Jean-Michel Cousteau, the United Nations Environment Programme and 3D Entertainment Join Forces to Protect Sharks with New 3D IMAX Theatre Film

Jean-Michel Cousteau, the United Nations Environment Programme and 3D Entertainment Join Forces to Protect Sharks with New 3D IMAX Theatre Film World Premiere Screening of 'SHARKS 3D,' Hosted by Jean-Michel Cousteau, to be Held December 15, 2004 at the Luxor IMAX Theatre in Las Vegas in Association With the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay SHARKS 3D, the First-Ever Shark-Themed IMAX Theatre Film Produced in 3D, Offers an Astonishing, Up-Close Three-Dimensional Encounter With Nature's Ultimate, Yet Endangered Predator While Delivering a Compelling Conservation Message LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Jean-Michel Cousteau, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and 3D Entertainment today announced the upcoming release of SHARKS 3D, a breathtaking three-dimensional underwater adventure. The film brings the viewer face to face with a multitude of the world's great shark species, including the Great White, Whale Shark and Hammerhead. Audiences will experience them as they truly are in their natural habitat: not wicked man-eating creatures, but wild, fascinating, and highly endangered animals. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041210/LAFRU12 ) Principal photography on SHARKS 3D required an extensive nine-month shoot totaling 500 dive hours. The film, shot on location in Guadalupe Island, Socorro Island and the Sea of Cortez (Mexico), Malpelo Island (Colombia), the Red Sea (Egypt), Sodwana Bay (South Africa), Mozambique Channel and Rangiroa Atoll (French Polynesia), consists uniquely of underwater footage, with none of the usual "dive preparation" sequences. "The minute I saw this amazing footage, I knew I had to be involved with this documentary. With this 3D experience, you ARE the diver, swimming weightlessly with sharks all around," said Jean-Michel Cousteau, President and Chairman of Ocean Futures Society. "SHARKS 3D sheds new light on the urgent need to protect these magnificent endangered animals, which are so essential to the survival of our oceans. To inspire and educate people to act responsibly in order to ensure the preservation of the world's oceans is a mission the film and I have long shared." "We are thrilled to be working with such a world-renowned personality as Jean-Michel on this new ocean adventure and to have expanded our agreement with UNEP," said Francois Mantello, executive director of 3D Entertainment. "Our first successful venture with the United Nations dates back to February 2003, when we released "OCEAN WONDERLAND 3D," the popular IMAX theatre film about the preservation of coral reefs. This documentary, which is still playing worldwide, has generated over $17 million in ticket sales to date." "Despite the existence of various international treaties, certain shark species have been reduced by nearly 80% in the past decade alone. Today, the priority is not only to end the steady decline of the shark population, but to rehabilitate its image among the general public," said UNEP's Executive Director, Klaus Toepfer. "We believe that this outstanding IMAX theatre film is an ideal means of reaching a vast audience and changing a great number of people's perception of these animals. SHARKS 3D contributes greatly to marine conservation efforts, and we believe it could be used as part of a wider public awareness campaign for shark protection." In addition to its Las Vegas engagement, SHARKS 3D will be shown this month at two of the USA's top institution-based IMAX theatres: the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach (VA), and the Audubon Institute's New Orleans Aquarium, New Orleans (LA). SHARKS 3D also has commitments from over 35 IMAX theatres. The film is scheduled to open at select IMAX theatres in the USA in March 2005 before expanding into nine countries shortly thereafter. SHARKS 3D is produced by 3D Entertainment Ltd. and Gavin McKinney Productions Inc. Directed by Jean-Jacques Mantello, filmed by Gavin McKinney and executive produced by Francois Mantello, the film is distributed worldwide by 3D Entertainment. Christophe Jacquelin composed the original music score. Film website: http://www.sharks3d.com/ About Ocean Futures Society Ocean Futures Society http://www.oceanfutures.org/ is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization with the mission to explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean's vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet. About United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) UNEP http://www.unep.org/, established in 1972, is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. To accomplish this, UNEP works with a wide range of partners, including United Nations entities, international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society. About 3D Entertainment 3D Entertainment, based in London (UK), specializes in the production and distribution of marine conservation and environmental-themed films for the worldwide network of IMAX theatres. The company's mission is to immerse audiences in films that inspire and educate. Their first film, OCEAN WONDERLAND 3D, released in February 2003 and produced in partnership with Gavin McKinney Productions, continues to enjoy great success with over 3.2 million viewers to date. For further information: 3D Entertainment, Los Angeles (CA) Sheila Morris, 1-818-487-9300, sheila@morrispr.com Julien Bollee, 1-800-819-7753, jbollee@sharks3D.com Ocean Futures Society, Santa Barbara (CA) Paul Zemitzsch, 1-314-616-7873, paul@sequel-llc.com United Nations Environment Programme, New York (NY) James Sniffen, 1-212-963-8094, sniffenj@un.org IMAX is a registered trademark of IMAX Corporation Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041210/LAFRU12 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: 3D Entertainment CONTACT: Sheila Morris, +1-818-487-9300, sheila@morrispr.com, or Julien Bollee, +1-800-819-7753, jbollee@sharks3D.com, both for 3D Entertainment, Los Angeles (CA); or Paul Zemitzsch of Ocean Futures Society, Santa Barbara (CA), +1-314-616-7873, paul@sequel-llc.com; or James Sniffen of United Nations Environment Programme, New York (NY), +1-212-963-8094, sniffenj@un.org Web site: http://www.sharks3d.com/ Web site: http://www.oceanfutures.org/ Web site: http://www.unep.org/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment