From award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Bird, the film explores the connection between humans and dolphins, for release on February 14, 2025
A fine cut will be presented at the GSCA Fall Conference in September
August 15, 2024 (Laguna Beach, CA) – MacGillivray Freeman Films (MFF) is pleased to announce it has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Call of the Dolphins, the exciting new 3D giant-screen film from award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Bird, slated for release to IMAX® and giant-screen theaters starting February 14, 2025.
With the same spectacular cinematography that fans have come to expect from Jonathan, Call of the Dolphins explores the deep and mysterious connection between humans and dolphins and takes us deep inside the captivating world of these intelligent, playful marine mammals.
“Dolphins are some of the most revered creatures on the planet, and humans have long felt a deep bond with these intelligent animals,” said director Jonathan Bird. “Call of the Dolphins explores what draws us to these marine mammals, from their joyful nature to their curiosity about humans, and introduces some of the inspiring individuals who have dedicated their lives to learning about and protecting these remarkable creatures.”
“Everyone loves dolphins, and Call of the Dolphins delivers on its promise of immersing audiences in their beautiful underwater world while highlighting the importance of protecting their natural habitats,” said Shaun MacGillivray, President of MacGillivray Freeman Films. “Viewers will see dolphin behaviors rarely seen on film before and will be moved by stories of dolphin rescue teams who have successfully saved hundreds of stranded dolphins. We look forward to working with our theater clients to bring this immersive experience to global audiences.”
Call of the Dolphins introduces people such as Captain Wayne Scott Smith who has led wild dolphin snorkeling tours for 35 years in the Bahamas, where Atlantic Spotted dolphins now recognize him and play with him; volunteers from the IFAW Dolphin Rescue Center led by veterinarian Dr. Sarah Sharp and stranding biologist Kira Kasper, who help rescue and rehabilitate stranded dolphins; and scientists from the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program who use photo identification to track dolphins over decades, aided by advanced technology and new tracking systems. Special behaviors seen in the film include strand feeding, where dolphins in North Carolina work together to trap fish against the shoreline, and echolocation which helps dolphins develop other unique hunting strategies.
Call of the Dolphins is the fourth giant screen film from Jonathan Bird, following Ancient Caves, which won three GSCA Film Achievement Awards including Best Film of the Year and Best Cinematography, Astronaut: Ocean to Orbit about NASA’s underwater training program for its astronauts, and Secrets of Sea, which Jonathan co-directed with Howard Hall and which also won a GSCA Best Film of the Year Award.
MacGillivray Freeman Films will present a fine cut of Call of the Dolphins at the 2024 GSCA Fall Conference.
