July
22, 2002 - Burbank, CA. SlingShot Entertainment, the world’s largest
distributor of large format films on DVD and video, and the Houston Museum
of Natural Science, one of the largest and most prestigious science centers
in the world, announced the signing of a worldwide seven-year agreement
to distribute Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa, the newest large format
film produced by HMNS, on DVD and video. For more information contact:
SlingShot Entertainment
Mitch Perliss Jennifer Nelson Houston Museum of Natural Science
Charlotte Brohi
Kilimanjaro, a 40-minute large format film, documents a band of trekkers
as they journey through rugged terrain and extreme conditions to look out
from Africa’s highest point in the latest mountain adventure film
from David Breashears (Co-Director and Expedition Leader of Everest). This
film takes its viewers to the expansive slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro where
they can experience the extremes of five climate zones and majestic landscapes
of this mystical mountain.
The movie premiered in March 2002 to excellent reviews and will be available
on DVD and video in October 2002. “We’re excited about releasing
Kilimanjaro on DVD,” commented Mitch Perliss, Vice President of SlingShot
Entertainment. “The film is an eye-opening experience that moves beyond
a mere climb and tells a great story about the personal trials and tribulations
this diverse group of climbers had to face during their trek.”
“Jennifer Nelson, our Director of Product Development, is spearheading
a variety of bonus features to enhance the DVD viewing experience. Kilimanjaro
is a title that lends itself perfectly to DVD bonus features,” continues
Perliss. “In addition to producing a “Making Of” for the
title, we will be presenting information on Mount Kilimanjaro that will
be both entertaining and educational to viewers of all ages.”
“I’m very excited to be a part of the release of the DVD,”
stated Director/Producer David Breashears, who created the “Making
Of” and is expected to create a Director’s Commentary. “Kilimanjaro
was, in many ways, a much more difficult movie to make than Everest, and
I’m excited that it will be available on DVD before the end of the
year.”
“SlingShot has produced and distributed several of our other theatrical
films on DVD and we’re pleased to partner with them on Kilimanjaro,”
commented Charlotte Brohi, Director of Film Distribution of the Houston
Museum of Natural Science. “It has been a great experience to see
how they’ve marketed DVDs and videos in the past, and we are excited
about the prospects for Kilimanjaro. We anticipate announcing the release
of an additional large format title on DVD and video through SlingShot in
the near future.”
Founded in 1993, the Film Distribution Department of the Houston Museum
of Natural Science is an industry leader in the coordination, production
and distribution of large format films. As one of three museum-based distributors
of large format films, HMNS is one of the most active, with 5 films released
in just over 8 years.
David Breashears is the world's most accomplished high altitude mountaineer/filmmaker.
Breashears has combined his climbing expertise and filmmaking vision in
dozens of adventure film projects, several of them involving ascents of
Mount Everest. In 1983 Breashears transmitted the first live pictures from
the summit of Mount Everest for ABC Sports, winning an Emmy® for Innovative
Technical Achievement. In 1985, he became the first American to reach the
summit of Everest twice. In 1996, Breashears was Co-Director, Director of
Photography and Expedition Leader for the large format film Everest.
SlingShot Entertainment is the world’s largest distributor of large
format films on DVD and video. Located in Burbank, CA, SlingShot is affiliated
with The Enterprise Group, a multi-media conglomerate that provides a variety
of world-class services for audio, video, DVD, interactive and live productions.
Enterprise Studio was named #2 Mixing Studio of 2001 by Billboard Magazine.
SlingShot’s complete DVD collection ranges from an eclectic mix of
movies originally presented in IMAX® theaters to cult and classics films
and a host of animated features for all ages.
Vice President/General Manager
(818) 755-8888
mitch@slingshotent.com
Director of Product Development
(818) 755-8888
jennifer.nelson@slingshotent.com
Director of Film Distribution
(713) 639-4725
cbrohi@hmns.org