“Escape from Extinction Rewilding” has been acquired by Western Films for U.S. distribution. The indie player made the acquisition in association with American Humane, the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare practices.
Directed and produced by Matthew Brady through his company MRB Productions, the documentary showcases how “rewilding,” an innovative, ground-tested solution, ensures that conservation efforts are effective and sustainable.
According to filmmakers, the documentary “takes you to the brink of extinction, offering a unique glimpse into a world shaped by what scientists and journalists refer to as the ‘Sixth Mass Extinction.’ It vividly brings to life the wildlife experts and conservationists who are rewilding endangered species from the jungles of Africa to the coastlines of California.”
This film is a sequel to the award-winning doc narrated by Oscar, Tony and Emmy Award winner Helen Mirren, titled “Escape from Extinction.” The first was feted with the 2020 Doc LA award for Best Environmental Film, and Mirren won the Parajanov-Vartanov Institute Award for her narration work.
“We are witnessing an alarming rise in the poaching and slaughter of some of the world’s most endangered animals, highlighting the urgent necessity to expand conservation efforts globally,” Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane and the film’s executive producer, said in a statement.
She added, “Rewilding is a crucial conservation practice that allows us to restore natural ecosystems and protect these vulnerable species. This documentary not only brings the importance of rewilding to the forefront but also emphasizes that you can’t protect what you don’t love, and you can’t love what you don’t know.”
The documentary will be distributed to theatres across America on Sept. 27, 2024.