Film screening: Antarctica – The Giant Awakens
National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Cct, Acton ACT
20 July 2024
WCC has great pleasure in hosting the important film Antarctica - The Giant Awakens, by award-winning social entrepreneur and documentary-maker, Liz Courtney. One of more than 55 documentaries Liz has written and directed, Antarctica - The Giant Awakens was created while Liz was Artist in Residence at the the Earth Observatory of Singapore. Subsequently she has received Global awards from Women Changing the World for her work in Media and in Science, Tech and Engineering.
The documentary follows a team of female climate scientists on a mission to Antarctica led by Professor Benjamin Horton, Director of The Earth Observatory of Singapore and one of the world’s leading experts in sea-level rise.
Accompanied by renowned Director of Photography Michael Dillon AM and with a special drone licence for aerial photography, the team is shown conducting innovative scientific research and providing critical insights into the pace of Antarctica's rapid melt and its implications for the region. Despite Antarctica's geographical distance from the tropical landscapes of Australia, Oceania, and Asia, the rapidly changing Antarctic ice sheet presents a significant danger to these regions, with potential global implications.
The awe-inspiring scenery and scientific implications bring great emotional depth to the film but, as Liz says, the message is ultimately one of hope - ‘through the voices of the younger generation that are in this film - they talk about the fact that we need action. Without action there is not hope and without hope there is not action - so these 2 things have to work together, and how we can all be part of the solution’ (Liz Courtney, ABC Radio Canberra, ‘Afternoons’, Wed 10 July, 2024)
At this special screening in the surroundings of the National Film and Sound Archive, the film will be introduced by Liz Courtney and Professor Dorrit Jacob (Director, ANU Research School of Earth Sciences). After the film, Liz Courtney, Dr Mark Hoggard and other ANU researcher/s (TBC) in the areas of climate and oceans will explore with WCC Founder Dr Janet Salisbury the impact of climate change on frozen lands and how women leaders are taking this important discussion forward.