Evanston, IL (January 25, 2018) – BBC Earth and Giant Screen Films (GSF) are proud to announce that global tech giant Microsoft has come aboard as the exclusive technology sponsor for Oceans: Our Blue Planet, releasing worldwide on March 16, 2018. Partnering with BBC Worldwide Learning, the division of BBC’s commercial arm that creates educational content, Microsoft’s digital and scholastic tools will be deployed for the first time in the museum arena. The partnership will focus on developing a range of market-tailored educational activations to support the release of Oceans: Our Blue Planet.
The educational content and activities will be tailored around the messages and themes portrayed in Oceans: Our Blue Planet. BBC Worldwide Learning and Microsoft will create projects and teaching resources across a range of STEM subject areas, featuring innovative digital and technology based applications such as Mixed Reality for education. The programs will be promoted in Giant Screen Film theaters across the country.
“For the past five years, BBC Earth titles have been a huge revenue generator for museum and aquarium theaters, and we expect Oceans: Our Blue Planet to be in a league of its own,” said Mark Katz, Senior Vice President of Giant Screen Films. “The film’s topic, exceptional story, and footage, coupled with the outreach muscle that BBC and Microsoft bring to the market, ensure that Oceans: Our Blue Planet will be the standout film in 2018.”
“We are thrilled to have secured Microsoft as a partner, for both the film and the museum cinema industry,” added Julia Kenyon, Global Brand Director for BBC Earth. “The collaboration is designed to make Oceans our largest release so far – providing tangible benefits to help institutions maximize success and reach, inspiring audiences to learn more about the world’s oceans. We are very excited to engage with theaters on an exciting range of activation initiatives that GSF and BBC will be announcing in the coming weeks.”
“Simply put, Oceans: Our Blue Planet is a visual spectacle that features cutting edge science and fascinating new discoveries – and the alignment with Microsoft’s brand and mission were exceptional. The Microsoft Education initiatives featured in the partnership will augment the film to bring marine science (and conservation) to life for classroom and family audiences. Our goal is to leverage the Microsoft toolkit to help theaters and educators extend the film’s experience beyond the screen,” stated Beth Watson, Director of Education Partner Marketing for Microsoft.
Oceans: Our Blue Planet will be available in all formats: 2D & 3D, DCI-compliant Digital, IMAX Digital, IMAX Laser, Dome-customized 15/70, D3D Laser CineDome, Fulldome Digital.
Oceans: Our Blue Planet is a BBC Earth and Alucia Productions co-production.
Contact your Giant Screen Films rep for pre-leasing terms and more information.
About Giant Screen Films (GSF)
Since 1997, GSF has established itself as a pioneer in the large-format industry, producing and distributing films that push the boundaries of the medium. Through the magic of immersive sight and sound technologies, GSF’s productions challenge the imaginations of children and adults, offering an inspiring perspective on the world and an unforgettable theater experience. Meaningful educational collaboration and partnerships extend each film’s impact far beyond the theater. The company is recognized as one of the world’s leading and most active large-format producers and is based in Evanston, Illinois. For additional information, visit www.gsfilms.com.
About BBC Earth
BBC Earth is a global portfolio brand that invites audiences everywhere to engage with the wonders of our universe. We bring amazing premium content, television and experiences to the world, across multiple platforms including branded channels, live events, digital & social media, AR/VR, theatrical releases for cinema & giant screen films, and consumer products. We believe that celebrating and connecting with our world is more important than ever, across nature, science, space and the human race. Along with our partners we are continually innovating to find new stories and experiences to bring insight, enlightenment and fresh perspectives to inspire us to think and feel differently about our world. From the epic to the everyday, BBC Earth brings you face to face with heart-pounding action, mind-blowing ideas and the sheer wonder of being part of this amazing planet we call home.