Walt Disney Studios Monday unveiled a new film label that will specifically produce nature documentaries, with one of the first film projects titled "Earth" and set for release on Earth Day 2009.
Disneynature will be based in France, and will work with the world's top documentary filmmakers to explore wildlife and nature around the planet, company officials said.
"Our goal is for Disneynature to offer event films that will appeal to everyone who is captivated by the grandeur of nature and the wonder of great filmmaking," said Dick Cook, Walt Disney Studios chairman.
Disneynature will be overseen by Jean-Francois Camilleri, who was previously senior vice president and general manager for Walt Disney Studios Motions Pictures France.
Among the first films that will be released by Disneynature will be "Earth," by British producer-director Alastair Fothergill, whose credits include the "Planet Earth" series for the BBC and The Discovery Channel.
According to Disney, the film, narrated by American actor James Earl Jones, will "take us on a tour of our home planet as we've never seen it before." It is scheduled for release on Earth Day, which falls on April 22, 2009.
Other film projects in the work under the Disneynature label include "Oceans," "The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos," "Orangutans: One Minute to Midnight," "Big Cats" and "Chimpanzee."
(Xinhua News Agency April 22, 2008)
