National Geographic Cinema Ventures (NGCV) has announced its release plan for five original films to be distributed to 
either large-format or digital 3D cinemas in museums worldwide commencing this spring. The roster covers a wide range of compelling subjects from deep ocean exploration and nanotechnology to pandas, world culture, archeology and extreme weather in outer space.
The films will launch individually throughout the next 18 to 24 months, adding to what is already one of the industry’s largest and most successful film libraries. This announcement comes during NGCV’s inaugural Museum Theater Leadership Symposium, being held at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., Feb. 11-12.
“We are extremely proud of this slate of films, ” said Lisa Truitt (below right), president of NGCV. “Our goal has always been to release three to four films a year, so this plan represents the realization of that goal, with films that the public will find unique, exciting and engaging — qualities for which National Geographic is known the world over.”
One of the highlights of the 2013-2014 schedule is the release of the highly anticipated “DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D, ” which recounts Academy Award-winning filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence James Cameron‘s record-breaking solo dive to the Earth’s deepest point in March 2012. During the dive, he conducted the first manned scientific exploration of the “Challenger Deep, ” located in the Mariana Trench. The daring expedition — likened to putting a man on the moon — and resulting scientific discoveries will enthrall audiences of all ages. The 40-minute, museum large-format 3D version of “DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D” will release in early 2014.
Another anticipated title is “MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD, ” releasing Nov. 1, 2013. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, the film will make the invisible visible, allowing audiences to see things that escape the naked eye every minute of every day. From high-speed and time-lapse photography to images seen at the nanoscale, audiences will be mesmerized by what exists right in front of them that, until now, was beyond their vision.
The release plan will kick off in March with “WILDEST WEATHER IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM, ” an exciting and wild ride into space to explore the extreme weather conditions there. “JERUSALEM 3D, ” a unique historical and spectacular look at this amazing city, will launch in the fall of 2013, and “PANDAS 3D: MILLION DOLLAR BABIES, ” the moving and amazing story of the race against time to save the giant panda in the wild, will release in 2014.
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Release Details:
Wildest Weather in the Solar System
Available: March 8, 2013
Running Time: 23 minutes
Produced by National Geographic Entertainment and Days End Productions
Visual Effects by Antoine Durr
“Wildest Weather in the Solar System” utilizes breathtaking imagery that allows audiences to experience weather extremes from a unique vantage point: space. The film transports viewers on a 23-minute flight through the thick atmosphere of Venus, magnetic storms on the sun, liquid methane showers on Titan and “anticyclones” whirling at hundreds of miles per hour on Jupiter. “Wildest Weather” will be available in 2D and 3D digital and full-dome formats.
Jerusalem 3D
Release Date: Sept. 20, 2013
Running Time: 42 minutes
From Arcane Pictures/Cosmic Pictures
Directed by Daniel Ferguson
Produced by Taran Davies and George Duffield
“Jerusalem 3D” takes audiences on an eye-opening tour of one of the world’s oldest and most enigmatic cities. The film follows archaeologists as they explore some of the most extraordinary historical sites in the region in order to better understand this city’s complex history and lasting intrigue. “Jerusalem” will be available in in 3D and 2D, 15/70 and digital formats.
Mysteries of the Unseen World 3D
Release Date: Nov. 1, 2013
Running Time: 40 minutes
Produced by National Geographic and Days End Pictures
Directed by Louis Schwartzberg
“Mysteries of the Unseen World” will allow viewers to see things not visible to the naked eye, thanks to the film’s innovative use of high-speed and time-lapse photography, electron microscopy and nanotechnology. The audience will be taken into the microscopic world once reserved only for scientists to see a whole new universe of things, events and creatures. Visually stunning and rooted in cutting-edge research, “Mysteries of the Unseen World” will be available in 3D and 2D, 15/70 and digital formats.
DEEPSEA CHALLENGE 3D
Release Date: April 4, 2014
Running Time: 40 minutes
From Lightstorm Entertainment
“DEEPSEA CHALLENGE” follows the dramatic story of Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron’s personal odyssey as he undertakes an expedition of historic proportions, fraught with extreme personal danger, to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. The 40-minute film will also highlight the scientific findings that resulted from the dive’s discoveries. It will be available in 3D and 2D, 15/70 and digital formats.
Pandas 3D: Million Dollar Babies
Release Date: June 27, 2014
Running Time: 40 minutes
Produced by Oxford Scientific Films
Distributed by National Geographic Entertainment
Oxford Scientific Films was granted permission to film the first-ever release of pandas bred at China’s giant panda breeding center and to follow a group of wild pandas in their mountain habitat. Charismatic, captivating and severely endangered, the giant panda has been the worldwide symbol of nature conservation for 50 years. The 40-minute film invites audiences to witness the births, nursery care and teaching of panda cubs, part of an extraordinary effort to save the panda in the wild. “Pandas” will be available in 2D and 3D digital formats.
About National Geographic Cinema Ventures
National Geographic Cinema Ventures is responsible for production and distribution of giant-screen, 3D and specialty films. Over the last decade, NGCV has produced or released a number of successful films, including Oscar-nominated documentaries “Restrepo” and “The Story of the Weeping Camel”; giant-screen award-winning films “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure, ” “U2 3D, ” “Mysteries of Egypt” and “Forces of Nature”; and feature-length films “The Last Lions” and “Life in a Day.”
Lisa Truitt is president of NGCV; and Mark Katz is president of NGCV distribution.
For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/movies.
