Photo credit: www.nasa.gov
NASA Set to Showcase “Planetary Defenders” at Sundance Film Festival
NASA is gearing up to unveil its upcoming documentary, “Planetary Defenders,” at the Sundance Film Festival, marking the agency’s inaugural participation in this renowned event. The documentary, slated for a spring 2025 premiere on NASA’s streaming platform, is designed to provide viewers with a deep dive into the crucial field of asteroid detection and planetary defense.
“We’re excited to take part in the Sundance Film Festival, a venue known for its creativity and innovation,” remarked Brittany Brown, director of the NASA Office of Communications Digital and Technology Division. “This is a unique opportunity for NASA to connect with the film industry, fostering collaboration and storytelling that can inspire future generations about space exploration.”
The documentary raises an urgent question: What would our response be if we identified an asteroid on a collision course with Earth? “Planetary Defenders” offers a real-world perspective, showcasing the work of scientists and experts dedicated to monitoring celestial threats to our planet.
Rebecca Sirmons, general manager of NASA+, commented on the agency’s mission to share its stories: “NASA has a wealth of incredible narratives, and our new platform, NASA+, is committed to sharing these tales to inspire the next generation of explorers.” She emphasized the significance of the Sundance panel, titled “You Bet Your Asteroid: NASA Has a Story to Tell,” scheduled for January 26 at 1:30 p.m. MST at the Filmmaker Lodge in Park City, Utah.
This panel will feature an engaging discussion about the documentary followed by a Q&A session where attendees can interact with NASA experts and some of the key figures featured in the film.
Panelists will include:
- Rebecca Sirmons, head of NASA+, NASA
- Scott Bednar, filmmaker and director, NASA 360/National Institute of Aerospace
- Jessie Wilde, filmmaker and director, NASA 360/National Institute of Aerospace
- Dr. Kelly Fast, acting planetary defense officer, NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office
- David Rankin, senior survey operations specialist, Catalina Sky Survey
- Dr. Vishnu Reddy, professor of planetary sciences and director of the Space4 Center, University of Arizona
Members of the media are invited to RSVP and may also request individual interviews with NASA experts post-panel by reaching out to Karen Fox at her provided email.
Through its platform, NASA+, the agency continues to share live events and original programming that showcase its ongoing efforts to enhance life on Earth through scientific advancement and exploration. The service is available for free, on-demand, across various major platforms including mobile devices and media streaming players like Roku and Apple TV.
For updates and further information on NASA’s planetary defense initiatives, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/planetarydefense
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Source
www.nasa.gov