National Geographic Cinema Ventures to Bring ‘Giant Pandas 3D’ to Large-Format and Digital Theaters in Museums Worldwide on Valentine’s Day 2014

WASHINGTON — “Giant Pandas 3D,” a groundbreaking natural-history film capturing for the first time in 3D highly endangered giant pandas living in Wolong National Nature Reserve in the People’s Republic of China, will be released to the worldwide network of 2D and 3D large-format and digital cinemas in museums, zoos and aquariums on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2014.

An Oxford Scientific Films Production for Sky3D and National Geographic Cinema Ventures (NGCV), in association with the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association, Wolong Panda Conservation Centre, CCTV9 and Nat Geo WILD, the film will be distributed internationally by NGCV.

The filmmakers of “Giant Pandas 3D” were given unrivalled access to the Wolong National Nature Reserve with the support of the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association and the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda.

Directed by Nicolas Brown and produced by Caroline Hawkins, “Giant Pandas 3D” follows the pandas at a significant milestone in their history. After decades of captive breeding, the reserve has hit its target number of 300 giant pandas and now must tackle the challenge of reintroducing breeding populations of the species to the wild. Oxford Scientific Films was granted permission to film the rare release of a panda bred in captivity and to follow a group of wild pandas in their mountain habitat.

Lisa Truitt, president of NGCV, said, “‘Giant Pandas’ will show audiences the strides that have been made toward saving the panda in the wild, but much work has yet to be done. This is an important story, and we are proud to be bringing it to the giant screen. Filled with heartbreak, hope and lots of humor, ‘Giant Pandas’ will make the world fall in love anew with the iconic, beloved, charismatic panda.”

The 40-minute film invites audiences to witness the birth, nursery care and teaching of panda cubs — all part of an extraordinary effort to save the panda in the wild.

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; Mark Katz is president of NGCV distribution. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/movies.