’s efforts for wildlife, wild places and the people linked to their survival, is available at www.disney.com/conservation
Set on the African savanna, AFRICAN CATS revolves around the lions that make up the River Pride and a lone cheetah named Sita. The River Pride is protected by its single male named Fang, a broken tooth dangling from his mouth from an old battle, and Layla, the senior matriarch of the pride and mother to 6-month-old cub Mara. North of the river is a fearsome lion named Kali, who wants to take over the River Pride with his three sons. Meanwhile, Sita, the cheetah, struggles to raise her five cubs alone while predators stalk the plains around her.
When the aging Fang realizes he is outmatched my Kali and his sons, he gives up control of the pride and heads out on his own. After being seriously injured in a hunt, Layla realizes she must be sure of Mara’s safety and future in the pride and makes it her mission to have the other lionesses accept Mara as one of their own.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the savanna, Sita single-handedly wrangles her cubs, all the while keeping them safe from vicious hyenas, as well as Kali and his sons, who are up to no good. Sita immediately demonstrates that even some of the most dangerous predators are no match for her speed and intelligence. As Sita takes her cubs through the daily “cheetah boot camp,” they train with many of the residents of the area in light-hearted games of tag and “practice” hunting.
Beautifully shot in the Masai Mara region of Kenya, AFRICAN CATS is easily the next best thing to actually being there. Filmed over a period of a few years, directors Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey bring the incredible drama of nature right to your lap. In one impressively heart-stopping sequence, three young male lions must make the decision to either cross the swift moving, crocodile infested river or stay and face Kali and his sons who are out to kill any perceived male competition for the pride. As they bravely enter the river for the dangerous swim, the crocodiles circle, waiting for an easy meal. Once in the water there is no turning back and you don’t breathe for the next 2 minutes.
The connection to the animals is instant, their character and stories playing out as if they lived next door. Amazing detail is paid to the individual characters and their interaction with the wild, dangerous, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking world they live in (psst…stay for the entire ending credits for one of the funniest and most clever crew lists you’ve ever seen…). The spot-on narration by Samuel L. Jackson is a perfect combination of drama and understanding.
Released by Disney on Earth Day, April 22, AFRICAN CATS is a heartwarming reminder that such places do still exist on our planet and will continue through this kind of exposure and eco-education. Take the whole family for a truly enjoyable and awe-inspiring experience.
An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. The story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres worldwide beginning on Earth Day 2011. For more information about the movie and the “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” initiative, check out Disney.com/AfricanCats.
ABOUT DISNEYNATURE
Disneynature, the first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in more than 60 years, was launched in April 2008 to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife subjects and stories with theatrical audiences. “Earth” (opening Earth Day 2009) was the first film to premiere domestically under the new label, and garnered a record-breaking opening weekend for a nature documentary. Its “Buy a Ticket, Plant a Tree” initiative led to the planting of 2.7 million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Hitting theaters on April 22, 2010, “Oceans” was the third highest grossing feature-length nature film in history. Its “See ‘Oceans,’ Save Oceans” initiative helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected area in The Bahamas, preserving essential coral reefs. Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing 13 True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1949 and 1960, which earned eight Academy Awards®.
For more information about Disneynature, check out disneynature.com like us on Facebook: facebook.com/Disneynature, and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Disneynature. For more information about the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, please visit Disney.com/conservation.
The film, which will be released in theaters worldwide, opens in North America on April 22, 2011. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are already available in the United States by calling 1-888-DISNEY6
Earlier this week, I had a few minutes to speak with co-director Keith Scholey about the experience of filming the extraordinary story of AFRICAN CATS out in the African savanna. “First of all we had a great team working with us and out in the Masai Mara, there are many great camps and resources that were most helpful. Everyone worked really incredibly together and that made it a little easier to be out there for the couple of years it took to film this story.”
I asked Scholey about some of the challenges they faced in trying to stay with the animals, or “characters” in the narrative:
“With such a huge time commitment with these animals, the biggest fear is that after all that filming, they just disappear and you lose track of them. Over the few years that we were out there filming, we had great field teams and we were able to stay with the animals day after day. For example, with Sita (the cheetah) we developed a routine of going out at first light to the place we last saw her and got to know her habits and routines. Same with the lions, although they move around more at night. There are times when you don’t see them for a day or two – it takes an incredible amount of patience.”
Directors (L-R) Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey
With so many animals in such a large landscape, I wondered how they were able to tell the animals they were filming apart from all the rest:
“After a being out there as long as we were, we got to know our subjects pretty well and it became easier to tell them apart. Many of them have certain places they go and certain habits that made it easier to know who they were.”
I then wanted to touch on the aspect of wildlife filming that I think a lot of people wonder about – not interfering with nature. I’ve always wondered how hard it would be to watch a defenseless cub or a weak calf carried off by predators.
Said Scholey, “First off, there are very strict rules within the national park system in Africa. You are not allowed to interfere in any way with the animals. It’s against the law. But then there is the question of do you have the right to interfere? And the answer is no. You have no right to interfere because you have to consider the consequences. Interfering even once causes a chain reaction and you end up having to go further and further to manage the situation and where does it stop? A perfect example is the thousands of wildebeests that cross the Mara River each year during the migration. Hundreds are lost to the crocodiles in the river. People have often asked “why don’t they just build a bridge?” Suddenly you are directly affecting the survival of the crocodiles and the other predators of the river and the delicate balance of the whole eco-system.”
When speaking about the awesome experience seeing this film on the big screen, Scholey couldn’t have agreed more. “I’m so glad you said that! It is quite different than seeing it on a small screen or DVD. You feel it so much more seeing it on the big screen. You almost feel what its like to actually be there.”
Synopsis:
An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, AFRICAN CATS captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mothers strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (Earth). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, African Cats leaps into theatres TOMORROW on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.
There was a special NY screening of AFRICAN CATS on Saturday, April 16th, at the Crosby Street Hotel!
Filmmakers Keith Scholey & Alastair Fothergill hosted the following special guests and their families: Keri Russell, Brooke Shields, Sophia Coppola & NBC’s Natalie Morales.
News Anchor Natalie Morales with Jewelry Designer Alex Woo and Model Veronic Varelova.
Actress Keri Russell joined directors Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey.
Actress Brooke Shields joined directors Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey.
Alan Bergman(President, The Walt Disney Studios) and News Anchor Natalie Morales.
Natalie Morales with son at After Party, Saturday, April 16, in New York City.
An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. The story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres worldwide beginning on Earth Day 2011. For more information about the movie and the “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” initiative, check out Disney.com/AfricanCats.
ABOUT DISNEYNATURE
Disneynature, the first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in more than 60 years, was launched in April 2008 to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife subjects and stories with theatrical audiences. “Earth” (opening Earth Day 2009) was the first film to premiere domestically under the new label, and garnered a record-breaking opening weekend for a nature documentary. Its “Buy a Ticket, Plant a Tree” initiative led to the planting of 2.7 million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Hitting theaters on April 22, 2010, “Oceans” was the third highest grossing feature-length nature film in history. Its “See ‘Oceans,’ Save Oceans” initiative helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected area in The Bahamas, preserving essential coral reefs. Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing 13 True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1949 and 1960, which earned eight Academy Awards®.
For more information about Disneynature, check out disneynature.com like us on Facebook: facebook.com/Disneynature, and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Disneynature. For more information about the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, please visit Disney.com/conservation.
The film, which will be released in theaters worldwide, opens in North America on April 22, 2011. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are already available in the United States by calling 1-888-DISNEY6
“AFRICAN CATS” POSTS STRONG ADVANCE SALES IN SUPPORT OF AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION INITIATIVE
With more than $1.7 Million in Advance Sales, Disneynature Already Set to Save More Than 9,500 Acres… and Still Counting
“African Cats” Motion Picture Opens on Earth Day, April 22, 2011
BURBANK, Calif. (April 11, 2011) – “African Cats” is still more than two weeks from opening on Earth Day, but moviegoers have already bought $1.7 million in tickets to see the movie during its opening week (April 22-28) and save the African savanna in the process. Thanks to the “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” initiative, Disneynature’s pledge to make a contribution in honor of everyone who sees the film opening week already translates to more than 9,500 acres of land within Kenya’s Amboseli Wildlife Corridor—and that number continues to rise.
“We are very impressed with the passion people are showing for ‘African Cats’—advance ticket sales for this film have surpassed both ‘Earth’ and ‘Oceans’ at this stage of the game, which shows how excited moviegoers are for both the movie and the ‘Save the Savanna’ initiative,” said Alan Bergman, president, The Walt Disney Studios. “The Amboseli Corridor is an essential passage utilized by so many animals in the African savanna. The advance ticket sales so far will allow Disneynature with African Wildlife Foundation’s assistance to conserve more than 9,500 acres of this passage—which equates to 19 Disney’s Animal Kingdoms, or nearly two-thirds the size of Manhattan—and we still have two weeks till opening day.”
“The ‘See “African Cats,” Save the Savanna’ program transforms the movie going experience into tangible on-the-ground conservation action. The commitment of Disneynature combined with the passion of moviegoers will raise critical funds to conserve the land that the magnificent species featured in ‘African Cats’ call home,” said Dr. Patrick Bergin, CEO, African Wildlife Foundation. “Through this amazing collaboration, we celebrate our 50th Anniversary together with Disneynature and all the people who are helping establish the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor.”
“See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” continues Disneynature’s conservation efforts, which began with its first release, “Earth” (2009), for which three million trees were planted in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. The program in support of “Oceans” (2010) helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected areas in The Bahamas, which contain miles of vital coral reef.
“SEE ‘AFRICAN CATS,’ SAVE THE SAVANNA” During the film’s opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week’s ticket sales will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to ensure the future of lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the vibrant African savanna. The AWF will be working to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by a variety of wildlife.
The film, which will be released in theaters worldwide, opens in North America on April 22, 2011. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are already available in the United States by calling 1-888-DISNEY6. Tickets are also available online at www.disney.com/africancats.
There are also a number of innovative online efforts underway that allow moviegoers to pledge their commitment to the film and in doing so, support the cause.
ABOUT THE MOVIE An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, “African Cats” captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres on Earth Day, April 22, 2011. For more information about the movie and the “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” initiative, check out Disney.com/AfricanCats.
ABOUT AWF Founded in 1961, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is a conservation organization focused solely on the African continent. AWF’s programs and conservation strategies are based on sound science and designed to protect both the wild lands and wildlife of Africa and ensure a more sustainable future for Africa’s people. Since its inception AWF has protected endangered species and land, promoted partnerships with the private sector for conservation tourism to benefit local African communities as a means to improve livelihoods, and trained hundreds of African nationals in conservation—all to ensure the survival of Africa’s unparalleled wildlife heritage. AWF is a non-profit organization currently operating in 14 countries across the continent. AWF is a registered 501(c)(3) in the United States. Visit www.awf.org.
ABOUT DISNEYNATURE Disneynature, the first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in more than 60 years, was launched in April 2008 to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife subjects and stories with theatrical audiences. “Earth” (opening Earth Day 2009) was the first film to premiere domestically under the new label, and garnered a record-breaking opening weekend for a nature documentary. Its “Buy a Ticket, Plant a Tree” initiative led to the planting of three million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Hitting theaters on April 22, 2010, “Oceans” was the third highest grossing feature-length nature film in history. Its “See ‘Oceans,’ Save Oceans” initiative helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected area in The Bahamas, preserving essential coral reefs. Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing 13 True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1949 and 1960, which earned eight Academy Awards®.
ABOUT DISNEY WORLDWIDE CONSERVATION FUND The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has advanced Disney’s legacy of conservation to inspire people and partnerships to protect the world’s wildlife. To date, the DWCF has granted more than $14 million in 110 countries. DWCF is a Disney initiative to support conservation and animal welfare and is not a US 501(c)(3) public charity. More information about DWCF’s efforts for wildlife, wild places and the people linked to their survival, is available at www.disney.com/conservation.
Hey animal lovers. Have we got something fancy AND feline for you, our loyal readers. Walt Disney Studios has sent us 5 hardcover books of African Cats: The Story Behind the Film as a special giveaway ($35 retail value).
JUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:
What’s your favorite Disney film about animals?
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. *PRIZE WILL NOT BE SHIPPED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.
2. FILL OUT YOUR REAL NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW.
WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PRIZE WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED
As the April 22 opening of the awe-inspiring African Cats approaches, Disneynature is tapping into the true power of social media by building awareness of its See African Cats, Save the Savanna program. During the films opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that weeks ticket sales will be donated to AWF through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the African savanna. Fans can pledge to see African Cats opening week by logging onto http://eventful.com/africancats. Participants can watch how honoring that pledge can effectively save the savanna.
Synopsis:
An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, AFRICAN CATS captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mothers strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (Earth). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, African Cats leaps into theatres on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.
SEE “AFRICAN CATS,” SAVE THE SAVANNA
MISSION GOES VIRAL
Disneynature’s Collaboration with the African Wildlife Foundation to Help
Save the Savanna during “African Cats’” Opening Week Heats Up Online!
BURBANK, Calif. (April 4, 2011) – Disneynature’s plans to work with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) to “Save the Savanna” have gone viral.
As the April 22 opening of the awe-inspiring “African Cats” approaches, Disneynature is tapping into the true power of social media by building awareness of its “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” program. During the film’s opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week’s ticket sales will be donated to AWF through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the African savanna.
A host of compelling and unique social initiatives allows participants to make a difference, giving them the power to pledge their intent to see the film, support the cause and spread the word to others.
By becoming a fan of Disneynature on Facebook, participants have the ability to interact with “African Cats” content daily. Furthermore, liking, commenting on and sharing the content with friends spreads the viral reach of the film’s message and philanthropic mission exponentially.
Fans pledge to see “African Cats” opening week by logging onto http://eventful.com/africancats. Participants can watch how honoring that pledge can effectively save the savanna. A real-time counter will show how many people have participated, and there will also be a graphical map representing the number of acres across the savanna that are being conserved based upon the number of pledges received. Upon arriving at the theater, fans can check in via their mobile device to win special prizes.
Join the “African Cats” grassroots community and donate to the African Wildlife Foundation on Causes: http://www.causes.com/africancats
Fans can join the “African Cats” grassroots community on Causes by signing the pledge to help Africa’s lions and other imperiled wildlife survive and thrive for generations to come. Additionally, users are given the opportunity to enhance Disneynature’s commitment by donating directly to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) via the platform.
Disney Tickets Together, Facebook’s first social ticketing application, allows fans to engage with the film by inviting friends to see “African Cats” and purchase tickets for local theaters without ever leaving Facebook. For all “African Cats” events created in Tickets Together, Disney will increase the donation to the Save the Savanna fund for every “Yes” RSVP that the events receive. The application launches during the week of April 18.
“African Cats,” which will be released in theaters worldwide, opens in North America on April 22, 2011. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are available in the United States by calling 1-888-DISNEY6.
ABOUT THE MOVIE An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, “African Cats” captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.For more information about the movie and the “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” initiative, check out Disney.com/AfricanCats.
ABOUT “SEE ‘AFRICAN CATS,’ SAVE THE SAVANNA During the film’s opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week’s ticket sales will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to ensure the future of lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the vibrant African savanna. The AWF will be working to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu National Parks that is frequently used by a variety of wildlife.
“See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” continues Disneynature’s conservation efforts, which began with its first release, “Earth” (2009), for which three million trees were planted in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. “Oceans” (2010) audiences helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected areas in The Bahamas, which contain miles of vital coral reef.
ABOUT EVENTFUL, INC. Eventful is the leading digital media company connecting consumers with live entertainment, movies, and local events. More than 20 million people use Eventful to find out what’s happening and decide what to do. Eventful works with leading brands and entertainment properties to reach consumers and drive commerce through a unique and targeted blend of digital, social media, and direct marketing. Visit Eventful at http://eventful.com.
ABOUT CAUSES Causes is the world’s largest platform for activism and philanthropy, empowering individuals to create grassroots communities called “causes” that take action on behalf of a specific issue or nonprofit organization. Since launching in 2007, Causes has brought together: 140 million users, over $30 million raised for over 25,000 nonprofits, and over 500,000 user-created causes.
ABOUT DISNEY’S TICKETS TOGETHER Developed in 2010 for Disney Pixar’s “Toy Story 3,” Disney Tickets Together is the first social ticketing application that allows Disney Facebook fans to view movie times at their local cinemas, create viewing events, invite their friends and buy tickets. Tickets Together is an innovative and interactive destination that bridges the social experience of going to the movies with the capabilities of social networking.
ABOUT AWF Founded in 1961, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is a leading conservation organization focused solely on the African continent. AWF’s programs and conservation strategies are based on sound science and designed to protect both the wild lands and wildlife of Africa and ensure a more sustainable future for Africa’s people. Since its inception AWF has protected endangered species and land, promoted public and private sector partnerships, created unique conservation tourism enterprises that benefit local African communities as a means to improve livelihoods, and trained hundreds of African nationals in conservation—all to ensure the survival of Africa’s unparalleled wildlife heritage. AWF is a non-profit organization currently operating in 14 countries across the continent. AWF is a registered 501(c)(3) in the United States. Visit www.awf.org.
ABOUT DISNEYNATURE Disneynature, the first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in more than 60 years, was launched in April 2008 to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife subjects and stories with theatrical audiences. “Earth” (opening Earth Day 2009) was the first film to premiere domestically under the new label, and garnered a record-breaking opening weekend for a nature documentary. Its “Buy a Ticket, Plant a Tree” initiative led to the planting of 2.7 million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Hitting theaters on April 22, 2010, “Oceans” was the third highest grossing feature-length nature film in history. Its “See ‘Oceans,’ Save Oceans” initiative helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected area in The Bahamas, preserving essential coral reefs. Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing 13 True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1949 and 1960, which earned eight Academy Awards®. For more information about Disneynature, check out disneynature.com like us on Facebook: facebook.com/Disneynature, and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Disneynature. For more information about the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, please visit Disney.com/conservation.
AFRICAN CATS comes to theaters in one month – Earth Day, April 22nd! For every ticket to African Cats purchased during opening week, Disneynature will make a donation to the African Wildlife Foundation in your honor to help Save the Savanna! Click HERE for details.
Make the pledge and help spread the word!
For more information about Disneynature, check out disneynature.com, like them on Facebook: facebook.com/Disneynature, and follow them on Twitter: twitter.com/Disneynature. For more information about the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, please visit Disney.com/conservation.
The film, which will be released in theaters worldwide, opens in North America on April 22, 2011.
In the meantime, we’d like you to meet the families of lions and cheetahs from the movie, and to learn more about their lives in the wildest place on earth, the African Savanna.
Meet Mara, a brave lion cub living in one of the wildest places on earth!
Mara’s mother, Layla, is one of the most skilled lioness hunters of the River Pride.
Introducing Fang, the River Pride’s protector.
The river is an important source of food for the River Pride, but also carries the threat of crocodiles–one of the few animals that isn’t easily threatened by the lion.
Kali and his sons live south of the River Pride in the Southern Kingdom, waiting for the river waters to recede to make their move into Fang’s territory.
African Cats: Field Guide 1
ABOUT THE MOVIE
An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. The story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres worldwide beginning on Earth Day 2011. For more information about the movie and the “See African Cats, – Save the Savanna” initiative, check out Disney.com/AfricanCats.
ABOUT DISNEYNATURE
Disneynature, the first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in more than 60 years, was launched in April 2008 to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife subjects and stories with theatrical audiences. “Earth” (opening Earth Day 2009) was the first film to premiere domestically under the new label, and garnered a record-breaking opening weekend for a nature documentary. Its “Buy a Ticket, Plant a Tree” initiative led to the planting of 2.7 million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Hitting theaters on April 22, 2010, “Oceans” was the third highest grossing feature-length nature film in history. Its “See Oceans – Save Oceans” initiative helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected area in The Bahamas, preserving essential coral reefs. Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing 13 True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1949 and 1960, which earned eight Academy Awards®.
