WASHINGTON (Feb. 2, 2011)—National Geographic Entertainment announces production of “Hidden Worlds,” a new 3-D, giant-screen film from its Cinema Ventures group. The announcement follows the signing of a co-financing agreement with China’s Tiger8 Media Ltd. at Sundance Film Festival. Produced by National Geographic with additional funding support from Lockheed Martin Corporation and the National Science Foundation, the movie will be directed by Louie Schwartzberg, one of cinema’s foremost visual special-effects artists.
Exposing things in our world that cannot be seen by the naked eye because they are too fast, too slow or too small, “Hidden Worlds” will break the barriers of time and scale to make the invisible universe visible, completely reshaping how we perceive our world. Using new technologies, researchers and scientists are able to broaden our existing knowledge and test the limits of human perception, while fulfilling the desire to explore.
“Nanotechnology brought to life in 3-D brings the minuscule to a completely new scale,” said David Beal, president, National Geographic Entertainment. “We are delighted to be working with China’s Tiger8 Media as a co-financing, presenting and production partner, with Lockheed Martin to develop and create educational and outreach programs that will support and extend the reach of the film, and with the National Science Foundation, whose continued support of our film programs is an important part of our mission to inspire people to care about the planet.”
“To explore the invisible universe pushes the boundaries of what we know,” said Lisa Truitt, president, National Geographic Cinema Ventures. “We are bringing the smallest elements of the world and blowing them up for the largest movie screens, using the art of storytelling together with new 3-D and visualization technology that will truly change the way we see our world.”
National Geographic Cinema Ventures will distribute “Hidden Worlds” to the global network of giant-screen and digital 3-D cinemas, with Tiger8 Media handling all Asian territories.
“We are thrilled to be working with National Geographic on this film, and to bring this cutting-edge 3-D adventure to the largest screens across China. We anticipate it to be the first of a slate of such earth science theatrical films Tiger8 will do with National Geographic and executive producers Stanley Buchthal and Jake Eberts,” said T8 managing partners Justin Ackerman and Markus Barmettler.
About National Geographic Entertainment
National Geographic Entertainment is part of National Geographic Global Media and combines into a single operating group National Geographic Films, National Geographic Cinema Ventures, Kids Entertainment and Music & Radio. National Geographic Global Media brings together all of National Geographic’s editorial platforms to streamline collaboration and support the Society’s mission. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its magazines, books, digital media, television, radio, music, film and live events. It funds more than 250 research scientific research, exploration and conservation projects each year and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.
Daniel Battsek is president of National Geographic Films, Lisa Truitt is president of National Geographic Cinema Ventures and Mark Katz is president of National Geographic Cinema Ventures Distribution.
About Tiger8 Media
Tiger8 is a China-based PE investment fund group specialized in film investment opportunities in China. T8 is actively expanding its film investment infrastructure in China, having recently established a first 12-15 film/5-year fund with Wuxi-based Jinyuan Industry and Development Co. Ltd. The city of Wuxi is developing state of the art motion picture studio facilities. T8’s deal with National Geographic marks its first move into the international marketplace.
About Lockheed Martin Corporation
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 133,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2009 sales from continuing operations were $44 billion.
About National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year 2010, its budget was about $6.9 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
