"This spectacular, family-friendly film in larger-than-life IMAX format goes well beyond documenting the behaviour of these charming black and white bears," said Maurice Bitran, Ph.D., CEO and Chief Science Officer, Ontario Science Centre. "It tells the story of a team of dedicated scientists engaged in international collaboration to protect the giant panda from extinction. The film highlights that scientific research and global cooperation are key to a better future for not only pandas but all of humankind."
At Chengdu Panda Base in China, scientists are taking the captive breeding program to the next level and preparing captive-born cubs for the wild. This film follows one such researcher, whose passion leads her to initiate a new technique inspired by a black bear rehabilitator in rural New Hampshire. What starts as a cross-cultural collaboration leads an American conservation biologist and a young assistant researcher from Inner Mongolia to embark on an unprecedented expedition to introduce a very curious, captive-born female panda cub into the wild.
"The scientists at Chengdu Panda Base have dedicated their lives to creating a more secure future for the wild giant panda," said Drew Fellman, Pandas co-director, writer and producer. "We were honored to be there at the cusp of an exciting new program, and to witness an adorable captive-born panda cub named Qian Qian prepare for a new life in the wild. We wanted to share her adventure with the world so everyone can experience her journey, too."
Fellman and David Douglas, the filmmakers behind Born to be Wild and Island of Lemurs: Madagascar, directed the film, which Fellman wrote and produced, with Douglas as director of photography. Donald Kushner and Steve Ransohoff also produced the film, with Li Xiao Dong, David Haring and Elie Samaha executive producing, and Neal Allen serving as line producer. Born to be Wild and Island of Lemurs: Madagascar editor Beth Spiegel and composer Mark Mothersbaugh collaborated with Douglas and Fellman once again, with sound design by Gus Koven.
IMAX Entertainment presents, in association with IMAX Documentary Films Capital, Jin Yi Culture Investment (HK) and Panda Productions, Pandas. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX, Pandas shows exclusively in Toronto on the giant dome screen at the Ontario Science Centre's Shoppers Drug Mart® OMNIMAX® Theatre, starting April 28, 2018.
Pandas is rated G and has a run time of 40 minutes. Tickets are $9. To watch the trailer and to purchase tickets, please visit OntarioScienceCentre.ca. For downloadable photos and general press information, please visit the Ontario Science Centre's online Media Room.
Guided by a mission to inspire passion for the human adventure of discovery, the Ontario Science Centre strives to be a global leader in lifelong learning; a vital link in Ontario's education and innovation ecosystems; and a convener of public dialogue about technology, science and society. The Centre has welcomed more than 52 million visitors since opening as a Centennial project in 1969, pioneering an interactive approach now adopted by science centres around the world. An agency of the Government of Ontario, the Centre relies on funding from the province, as well as donations from generous individuals, corporations and foundations who share the Centre's vision to contribute to a more curious, creative and resilient world. Learn more at OntarioScienceCentre.ca.
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SOURCE Ontario Science Centre
Media contacts: Anna Relyea, Director, Strategic Communications, 416-696-3273 | c: 416-668-1967, [email protected]; Jefferson Darrell, Media Relations Officer, 416-696-3154, [email protected]; Andrea Mus, Media Relations Officer, 416-696-3191 | c: 416-895-5482, [email protected]
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