May 27, 2008--MacGillivray Freeman Films continues to contribute to the global discussion on water issues by making available a special presentation of its critically acclaimed giant screen film Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk 3D at the 2008 Telluride Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado. The film was shown in a special digital 3D presentation on Sunday, May 25, and was followed by an in-depth panel discussion on water issues of the American Southwest. Water was the overall theme of the festival this year.

“The Telluride Mountainfilm Festival is an inspired gathering of brilliant thinkers, scientists, environmentalists, and filmmakers who share an interest in the most important issues of the day,” said Greg MacGillivray. “Grand Canyon Adventure will make an important contribution to the festival’s discussion of global water issues and in particular the drought that is threatening the Colorado River. We are honored to play a part.”

A daylong Water Symposium kicked off the festival with special guests Dennis Dimmick, Grand Canyon Adventure science advisor Peter Gleick, Brad Udall, Azzam Alwash, Alexandra Cousteau, and Sylvia Earle.

Grand Canyon Adventure was originally produced for exhibition in 3D and 2D IMAX theaters and was converted from 70mm to digital 3D by DKP 70MM, Inc. in Santa Monica. The film was first released to IMAX theaters on March 14 and is now showing in more than 30 3D and 2D IMAX theaters. The film has grossed $3 million in its first 9 weeks of release, making it the top-grossing original 70mm documentary so far this year.

The high-altitude screening is also making cinematic and technological history by becoming the world’s highest-ever showing of a digital 3D film presentation. The elevation in Telluride is 8,750 feet above sea level. The previous high-altitude record for a digital 3D showing is Park City, Utah, with an altitude of 6,900 feet above sea level.

Set on the iconic Colorado River, Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk 3D takes viewers on an unforgettable river journey that calls attention to the world’s growing shortage of fresh water. Leading the expedition are noted river advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and celebrated anthropologist Wade Davis with Native American river guide Shana Watahomigie. As new scientific studies forecast water shortages in the Western U.S. and around the world, Grand Canyon Adventure explores the issues, presents real solutions and delivers an uplifting message of hope, showing how ordinary people can make a difference for the parched planet.

Grand Canyon Adventure is narrated by Robert Redford and features songs and music by Dave Matthews Band. The film is produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation in association with Museum Film Network, Reynders McVeigh Capital Management, and Waterkeeper Alliance. It is presented by Teva and supported by Kohler Co. The film is directed by Greg MacGillivray; produced by Greg MacGillivray, Mark Krenzien and Shaun MacGillivray; written by Jack Stephens and Stephen Judson; edited by Stephen Judson; with musical score composed and arranged by Steve Wood and Stefan Lessard.