Journey along the wild Amazon with one of the greatest naturalists and intrepid explorers who ever lived but who is largely unknown. Henry Bates spent 11 years in the rainforest in the most bio-diverse location on earth. He traveled to remote places with a guitar and a red-faced monkey, almost died numerous times, and by 1860 had documented 8,000 new species! Oh yes, and he also discovered mimicry, the amazing phenomenon whereby animals take on the look of other animals in order to deceive predators and survive in a competitive world – providing the “beautiful proof “of natural selection. Audiences will be immersed in mindboggling examples of mimicry. And today, remarkable scientists have uncovered the fascinating mechanisms and genetics of how mimicry works. In the spirit of SK’s hit new film Flight of the Butterflies 3D, nature is extraordinary and science is adventure, just waiting to be discovered and advanced.

Journey along the wild Amazon with one of the greatest naturalists and intrepid explorers who ever lived but who is largely unknown. Henry Bates spent 11 years in the rainforest in the most bio-diverse location on earth. He traveled to remote places with a guitar and a red-faced monkey, almost died numerous times, and by 1860 had documented 8,000 new species! Oh yes, and he also discovered mimicry, the amazing phenomenon whereby animals take on the look of other animals in order to deceive predators and survive in a competitive world – providing the “beautiful proof “of natural selection. Audiences will be immersed in mindboggling examples of mimicry. And today, remarkable scientists have uncovered the fascinating mechanisms and genetics of how mimicry works. In the spirit of SK’s hit new film Flight of the Butterflies 3D, nature is extraordinary and science is adventure, just waiting to be discovered and advanced.

Interweaves the story of the monarch butterfly migration, the longest and most amazing insect migration on the Planet Earth, and the fascinating scientific detective story of the 30 year long search for their remote overwintering sites in Mexico.

Every Fall half a billion Monarch butterflies head south on an epic three thousand mile journey. We invite you to soar a mile high alongside one of the greatest spectacles of the natural world, as we follow this incredible migration. From Canada through the US to Mexico, they unite these countries and cultures as children watch the skies with wonder. During the springs return flight north we encounter other fascinating critters. Bumblebees collecting pollen in flower meadows, thousands of mayflies hatching on the Mississippi river and farmer ants, shepherding caterpillars up trees and milking them of honeydew. The award winning film production team follows up on the smash success of Bugs! A Rainforest Adventure with a new film about yet more amazing tiny creatures on the giant screen in 3D and 2D. Produced by SK Films and Principal Large Format.

Visit the website, flightofthebutterflies.com for more detailed information.

Toronto (October 22, 2012) – The Wildscreen Festival is a prestigious and influential event in wildlife and natural history filmmaking, often referred to as the “Oscars” of the natural history world. The 2012 submission list included a record-breaking number of entries from over 46 countries. The jurors expressed that although the competition was stiff they were deeply impressed with the caliber and quality of the submissions and the ultimate nominees, showcasing not only great talent, but pointing towards a positive future for natural history/wildlife filmmaking. The judges awarded Alex & Tyler Mifflin, aka The Water Brothers, the BBC Earth Panda Award for Best Newcomer based on their youthful energy, enthusiasm and talent, while exploring the serious topic of the planet’s water resources.

Jonathan Barker, CEO of SK Films, Executive Producer of The Water Brothers TV series and a world leader in 3D nature documentary production accepted the award on behalf of Tyler and Alex. “The Water Brothers are in the middle of filming the exciting second season around the world and in Canada. They worked so hard on this series and are so passionate about water, they are garnering an excellent international reputation amongst water scientists and advocates. It is great to have TVO supporting emerging documentary filmmakers and then to have David Attenborough say how thrilled he is that there is such filmmaking talent and commitment in the next generation; is very rewarding. This group is so much more knowledgeable and savvy about our environment and they want to hear from, and be inspired and entertained by, their own generation including practical solutions within our reach.”

“We’d like to congratulate Tyler and Alex on this prestigious honour, and we are thrilled to have played a role in helping them share their passion for environmental issues with Ontario viewers,” says Nancy Chapelle, TVO’s Managing Director of Content and Programming. “TVO’s role is to inform and engage people in the issues that matter, and we saw in The Water Brothers an excellent vehicle for raising awareness about the many concerns surrounding water. We look forward to broadcasting the second season of the series on TVO in March 2013.”

Season 2 of The Water Brothers is currently in production, and the brothers will embark on many adventures such as sailing across the Pacific Ocean looking at ocean plastic and travel to destinations including Africa, India, Bangladesh and around North America. To stream episodes from the first season of The Water Brothers visit: http://ww3.tvo.org/program/171737/the-water-brothers

The Water Brothers are currently climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for an episode covering the topic of Women and Water for their upcoming Season 2. This “Climb For Life” initiative also raises awareness and funds for Canadian charity WaterCan to help combat water scarcity and potablity on a global level.

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For Media Inquiries contact:

Amber Hawtin – Director of Sales & Marketing

SK Films Inc.

ahawtin@skfilms.ca

416-367-0440 ext. 3033

About the Water Brothers:

The Water Brothers is an eco-adventure television series that airs on TVO, starring, directed and produced by real-life brothers, Alex & Tyler Mifflin.  They are currently in production on their second season, which will take them on many adventures like sailing across the Pacific Ocean looking at ocean plastic to Africa, India, Bangladesh and around North America.

The Water Brothers also created a mobile app called QUENCH to help cut down on plastic water bottle consumption and use. The app is available within the GTA and is downloadable from www.thewaterbrothers.ca and TVO’s App store and is sponsored by Brita.

About SK Films:

SK Films Inc. is a Toronto-based, multi-platform entertainment content provider and a leader in 3D film production and distribution. The company was founded in 1998 together with the late Robert Kerr, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Imax Corporation. Its nature film Flight of the Butterflies 3D is currently playing on IMAX / Giant Screens in select markets. For more information, visit skfilms.ca

About TVO:

TVO is Ontario’s public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO’s vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.

Interweaves the story of the monarch butterfly migration, the longest and most amazing insect migration on the Planet Earth, and the fascinating scientific detective story of the 30 year long search for their remote overwintering sites in Mexico.

Every Fall half a billion Monarch butterflies head south on an epic three thousand mile journey. We invite you to soar a mile high alongside one of the greatest spectacles of the natural world, as we follow this incredible migration. From Canada through the US to Mexico, they unite these countries and cultures as children watch the skies with wonder. During the springs return flight north we encounter other fascinating critters. Bumblebees collecting pollen in flower meadows, thousands of mayflies hatching on the Mississippi river and farmer ants, shepherding caterpillars up trees and milking them of honeydew. The award winning film production team follows up on the smash success of Bugs! A Rainforest Adventure with a new film about yet more amazing tiny creatures on the giant screen in 3D and 2D. Produced by SK Films and Principal Large Format.

Visit the website, flightofthebutterflies.com for more detailed information.

SK Films is pleased to announce that filming was completed on location in Mexico for SK’s upcoming release for IMAX^® and other Giant Screen theatres worldwide.

EL ROSARIO, MICHOACAN, MEXICO, March 9, 2012: SK Films of Toronto is pleased to announce that filming was completed on location in Mexico this week for Flight of the Butterflies 3D, SK’s upcoming release for IMAX^® and other Giant Screen theatres worldwide. Mexican President Felipe Calderon visited the set on the last day of filming in the monarch butterfly sanctuary at El Rosario in the State of Michoacan, his home State. His Government and the States of Michoacan and Mexico, are supporting the production and promotion of the film.

This epic natural history story of the monarch butterfly migration was filmed over a year-long period to match the annual migration cycle of the monarchs from Canada, down the U.S. to the remote volcanic mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains in Mexico and back – the longest insect migration on earth.  Shot on location in Toronto, the U.S. and in Mexico, including in the monarch butterfly sanctuaries that were discovered in 1975, our extensive 3D crew was granted permission to film in these now protected and ecologically delicate mountain areas – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The natural history story is interwoven with the scientific detective story of Dr. Fred Urquhart, spanning 80 years from Fred as a curious young boy wondering where the monarchs went each year, to his looking back as an older man on his scientific life of discovery. In terms of period authenticity, our research team and award winning art department undertook meticulous planning in spanning the 80-year time period. The Mexican scenes include local villagers who participated in the Day of the Dead celebration in an existing graveyard, recreated in detail as it was in 1974. Our close-up/macro photography work was undertaken in collaboration with Oscar winner Peter Parks. Canadian icon and revered actor Gordon Pinsent plays Dr. Urquhart and his wife Norah is played by distinguished Canadian actress Patricia Phillips. Shaun Benson plays the dynamic and adventurous Texan, Ken Brugger and his new Mexican bride, Catalina Aguado Brugger is played by rising Mexican star Stephanie Sigman.

It is impossible to describe what it is like to see hundreds of millions of butterflies swirling and floating about, millions more roosting on every available tree trunk and drooping branch in these enchanted forests. There is complete silence except for the sound of millions of fluttering wings. The air is rich with the fresh

scent of the ancient oyamel fir trees. As our actors universally state in the Behind The Scenes interviews about their experience being in this magical place, they were overwhelmed and felt apart of something both spiritual and scientific. The entire cast and crew all share the desire to protect the migratory routes and sanctuaries of these magnificent creatures – a desire shared by the Mexican Federal and State Governments.

The film is an international co-production headed by veteran 3D producer Jonathan Barker of SK Films, with the U.K.’s Mike Slee (SK’s previous release, Bugs 3D!) directing and writing, along with co-writer Wendy MacKeigan.  Mike Slee and Rafael Cuervo are the U.K. and Mexican co-producers.

Many of the words of Dr. Urquhart in the film are from the famous 1976 National Geographic article published shortly after the discovery, from his subsequent book and from extensive radio interviews. The only surviving member of the discovery team, Catalina Aguado Trail, has provided the team with rich and detailed information about her time with the Urquharts and her search with Ken, as well as guidance to the actress portraying her.

The project has major financial support from the National Science Foundation, with our extensive Educational Outreach Program being created by our education partner The Maryland Science Center with the participation of The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. The world’s top monarch butterfly experts, including Dr. Chip Taylor, Dr. Karen Oberhauser and Dr. Lincoln Brower, are serving as our scientific advisors.

Additional support has come from two of the most important companies in Mexico – Coca-Cola FEMSA, and Grupo Bimbo (the world’s largest baked goods company).

It is important to the production team and the film’s funders that a significant portion of the profits go towards monarch butterfly conservation through Mexico’s most significant conservation organization, Fondo Mexicano para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza.

Flight of the Butterflies will premiere in September of 2012. Additional release details will follow.

About SK Films: SK Films Inc. is a Toronto-based, multi-platform entertainment content provider and a leader in 3D film production and distribution. The company was founded in 1998 together with the late Robert Kerr, the visionary co-founder of IMAX Corporation.

For further information:

Amber Hawtin, ahawtin@skfilms.ca, 416-367-0440, ext. 3033

What are the problems and where will the solutions come from? The next generation takes us on the search. Water is a finite resource and it defines us and our planet. The Water Brothers’ journey of adventure, discovery and transformation will become the journey of all youth around the world.

The goal of the series is to bring awareness and interesting information to the viewer on the diverse subject of water through the eyes of two brothers in their early twenties, two appealing guys who lead full and fun lives and who want to inspire the audience to learn more. Visit the full website, to learn more, to watch episodes online across Canada at thewaterbrothers.ca and to download Quench, their free water-finding app!