Earth Protect Blog

So much great news to report about A Sea Change.

In June, the film received the Grand Prize, Feature Documentary, at the FICA International Environmental Film Festival in Brazil. We are honored, and delighted that this story of a Norwegian-American is meaningful around the world and across the language barrier.

A Sea Change will have a US telecast, on the Planet Green network Sept. 26, at 8 pm. It's the first and only 24-hour, eco-lifestyle TV network. A Sea Change airs as part of Planet Green's "Reel Impact" series. We're in terrific company: also airing are An Inconvenient Truth, Who Killed the Electric Car , and Grizzly Man. Of course, not everyone in the U.S. has cable or satellite TV. That's why we hope those of you who do will host viewing parties.

A Sea Change now has an educational distributor. Bullfrog is a legendary distributor of environmental films; we could not be in better hands. They represent documentaries like King Korn and China Blue. Our new international sales agent is a Films Transit. Again, we are thrilled.

No one understands the power of documentary better than founder Jan. We're also happy to report that outreach for A Sea Change has received funding from the Fledgling Fund and the their support is invaluable and we thank them heartily.

What's on the table for the fall? A giant push to get oceans on the table at COP-15. We need to send a message to those who'll be representing us in Copenhagen this December that people around the world know that oceans are affected by carbon dioxide and we're committed to taking action, making sacrifices if need be, to reduce ocean acidification and make carbon emission.

We urge you to use A Sea Change to help raise public awareness. 350.org is leading the way with the International Day of Climate Action on October 24. Why not host a screening of A Sea Change as part of your action? Just email me and I'll help you get started.

Also in the works: a new website we'll be launching in early September, just in time for the US telecast. Key features we'll be adding: a bulletin board so that visitors can exchange ideas and discuss information more easily, a Google-map-based display for screenings, and a sales page so that we can sell DVDs to the general public.

I do want to take a moment to ask again for your financial help. We need to raise additional funds to support outreach, so that we can continue to get the word out about A Sea Change and ocean acidification. The full production budget was raised, and there's a beautiful, moving film to show for it. But that's just the beginning. No film exists unless it's seen by an audience. And a film about a subject like ocean acidification needs to be more than seen; it must be discussed, and tools must be provided for the audience to take action. All that takes money. Your donation, whether for $25, $50 or more, will be a huge help. And it's tax deductible when you give through our fiscal sponsor, Sailors for the Sea. If you prefer, invest in A Sea Change T-shirt, water bottle, or HD video camera. Thanks for your support and interest.

AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS See our complete schedule online

Los Angeles, USA, Downtown Film Festival - LA Maine, USA: the Mt Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Maine Environmental Research Institute, and Rockland's Strand Theatre Pittsburgh, USA: and an excerpt at Netroots Nation screening showcase Brisbane, Australia: Australian Marine Conservation Society

SEPT. HIGHLIGHTS Wellington, New Zealand: The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand New York, USA: NYC premiere, American Museum of Natural History, in partnership with Oceana Port Townsend, USA: Port Townsend Marine Science Center & the Wooden Boat Foundation