One could not conceive of a better place for the news about a film to break than in The Hollywood Reporter, and that’s where the news broke that the internationally famous actor, director and producer Robert Redford is the narrator of Brand USA’s giant-screen film that stars some U.S. National Parks. The park system is celebrating its 100th anniversary next year. (The National Park Service, which was created by Congress on August 25, 1916, will be observing its centennial throughout the year.)
“America’s Wild: A National Parks Adventure,” Brand USA’s much-awaited big screen film, had it debut, of sorts, this week—at the U.S. Travel Association’s ESTO (Educational Seminars for Tourism Officials) conference Aug. 23-25 in Portland, Oregon—where an extended 12-minute trailer for the film premiered. “Adventure” used four crews overseen by producer Shaun MacGillivray, and was shot in 30 national parks over a nine-month period.
At the Brand USA recent board of directors marketing committee meeting, Tom Garzilli, senior vice president, global partner marketing, gave an update on the film’s progress, its expected launch date and the effort to sign up theaters and sponsors. Over the next three months, he said, BUSA “will be working proactively engaging theater around the world to maximize viewership. We’re targeting six countries and regions representing about 90 percent of international screens.” They are China (120 screens); Europe (85); Canada (44); Japan (42); Mexico (18); and India (12).
A major part of this signup effort will take place next month with a preview at the annual international conference and trade show of the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) in San Francisco. Another big occasion will be World Travel Market in early November in London, where there will be another showing of the film’s extended trailer.
And finally … the world premier of the film will take place on Feb. 10 or Feb. 11 in Washington, D.C. Garzilli pointed out that the film has involved no financing on the part of Brand USA. It is privately funded, with Expedia having stepped up to become the first global sponsor of “Adventure.”
