| AWARD-WINNING RESCUE DOCUMENTARY ‘LION ARK’ STREAMING FOR THE FIRST TIME JANUARY 26, 2022 – The award-winning rescue documentary, Lion Ark, is streaming for the first time today on EarthStream. Lion Ark tells the story of the daring rescue by Animal Defenders International (ADI) to enforce a ban on the use of animals in circuses by the Government of Bolivia. More action adventure than traditional documentary, Lion Ark is up close and personal, in the thick of the action. Circuses defy the law, but are tracked down, animals are saved, and a joyous finale sees 25 lions airlifted to freedom. A story of bravery, compassion, a country that said ‘no’ to cruelty, and how attitudes towards animals changed across a continent. Lion Ark captures what it is to be at the heart of a rescue mission when the outcome is far from known. View the Lion Ark trailer here. The critically acclaimed movie took film festivals by storm, winning 11 awards and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding International Motion Picture – a first for an animal protection film in the prestigious civil rights awards. Reel Talk dubbed Lion Ark “the feel-good movie of the year!”; The Hollywood Reporter “Compelling“; The New York Times “Refreshing”; The Ecologist “A consciousness-raising milestone“; Shock Cinema Magazine / Mondo Film & Video Guide “heartwarming, beautiful, inspirational…power of documentary filmmaking”; Shockya.com “emotionally powerful”; Epoch Times “courageous”; Nature Network / Huffington Post “poignant”; Britflicks “unmissable” and “Born Free with balls on”. The film has been broadcast in over 40 countries, a favorite on Animal Planet and Discovery in Latin America, has been shown in the National Congress in Italy, the US, Bolivia, and Pennsylvania State, but this is the first time it has been available to stream worldwide. The new ethical platform EarthStream has been selected for the launch, with funds from subscriptions going to ADI’s international rescues. With no facilities for many of the banned circus animals in Bolivia, ADI undertook an unprecedented operation, setting up a temporary rescue unit to receive animals, raiding every circus and emptying every cage. ADI rescued and relocated 29 lions and rehomed monkeys and other animals in Bolivia. The success of Operation Lion Ark and its popularity triggered animal circus bans throughout Latin America and beyond. Since then, ADI has carried out similar missions in Colombia, Peru (rescuing over 100 animals and flying 33 lions to South Africa), and Guatemala (relocating over 20 lions and tigers to the US and South Africa). ADI now operates its own wildlife sanctuary in South Africa, built for its circus survivors and others. Lion Ark Director Tim Phillips notes that although eye-opening, the film is fun and uplifting: “We wanted people to experience a frontline animal rescue, both the challenges and the joy. The film tackles a serious issue, but is exciting and leaves people with a smile on their face, knowing they can make a difference as they see the lives of these animals transform.” EarthStream, available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku, will be screening the best films from the conservation and animal protection world. The platform has over 400 documentaries, shorts, and clips and will be adding new content every month, including new releases from ADI Films. EarthStream is designed to help non-profits helping animals, with 25% of revenues donated. As a special promotion, for every subscription made though the Lion Ark page, $30 (normally $20) from every annual subscription will directly benefit ADI’s rescued animals. $30 will buy: A pair of bolt cutters to cut an animal free from their cage or chains. Provide soft hay bedding for ten shelters for the circus survivors at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS). Build 3ft of fencing for a lion habitat at ADIWS – that’s like giving a rescued lion their first step to freedom into a 2.5+ acre habitat. Fuels an ADIWS firefighter for a month, helping ADIWS put out wildfires in the area and keep animals safe. See Lion Ark and support ADI’s rescue work: subscribe to EarthStream here. Made by ADI Films, Lion Ark was part crowd-funded, together with Associate Producers Seafox Productions (production company of CSI actress Jorja Fox) and Vivian Bosch. Jorja Fox and award-winning TV legend Bob Barker both appear in Lion Ark. The film was signed into worldwide distribution with ITV Global and has been broadcasted in over 40 countries. |
