San Diego—MacGillivray Freeman Film's National Parks Adventure takes audiences on the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation's awe-inspiring great outdoors and untamed wilderness when it arrives in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on Friday, March 18, 2016.

In National Parks Adventure, moviegoers will soar over red rock canyons, hurtle down steep mountain peaks and explore other-worldly realms found within America's most legendary outdoor places. The film provides both an action-packed celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the National Park Service and a soulful reflection on what wilderness means to us all.

"National Parks Adventure captures the stunning beauty of our wild places and reminds us these landscapes are an essential part of the human spirit," states narrator and Academy Award® winner Robert Redford.  

Filmed in more than 30 national parks across the country, this immersive film follows world-class mountaineer Conrad Anker, adventure photographer Max Lowe and artist Rachel Pohl as they hike, climb and explore their way across America's spectacularly wild and beautiful places, including Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Yosemite and Arches. Their journey reveals a tapestry of natural wonders that will inspire the adventurer in all of us.

Captured with IMAX cameras and shown in full glory in giant screen theaters, National Parks Adventure celebrates the majesty of our national parks while highlighting the importance of protecting them.

"There are 408 national parks in our country that many families have not been able to explore," says two-time Academy Award®-nominated director Greg MacGillivray. "Our hope is that National Parks Adventure will encourage our audiences to discover the beauty and sanctuary of these American treasures, which belong to every one of us."

Residents and visitors to San Diego don't need to go far to experience a National Park. Cabrillo National Monument, a site recognized for its historic importance and natural beauty, is part of the National Park Service and only ten minutes from downtown. Other National Parks in Southern California include Joshua Tree National Park and Channel Islands National Park.

"A primary theme of National Parks Adventure is conservation and appreciation of our natural landscapes," said Steve Snyder, CEO of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. "Many of the people who live in San Diego and visit the city are drawn here by the natural beauty of the landscape and the outdoor opportunities in and around the city. We can hike at Torrey Pines State Park or Laguna Mountain; swim, scuba dive or snorkel in La Jolla Cove; rock climb in Mission Trails Regional Park; and indulge in outdoor activities in many other beautiful places in the San Diego region. We hope that our visitors will all leave the film with a renewed appreciation of the wonders of nature and the importance of preserving it."

National Parks Adventure follows in the tradition of MacGillivray Freeman's award-winning giant screen films—including Everest, Dolphins, The Living Sea and To The Arctic—that are set in some of the most extraordinary places on the planet. 

Working in collaboration with Brand USA—the destination-marketing organization for the United States—allows for National Parks Adventure to become the centerpiece of their global marketing initiative for their 2015-2016 "Great Outdoors" campaign.

The film is family friendly and has a run time of 43 minutes. The film runs multiple times daily in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater starting March 18.

National Parks Adventure is a MacGillivray Freeman film produced in association with Brand USA and presented globally by Expedia, Inc. and Subaru of America, Inc. with major support from the Giant Dome Theater Consortium. 

For more information, including show times, please visit: http://www.rhfleet.org/shows/national-parks-adventure

# # #

Additional Links:

For more information on National Parks Adventure, including links to the trailer and behind-the-scenes videos, visit www.NationalParksAdventure.com

For a current film schedule, please visit: http://www.rhfleet.org/shows/national-parks-adventure

The film trailer is available to view on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0iqF2Tk_1WA

Press photos: http://www.rhfleet.org/press-room/images#20455

Mini clips from the film are available here:

http://macgillivrayfreemanfilms.com/site/media/national_parks/np_clips.html

Full editorial press kit available on request.

# # #

To schedule a special screening of National Parks Adventure or interview with the filmmaker or one of the personalities related to the film, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org.

# # #

FOR MEDIA ONLY:

You're invited to the Premiere!

Members of the media are invited to join us for our premiere party for National Parks Adventure on Tuesday, March 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We will have a reception from 6:30 to 7 p.m., with the premiere screening of the film beginning at 7 p.m. and a dessert reception immediately after the film at 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served during both receptions.

If you and a guest would like to attend the premiere party for National Parks Adventure, please RSVP to Nathan Young, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations and Promotions Manager, at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org. Space is limited. RSVP by Friday, March 11, 2016.

Or via the link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-parks-adventure-vip-screening-tickets-21571551090

# # #

Media Interviews

The Fleet is pleased to have a representative from National Parks Adventure available for interview in conjunction with the film.

Rachel Pohl
Artist & Adventurer

At the heart of National Parks Adventure is young artist and adventurer Rachel Pohl's quest to visit all the national parks across the United States.

Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, Rachel has always been at home in wilderness. She can often be found skiing, painting, climbing, mountain biking or exploring wild places. She also loves teaching art lessons and volunteering with at-risk adolescents.

In her artwork, Rachel strives to express the experience of being in wild places, the feeling of being surrounded by undulating energy, dazzling light and being immersed in quiet solitude. The joyful nature of her paintings, with their vibrant colors and stylized forms, are reminiscent of the feeling of moving through a dynamic and billowing world of light and shadow.

Her work can be seen at www.rachelpohlart.com.

(Please Note: The Fleet is also happy to work with reporters and producers to identify local conservationists and natural spaces representatives to be available for interviews and create local tie-ins to the story.)

# # #

National Parks Adventure is available for public screenings, school and group reservations or private screenings at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Reservations can be made by contacting the Fleet Science Center directly. For school or group reservations, please contact the Client Services Department at (619) 238-1233 ext. 806 or Clientservices@rhfleet.org. If you would like to arrange a private screening of the film, please contact the Special Events Department at (619) 685-5729 or SpecialEvents@rhfleet.org. Tickets for public screenings are on sale now at the Fleet ticket counter and at www.rhfleet.org.

 # # #

About National Parks Adventure

National Parks Adventure is a MacGillivray Freeman film produced in association with Brand USA and presented globally by Expedia, Inc. and Subaru of America, Inc. with major support from the Giant Dome Theater Consortium. The film is directed by Greg MacGillivray (The Living Sea, Dolphins, Everest) and produced by Shaun MacGillivray (To The Arctic, Grand Canyon Adventure). Academy Award winner Robert Redford narrates the film. Filmed with IMAX cameras, National Parks Adventure is written by Stephen Judson (Everest, To The Arctic) and Tim Cahill (Everest) with a musical score by Steve Wood (Journey to the South Pacific, To The Arctic).

About Brand USA

Brand USA is the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organization's mission is to increase international visitation to the United States while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximize the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit www.TheBrandUSA.com.  For information about travel to and around the United States, please visit Brand USA's consumer website at www.VisitTheUSA.com.

About MacGillivray Freeman Films

MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world's foremost independent producer and distributor of giant-screen 70mm films with 38 films for IMAX and giant-screen theaters to its credit. Throughout the company's 50-year history, its films have won numerous international awards, including two Academy Award® nominations and three films inducted into the IMAX Hall of Fame. MacGillivray Freeman's films are known for their artistry and celebration of science and the natural world. It is the first documentary film company to reach the one billion dollar benchmark for worldwide box office. For more information about the company, visit www.MacGillivrayFreemanFilms.com.