National Geographic Channel to Host 50 Voter Registration Events and Screenings of Leonardo Dicaprio's 'BEFORE THE FLOOD' Doc at U.S Colleges
21st Century Fox Social Impact
In a release tied to National Voter Registration Day on September 27, 21st Century Fox's National Geographic Channel has announced a dynamic new partnership with Rock the Vote and theSkimm to educate new voters about climate change ahead of this year's U.S. Presidential Election. At more than 50 college campuses nationwide, Nat Geo will host screenings of its new documentary Before the Flood, Leonardo DiCaprio's personal journey detailing the effects of climate change on the planet. The screenings will double as voter registration events, engaging Americans to exercise their right to vote. Before the Flood will also premiere on the National Geographic Channel on Sunday, October 30, in 171 countries and 45 languages.
"Climate change is the most critical and urgent problem facing our world today, and it must be a top issue for voters this Election Day," DiCaprio said. "Fisher [Stevens, Academy Award®-winning director] and I set out to make a film that not only educates people about the challenges we face if we fail to act, but one which also shows the solutions we can implement if we find the political will to do so... Bringing this film to college campuses is a key component to engaging young voters to hold our leaders accountable."
Before the Flood follows DiCaprio as he travels to five continents and the Arctic to document the devastating effects climate change is already having on our communities and ecosystems. Throughout the film, he speaks with top scientists, activists, and local residents, as well as world leaders such as President Barack Obama, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Indian political activist Sunita Narain, and more.
"Through this tour, we hope to register at least 50,000 students to vote and ensure they are informed on the dire need for action to fight climate change," added Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Global Networks. "We share Leo and Fisher's passion for this issue, and this college tour marks the beginning of our aggressive plans to make sure as many people as possible can see this important film."
Through the partnership with Rock the Vote and theSkimm, each screening on the tour will double as a voter registration event. Audiences will be encouraged to register to vote online at rtvote.com/beforetheflood or by texting "BeforeTheFlood" or "BTF" to RTVOTE (788-683). In addition, Skimmbassadors, representatives of the millennial-focused online newsletter, will be on site to register new voters and share their voters' guide. theSkimm has also established theskimm.com/vote as a microsite dedicated to online voter registration.
"theSkimm is nonpartisan. We don't care who you vote for, but we're making sure there are no excuses when it comes to getting out and voting in this election," said Carly Zakin, co-founder and co-CEO, theSkimm.
In addition to the college tour, Before the Flood will screen at the White House on Oct. 3 as part of the South by South Lawn event. It will open in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Oct. 21 and will premiere on the National Geographic Channel on Sunday, October 30.
