Washington, D.C. — The star of the classic 1966 wildlife film Born Free, Virginia McKenna OBE, will be the special guest at this year’s 6th San Francisco Green Film Festival on its closing night, April 20. The actress is one of the world’s leading wildlife conservation leaders, and co-founder of Born Free USA and Born Free Foundation. This will be her first visit to the U.S. from the U.K as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the film and Born Free’s 2016 Year of the Lion campaign.[teaserbreak]
In the film Born Free, McKenna and her late husband, Bill Travers, played real-life husband and wife, George and Joy Adamson, and told the story of their efforts to return an orphaned lion cub, Elsa, to the wild. Born Free, based on Joy Adamson’s bestselling book, is regarded as the first mainstream Hollywood film to spotlight a conservation issue. Upon the film’s release, the story of Elsa captured hearts around the globe and is regarded by many as the start of a new approach to wild animals which recognized each one as an individual in need of protection.
The film is being shown at the 6th Green Film Festival as part of its ‘Keep It Wild’ theme, where McKenna will be presented with the Inspiring Lives Award for her efforts on behalf of wild animal welfare and species conservation.
Rachel Caplan, founder of the San Francisco Green Film Festival, said, “We are so honored that Virginia will be here for the screening. It is going to be a very special event. Born Free struck a chord with so many—not just the audience who saw it at the time, but generation after generation since then, too. We wanted to mark its 50th anniversary as well as highlight the plight of lions who are still in danger today, like the trophy shooting of Cecil in Zimbabwe last year. The film really is a must for cat-lovers, big and small.”
In 1984, together with their son, Will, McKenna and Travers founded their wildlife charity. Today, Born Free Foundation and Born Free USA are global leaders in wildlife conservation and animal welfare. The groups strive to prevent the suffering of wild animals exploited in captivity and protect threatened species in their natural habitats. Their mission is to keep wildlife in the wild.
With the listing of African lions under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in late 2015, the film’s heart-warming story is even more relevant today—and its impact has reached far and wide. President Barack Obama said, “I think I may have teared up at the end (of Born Free) when they release Elsa. I couldn’t have been more than four or five.”
McKenna said, “I am extremely honored to have been invited to attend the San Francisco Green Film Festival, and thrilled that the film has been chosen to close this wonderful event. It is a unique story about two extraordinary people and an equally unforgettable lioness. But, it is almost impossible to believe that half a century has passed since the film was released! It was a film that changed our lives forever and introduced us to the fascinating and increasingly vulnerable world of wildlife. Together with my son, Will, who is traveling with me, I very much look forward to meeting you all and I am sure, for us, it will be one of the highlights of this special anniversary year.”
This red-carpet event will include a VIP reception and special screening of a stunning new 4k digital restoration of Born Free courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment. McKenna and her son, Will, President of Born Free Foundation, will explore the issues further in conversation with the audience after the screening.
The festival, running Thursday, April 14 through Wednesday, April 20, comes to a conclusion just before Earth Day on April 22. More than 4,000 attendees are expected at the 60 film screenings, workshops, and parties across seven days.
Tickets for the screening of Born Free at the Green Film Festival’s closing night on April 20 are now on sale.
Find out more about the 6th Green Film Festival, which takes place at the Castro Theatre, the Roxie Theatre, Koret Auditorium at the San Francisco Public Library Main Branch, and several venues in Berkeley.
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son, Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com