The highly anticipated documentary Ocean with David Attenborough is set for a global cinema release on May 8, coinciding with the renowned broadcaster’s 99th birthday. The Australian premiere will take place on May 7 at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne, hosted by Minderoo Pictures and distributor Piece of Magic Entertainment. The event will feature a blue carpet ceremony followed by a Q&A session with notable contributors.
Among those attending the Q&A is Australian underwater cinematographer Tom Park, who played a key role in filming the Great Barrier Reef for the documentary. Park, 30, is renowned for his work capturing marine life, and his contributions are particularly significant given his unique position during the 2024 Mass Global Bleaching event. Park was documenting the Reef during this pivotal moment, tracking its initial response and later its recovery over the following 14 months.
The Q&A sessions, which follow the premiere, will also include Valerie Taylor AM, a longtime conservationist, photographer, and filmmaker. Park will continue his participation in subsequent screenings at Luna Leederville in Perth on May 8, Cinema Nova in Melbourne on May 9, and the Randwick Ritz in Sydney on May 12.
In Ocean with David Attenborough, the iconic filmmaker delivers a powerful message of hope, taking viewers on an awe-inspiring journey through the vital oceans that sustain life on Earth. The documentary highlights the importance of ocean health in stabilizing the planet’s climate, featuring spectacular sequences of coral reefs, kelp forests, and open waters. Attenborough also addresses the environmental challenges threatening marine ecosystems, including destructive fishing practices and coral reef bleaching.
However, the film’s core message is one of optimism, emphasizing that the ocean can recover to a state of beauty and abundance previously unimaginable. Drawing on success stories from around the world, Attenborough advocates for marine protection as a critical step towards ocean restoration and global climate stabilization.
Timed to precede World Ocean Day and the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2025, Ocean with David Attenborough stresses the urgency of ocean recovery, which is vital for ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for all. The film serves as a call to action for world leaders to prioritize marine conservation and support the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
Ocean with David Attenborough is co-produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios, in association with All3Media International, National Geographic, and Minderoo Pictures. The film is directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey, and Colin Butfield, and will be available globally on National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu later this year.
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