Opel Announces Project Earth at Cinema for Peace Gala 2011

* Presenting sponsor: Opel supports benefit gala
* Award ceremony: Alain Visser presents Green Film Award
* Project Earth: Supporting those showing outstanding dedication to our planet

Rüsselsheim. This evening the renowned Cinema for Peace Gala is taking place for the tenth time. This event highlights and supports cinematic works that deal with global humanitarian and environmental issues. Opel is presenting sponsor for the first time.

The company will announce “Project Earth” at the gala, an initiative that aims to contribute to the conservation and promotion of all life on earth. In particular Project Earth will support student scientists who have demonstrated exceptional concern for animals, human beings and the environment.

“I am very excited about Project Earth and the potential it has to make a positive impact,” says Alain Visser, Vice President Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Adam Opel AG. “The Cinema for Peace Foundation has the potential to reach millions of people over the medium of film, and can use this to spotlight important topics.”

At the gala, an international jury including actress Nastassja Kinski and social and human rights advocate Bianca Jagger will honor films and filmmakers in various categories. This year’s winners include two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn, who will be awarded the Cinema for Peace Honorary Award for his humanitarian efforts in Haiti following the earthquake there in early 2010. On behalf of Opel, Alain Visser will present the International Green Film Award for outstanding achievements in and dedication to raising awareness for green issues. The nominees for this award include the film “A Message from Pandora” by James Cameron, “Gasland” by Josh Fox and “Jane’s Journey” by Lorenz Knauer.

Opel will provide the VIP shuttle service for Cinema for Peace with the Opel Ampera electric vehicle and 20 Insignia ecoFLEX models. The gala is being held in the historic Konzerthaus in Berlin.

Raising awareness of conservation in the arctic, the Pacific, Brazil and Tanzania

Project Earth continues Opel’s long-standing tradition of initiatives aimed at raising environmental awareness. Under the patronage of NASA scientist Dr. Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin – astronaut on the legendary Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing in history, and one of only 12 people who have set foot on the moon – Project Earth will take selected student scientists to four fragile but beautiful regions of the world: the arctic, the Pacific Ocean on the gulf of California, the Brazilian rainforest and the Serengeti in Tanzania. The students will visit local organizations working to protect endangered habitats, and assist the scientists in their activities.

“Opel is committed to further improving the environmental compatibility of its automobiles and operations,” says Alain Visser. “While our ecoFLEX and alternative-fuel models demonstrate how we are continuously reducing the effect of the internal combustion engine on the environment, our vision is zero-emission mobility with the hydrogen fuel cell. Electric vehicles will be the next step on our journey, and later this year Opel will launch the Ampera, the first electric car in Europe suitable for everyday use.”