CONTACT:
Lori De Waal, 323-462-4122 [email protected]
ADI Films Media Desk, 323-804-9920 [email protected]
Saturday February 8th: CSI star Jorja Fox and Lion Ark team to attend NAACP Image Award Nominee’s Luncheon, Hollywood
February 7, 2014, LOS ANGELES, CA – The producers of Lion Ark, the animal rescue documentary nominated for a 45th NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding International Motion Picture category, will be attending the famous Nominees’ Luncheon this Saturday – an event recorded each year in the Library of Congress.
Lion Ark’s Tim Phillips (Director/Producer), Jan Creamer (Producer), CSI star Jorja Fox (Associate Producer), and Lelah Foster (Lion Ark Photographer) will be arriving on the red carpet at 11:15am.
11:15am The Loews Hollywood Hotel, 1755 North Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA.
The 45th Image Awards are organized by America’s oldest and largest civil rights organization the NAACP (the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and are voted on by NAACP members. The prestigious Image Awards celebrate “the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.”
Others nominees up for awards this year in other categories include Beyoncé, John Legend, Halle Berry, Oprah Winfrey, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Forest Whitaker.
The Nominee’s Luncheon has become a tradition that provides an opportunity for the Hollywood creative community, the social justice community, and the NAACP’s leadership to come together to recognize the best that communities of color have to offer. At the Luncheon, nominees will receive their nomination certificate and have their picture taken for the 45th NAACP Image Award Nominee commemorative photograph, which will be archived with the Library of Congress.
Lion Ark follows a dangerous and ambitious international animal rescue by a diverse group of people from Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Britain and America who come together to help the lions. The illegal circuses are tracked down across Bolivia and the animals saved, culminating in a huge airlift of 25 lions to safety in the U.S. The film follows the huge logistical task as the group fights to save the lions. The film has already picked up several awards since being launched on the film festival circuit in October, including two Audience Choice Awards.
Actress Jorja Fox, world famous for her role as Sara Sidle in CSI, is an associate Producer of Lion Ark and also appears in the film: “What I didn’t realize was that it was going to be an extraordinary story about the human spirit and what the human spirit can do when people come together.”
Jan Creamer, Lion Ark organizer, President of Animal Defenders International, the charity behind the rescue: “We are deeply honored and excited to attend the Nominee’s Luncheon. This nomination is very special and holds a special place in the hearts of a team like ours – we work across all kinds of boundaries and differences to work for a better world.”
Tim Phillips, Director of Lion Ark: “Lion Ark is a film about respect for people and animals so we couldn’t be more pleased to receive this nomination. In this film, you see the worst of humanity, but also humanity at its best. It is an empowering film that shows that people can make a difference. Lion Ark shows how animal protection is a vital part of the fabric of social justice, where human society draws a line as to what is, and is not, acceptable.”
Winners will be voted upon by the NAACP members and announced on Friday, February 21st during the Awards Ceremony for non-televised categories. The remaining categories will be announced LIVE on stage during the two-hour star-studded TV One telecast on Saturday, February 22nd (9:00pm ET/PT tape-delayed). The telecast will also include a one-hour pre-show airing live from the red carpet (8:00pm ET/PT tape-delayed).
The glittering awards ceremony in Los Angeles has, in the past, been hosted by luminaries such as Denzel Washington, Diana Ross, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Whitney Houston.
The Image Awards http://www.naacpimageawards.net
Lion Ark http://www.lionarkthemovie.com
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NOTES TO EDITORS
– MEDIA
High resolution stills from Lion Ark and broadcast quality one minute clips of scenes are available on request.
See the Lion Ark Trailer online at: www.lionarkthemovie.com
CONTACT:
Lori De Waal, 323-462-4122 [email protected]
ADI Films Media Desk 323-804-9920 [email protected]
Lion Ark: More action adventure than traditional documentary, Lion Ark follows the world’s most ambitious and daring animal rescue, with a narrative compiled from film, interviews, conversations and reactions as events unfolded. How attitudes to animals were changed in Bolivia, illegal circuses pursued and closed, and 25 lions airlifted to freedom.
Lion Ark Film Festival Selections include: Winner Best Documentary (Jury Award), Sun & Sand Film & Music Festival, Mississippi; Winner Audience Choice Best Documentary, San Diego Film Festival; Audience Choice Award Anchorage International Film Festival; Official Selection Raindance Film Festival, London; Official Selection Mill Valley Film Festival; Official Selection Hawaii International Film Festival; Official Selection Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival; Official Selection Virginia Film Festival; Official Selection Starz Denver Film Festival; Official Selection Irvine International Film Festival; Official Selection Beloit International Film Festival; Official Selection Sedona International Film Festival.
NAACP: Founded in 1909, the NAACP is America’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. From the ballot box to the classroom, the thousands of dedicated workers, organizers, leaders and members who make up the NAACP continue to fight for social justice for all Americans. The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT LION ARK
“a spunky account of a perilous rescue mission…Lion Ark proceeds with refreshing unpredictability.”
– Jeannette Catsoulis, The New York Times
“Compelling cinema verité”
– Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter
“If you enjoy movies filled with suspense, thrills, surprises, adventure and action, put Lion Ark on your must-see list. For me, Lion Ark is the feel-good movie of the year!”
– Betty Jo Tucker, Reel Talk
“heartwarming, beautiful and inspirational. It reminds you of the majestic power of documentary filmmaking and it’s ability to stir true emotion.”
– Justin Bozung, Shock Cinema Magazine / Mondo Film & Video Guide
“this film should be a target for this year’s Oscars. Excellent.”
– ACED Magazine
“Lion Ark is through and through entertaining…be ready for some up-tempo action-adventure of the most thrilling variety: real-life.”
– Stark Insider
“thoroughly rewarding…”
– TV and Film Review
“Lion Ark is an awe-inspiring journey that grips and engages”
– Britflicks
“Lion Ark takes an already incredible and unforgettable story and breathes life and passion and transformation into it…one of your must-see films of 2013.”
– The Independent Critic
“A consciousness-raising milestone of a documentary”
– Edgar Vaid, The Ecologist
“will restore some faith in humanity”
– JM Willis, Shockya.com
“Lion Ark is a film that will grab your attention and your heart”
– Alexis Higgins, CMR Movie Reviews and News
“ultimately an uplifting story. It’s a revealing documentary with a lot of heart.”
– Jennie Kermode, Eye For Film
“AMAZING! Viewers will be crying tears of joy throughout…”
– Renee Snyder, International Animal Welfare Examiner, The Examiner
More reviews and links to all above reviews are available here: www.lionarkthemovie.com/news/lion-ark-reviews
