Coral Reef Adventure brings the beauty and mystery of the coral reef environment to the big screen with a film that both celebrates this vital ecosystem and warns of its imminent decline. The film follows the personal journey of two under-water filmmakers, Howard and Michele Hall, on a 10-month expedition across the South Pacific to explore and document some of the world’s most beautiful and endangered coral reefs. Coral reefs may become extinct within 30 years due to global warming, over-fishing and pollution, scientists warn. Coral Reef Adventure is both an emotional account of two extraordinary individuals doing what they can to help save the coral reefs, and an exciting story of drama and adventure. One of the most riveting sequences occurs when Howard Hall takes the IMAX camera down 370 feet to film a deep ocean reef, setting a record for the deepest a diver has taken an IMAX camera in the open ocean.

Major funding provided by the National Science Foundation

Produced and distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films in association with National Wildlife Federation, Museum of Science, Boston, and Lowell, Blake and Associates

In promotional partnership with Quicksliver, SCUBAPRO, Smithsonian Magazine, and ADI/Sport Diver Magazine

Narrated by Liam Neeson

Featuring songs and music recorded by Crosby, Stills & Nash

Educational outreach support provided by NOAA and Reef Check

Runtime: 46 minutes

Format: filmed in 15 perforation/70 mm, 8/70, 10/70, Dome-customized 15/70

For Educators

The Educator Guide includes seven lesson plans cover topics such as ecosystems, symbiosis, and adaptations as well as ocean pressure, density, sedimentation, and even engineering.

Honors and Reviews
  • Best Film of the Year and Best Cinematography – 2003 Giant Screen Theater Association Achievement Awards
  • Best Large Format Film and Merit Awards for Sound Mix, Conservation Message, and Graphics & Animation- 2004 International Wildlife Film Festival
  • CINE Masters Series Award (Best in the Non-Telecast Division) and CINE Golden Eagle Award (Science & Technology category)
  • Best of Festival (Grand Prix) and First Place Gold Camera Award (Oceanography category)  – U.S. International Film & Video Festival
  • Nominated for a Panda Award – 2004 Wildscreen Film Festival
  • 2004 Environmentalist of the Year Award – presented to Greg MacGillivray by SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association)
  • 2006 Award of Excellence – presented to Greg MacGillivray by the Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, CA, for his support of coral reef conservation
  • Official Selection – 2008 Environmental Film Festival, Washington DC
  • The highest grossing new documentary film of 2003

“Both an ethereal manifestation of spectacular beauty and the sobering account of a slow-motion catastrophe…This is a moving and not infrequently breathtaking film. ★★★★ (out of 4)”
– San Diego Union Tribune

“With its deep blue undersea vistas, vivid but delicate corals, and swiftly flashing schools of fish, Coral Reef Adventure is one beautiful piece of work. . . . Adventure it is, and of the most exhilarating sort.”
– Boston Globe

Coral Reef Adventure is the first IMAX movie to challenge the supremacy of Everest…”
– Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“virtually transforms the five-story Omnimax into a giant fishbowl…the underwater scenes are amazing”
– Cincinnati Post

Visit the film website for behind-the-scenes videos, educational materials, and more.

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