Our thanks to Thomas Thorspecken from Analog Artist Digital World for a beautiful drawing, capturing the Florida film premiere of Conquering Kilimanjaro!
A downloadable media kit, featuring a film synopsis, biographies on the featured characters and more, is available at this link.
Conquering Kilimanjaro Documentary to Make National Television Debut on RLTV, Presented by LIVESTRONG
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For LIVESTRONG: Andrew Tanker
512.236.8820
512.279.8456
press@livestrong.org
For Bolder Broadcasting: Katy Widrick
407.362.8237
katy@boldermediagroup.com
LIVESTRONG & Bolder Broadcasting Announce National Television Debut of Conquering Kilimanjaro
RLTV to Air Film Chronicling Cancer Survivors Inspirational Climb to “Roof of Africa”
AUSTIN, Texas/Orlando, Florida – September 1
For the first time on national television, Conquering Kilimanjaro shares the journey that combines one of the world’s greatest mountains, one of the world’s greatest mountaineers and one of the world’s greatest causes into one of the world’s greatest adventures!
Conquering Kilimanjaro is a feature-length documentary by Marc Middleton, which follows world-renowned mountaineer Chris Warner as he leads 16 cancer survivors and advocates to the 19,341-foot frozen summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Presented by LIVESTRONG, the film will air on RLTV’s national audience in primetime, on:
- September 10 at 8:30pm
- September 13 at 9:30pm
(local listings are available at http://rl.tv)
Each airing will be preceded by a special 30-minute episode of Growing Bolder, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the climb, the film and some never-before-seen clips of what it took to beat the odds and get all 16 team members to the summit at the same time.
Filmmaker and Bolder Broadcasting CEO Marc Middleton says RLTV’s inspirational network is a perfect fit for Conquering Kilimanjaro. “Our film is about the power of love and importance of family and friends. It’s about ordinary people achieving something extraordinary and is an inspirational shout-out to anyone who has faced or is facing a major challenge in their lives. We’re grateful to RLTV for making these two national primetime airings possible.”
“RLTV is proud to be airing the national cable premiere of this important, timely film whose inspiring message will resonate with all of our viewers,” said Brittany Yoder, RLTV’s Senior Manager of Programming.
The film is presented by LIVESTRONG and proceeds from all screenings and DVD sales support the work of the LIVESTRONG Foundation which provides free direct services to help people affected by cancer now.
Exclusive clips, video from the Austin premiere, climber bios and the special edition DVD are available at http://ConqueringKilimanjaro.com.
# # #
About the LIVESTRONG Foundation
The LIVESTRONG Foundation fights to improve the lives of people affected by cancer now. For 18 years, the Foundation has been a voice for cancer survivors and has directly served more than three million people. LIVESTRONG answers survivors’ questions, tells their stories and helps them live their lives through direct service, advocacy and inventive partnership models. In 2014, the Foundation launched its boldest enterprise yet—the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes at the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. The Institutes will be a pioneering approach to patient-centered cancer care designed by survivors to deliver the best teaching practices and the greatest collaborative research to serve the cancer community.
About Survivor Summit
The mission of Survivor Summit Foundation is to lead cancer survivors and their supporters on life altering journeys, inspiring them and the community at large to challenge the mental and physical boundaries associated with cancer. As a unique partnered event with LIVESTRONG, Survivor Summit raises money to support the LIVESTRONG Foundation while raising awareness about cancer survivorship. For more information, visit SurvivorSummit.org.
About Bolder Broadcasting
Bolder Broadcasting, Inc., is one of the world leaders in wellness and inspirational lifestyle content creation and delivery across all major media platforms. It producer documentaries under its Bolder Docs brand and its additional products include the Growing Bolder TV show, Growing Bolder radio, the Surviving & Thriving TV show, Growing Bolder Magazine and a network of community websites anchored by GrowingBolder.com.
About Marc Middleton
Marc Middleton is Founder and CEO of Bolder Broadcasting. A veteran news and sports anchor and
multiple Emmy Award-winning reporter, Marc left TV news in 2006 to start Bolder Broadcasting, Inc. and Growing Bolder. One of the leading voices in the active lifestyle movement, Marc is the co-host of the Growing Bolder TV and Radio Shows, Executive Producer of Surviving & Thriving, Editor of Growing Bolder Magazine, Author of Rock Stars of Aging, 50 Ways to Live to 100, Lifestyle Secrets of Centenarians, a featured blogger on the Huffington Post and speaks regularly on positive aging, marketing to boomers, and the power of storytelling. Marc directed, shot, wrote and narrated Conquering Kilimanjaro.
About RLTV
The only cable network and online destination created specifically for adults 50+, RLTV (www.rl.tv) offers unique, inspiring programming that focuses on topics that matter to Generation 50+, from relationships, reinvention, rediscovering passions and retirement, to finances, health, and current events. At RLTV, it’s all about rethinking life for 50+. RLTV. Experience Matters.
LIVESTRONG & Bolder Broadcasting Present Special Edition of Conquering Kilimanjaro
For LIVESTRONG: Andrew Tanker
512.236.8820
512.279.8456
press@livestrong.org
For Bolder Broadcasting: Katy Widrick
407.362.8237
katy@boldermediagroup.com
LIVESTRONG & Bolder Broadcasting Present Special Edition of Conquering Kilimanjaro
Film Chronicles Cancer Survivors Inspirational Climb to “Roof of Africa”
AUSTIN, Texas/FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – April 30, 2015 –What do you get when you combine one of the world’s greatest mountains, one of the world’s greatest mountaineers and one of the world’s greatest causes? The world’s greatest adventure!
Conquering Kilimanjaro is a 54-minute documentary by Marc Middleton, which follows world-renowned mountaineer Chris Warner as he leads 16 cancer survivors and advocates to the 19,341-foot frozen summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
“This film is designed to be both an inspiration and a call to action. Viewers are moved to ask, ‘What can I do?’” said filmmaker and Bolder Broadcasting CEO, Marc Middleton. “The answer is simple — spread the word by sharing the film and spread the hope by supporting LIVESTRONG. This partnership makes both very easy.”
Bolder Broadcasting has created a special LIVESTRONG edition of the film with links to information about LIVESTRONG and its free direct services for cancer patients and survivors. “Together we want to make Conquering Kilimanjaro widely available both for private and public screenings and to television stations and broadcast networks worldwide,” Middleton added.
“Conquering Kilimanjaro captures the essence of the cancer journey,” said Ellen Barry, LIVESTRONG Foundation vice president of strategic communication. “The fear, the need to ask for help, the importance of family, friends and faith are all explored. Marc and his team did an amazing job of displaying survivors’ courage as they face the challenges of both the mountain and their cancer.”
Conquering Kilimanjaro has been screened for audiences in Austin, Orlando, and Houston and broadcast on WKMG, the CBS affiliate in Orlando. Proceeds from all screenings and DVD sales will support the work of the LIVESTRONG Foundation which provides free direct services to help people affected by cancer now.
Exclusive clips, video from the Austin premiere, climber bios and the special edition DVD are available at http://ConqueringKilimanjaro.com.
Download a copy of this news release here.
# # #
About the LIVESTRONG Foundation
The LIVESTRONG Foundation fights to improve the lives of people affected by cancer now. For 18 years, the Foundation has been a voice for cancer survivors and has directly served more than three million people. LIVESTRONG answers survivors’ questions, tells their stories and helps them live their lives through direct service, advocacy and inventive partnership models. In 2014, the Foundation launched its boldest enterprise yet—the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes at the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. The Institutes will be a pioneering approach to patient-centered cancer care designed by survivors to deliver the best teaching practices and the greatest collaborative research to serve the cancer community.
About Survivor Summit
The mission of Survivor Summit Foundation is to lead cancer survivors and their supporters on life altering journeys, inspiring them and the community at large to challenge the mental and physical boundaries associated with cancer. As a unique partnered event with LIVESTRONG, Survivor Summit raises money to support the LIVESTRONG Foundation while raising awareness about cancer survivorship. For more information, visit SurvivorSummit.org.
About Bolder Broadcasting
Bolder Broadcasting, Inc., is one of the world leaders in wellness and inspirational lifestyle content creation and delivery across all major media platforms. It producer documentaries under its Bolder Docs brand and its additional products include the Growing Bolder TV show, Growing Bolder radio, the Surviving & Thriving TV show, Growing Bolder Magazine and a network of community websites anchored by GrowingBolder.com.
About Marc Middleton
Marc Middleton is Founder and CEO of Bolder Broadcasting. A veteran news and sports anchor and multiple Emmy Award-winning reporter, Marc left TV news in 2006 to start Bolder Broadcasting, Inc. and Growing Bolder. One of the leading voices in the active lifestyle movement, Marc is the co-host of the Growing Bolder TV and Radio Shows, Executive Producer of Surviving & Thriving, Editor of Growing Bolder Magazine, Author of Rock Stars of Aging, 50 Ways to Live to 100, Lifestyle Secrets of Centenarians, a featured blogger on the Huffington Post and speaks regularly on positive aging, marketing to boomers, and the power of storytelling. Marc directed, shot, wrote and narrated Conquering Kilimanjaro.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of Conquering Kilimanjaro
We’re proud to present this very special edition of our daily show, Growing Bolder, to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the making of “Conquering Kilimanjaro.”
In this 30-minute special, we show you why Growing Bolder Founder and CEO Marc Middleton chose to say yes to this adventure to not only climb the mountain but to shoot a film along the way, even though, at 62, he was the oldest member of the team. He came back with the footage and wrote, narrated and directed this testament to the power of love. In this show, you’ll hear from Marc, as well as from Growing Bolder’s Michael Nanus, who edited and co-produced the film. It’s a fascinating look at the story behind the story.
Marc Middleton on the Orlando Waterhole Podcast
Marc Middleton joined Ben Reed on the Orlando Waterhole podcast to talk about the Conquering Kilimanjaro documentary, GrowingBolder.com and his view on the opportunities that the age wave presents all of us.
Click here to listen!
Conquering Kilimanjaro Documentary Premieres to Rave Reviews From a Sold-Out Orlando Audience
Event’s “Stand Up For Wendy Chioji” celebration raises $2,730 for the LIVESTRONG Foundation
More than 500 people packed Full Sail Live on December 3, 2014, rising to their feet to celebrate Bolder Docs’ first film, Conquering Kilimanjaro, which tells the inspirational story of 16 cancer survivors and advocates’ attempt to summit the world’s tallest free-standing mountain.
Filmmaker Marc Middleton welcomed the sold-out crowd and announced the theme of the night: love.
“Without love for one another, and a love for the journey, our climbing group would have been doomed from the start. We decided, early on, that we’d all make it to the top or none would,” said Middleton. “And that’s a message that’s just as powerful tonight, in this room, as it was at 20,000 feet. We must love each other. We must care for others more than we care for ourselves. We must remember that everyone is facing a difficult road, and be kind.”
Orlando’s Ambassador of Love Donna Dowless echoed the sentiment in her original blessing, offered to the crowd just before the city of Winter Park presented an official proclamation deeming December 3 as Wendy Chioji Day.
Following the film’s Florida premiere, Middleton, Chioji and editor Mike Nanus answered questions about the documentary, and Wendy updated the crowd on her ongoing cancer battle.
Chioji, a breast cancer survivor, is fighting recurrent thymic carcinoma and has just entered a clinical trial for the rare and aggressive form of the disease. She told the crowd that her experience in navigating entry to this treatment — an often frustrating and confusing process — has inspired her to work to bring better resources and support to other cancer patients and survivors, so they can focus on recovery, not on research.
“All of us have a limited amount of time here — it’s too short for most of us,” said Chioji. “It is your responsibility and it should be your great joy to live as big, as out-of-bounds and as adventurously as you possibly can. Be great every day. You only get once chance. Live fearlessly.”
Chioji credits the LIVESTRONG Foundation for not only supporting her cancer journey, but in helping the millions of patients, survivors and families worldwide, and in her name, Bolder Broadcasting, producer of Conquering Kilimanjaro, has made a $2,730 donation to LIVESTRONG. The donation comes from a portion of proceeds raised in ticket and merchandise sales at the Orlando premiere, and 20% of all DVD sales will continue to be donated to LIVESTRONG.
The crowd ended the evening with a standing ovation and rave reviews for the film:
- “I think your very special documentary will inspire people with cancer, as well as those surrounding and supporting them, by giving them the ‘freedom to live strong.’ Just think of all the people you will give new hope to as they struggle with the big “C.”
- “I haven’t cried in a film like that in a long time. It was so incredibly moving and brought me to my knees emotionally. Thank you Marc and crew for such an awesome movie and to the Kili climbers. I am so inspired and touched and moved by every single one of you.”
- “I just don’t know if I can find the words to express how moved I was last night seeing the turnout AND the documentary. Every bit of it was extraordinary and inspirational.”
More information about the premiere, including additional media coverage from the evening, is available at http://www.conqueringkilimanjaro.com/orlando-florida-premiere/.
Bolder Docs Presents The Florida Premiere of Conquering Kilimanjaro and Stand Up For Wendy Celebration at Full Sail Live
WHAT: The Florida Premiere of the Documentary Film Conquering Kilimanjaro and Stand Up For Wendy Celebration
WHEN:
6:30 VIP Reception with Cast
7:00 Doors Open
7:15 Press Availability
7:45 Screening Begins
WHERE:
Full Sail Live
141 University Park Drive
Winter Park, FL 32792
WHO: Filmmaker Marc Middleton, Climber and Guest of Honor Wendy Chioji, Full Sail University President Garry Jones, Winter Park Mayor Ken Bradley, Executive Producer and Climber Dr. Robert Masson, Climbers Bree and Stephen Sandlin, Robert Sergent, and LIVESTRONG CEO Doug Ulman, Executive Producers Bill Shafer, Katy Widrick and Jackie Carlin. Additional guests to be announced.
Please join us on the campus of Full Sail University at Full Sail Live, the university’s state-of-the-art performance venue for a special red carpet film premiere of Conquering Kilimanjaro, the first feature-length documentary from the Emmy Award-winning team at Bolder Broadcasting. Conquering Kilimanjaro follows an inspiring group of 16 cancer survivors and cancer community advocates as they attempt to climb the world’s highest freestanding mountain in Tanzania, Africa. Conquering Kilimanjaro celebrates the irrepressible nature of the human spirit, providing hope and inspiration to every family in America.
Wendy Chioji, a Central Florida news anchor who beat breast cancer in 2001, was part of the climb just weeks after completing radiation and chemotherapy for thymic carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The cancer has now returned and Wendy has been accepted into a clinical trial that offers new hope. “Wendy will beat this like she beat breast cancer,” says Conquering Kilimanjaro filmmaker Marc Middleton. ”But we want to pause for a moment and make certain that she understands how much she means to so many. Wendy has always been about providing hope and inspiration to others and we want to return the favor. We’re asking Central Florida to Stand Up For Wendy on December 3rd. The night will include a special tribute and we’re donating a portion of the proceeds to LIVESTRONG in Wendy’s name.”
“We’re honored to serve as the host location for the Florida premiere of Conquering Kilimanjaro at Full Sail Live,” says Garry Jones, President of Full Sail University. “Any time we have the opportunity to screen an important and impactful film on campus, honor someone like Wendy Chioji who means so much to the Central Florida Community, and help support the fight to defeat cancer, we’re both humbled and proud to participate. It’s going to be an amazing night!”
Click here to watch the full theatrical trailer for the film and click here to purchase tickets to the event. A limited number of media passes are also available. To obtain press credentials, schedule interviews, obtain high-resolution photos from the climb, or for any other requests please see contact details below.
About Bolder Broadcasting
Bolder Broadcasting is among the world leaders in wellness and active lifestyle content creation and delivery across all major media platforms. Its products include the Growing Bolder TV show, the Growing Bolder radio show, the Surviving & Thriving TV show, Growing Bolder Magazine, a network of community websites anchored by GrowingBolder.com, and its newest venture, Bolder Docs, a documentary film unit dedicated to producing films that change lives.
About Full Sail University:
Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in the entertainment and media industry. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has been recognized as one of the 2014 “Top 25 Graduate Schools to Study Game Design” by The Princeton Review, one of the Best Music Programs by Rolling Stone Magazine, and one of the Best Film Programs by UNleashed Magazine. Full Sail was named the 2014 “School/College of the Year” by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, received the “21st Century Best Practices in Distance Learning Award” from the United States Distance Learning Association, and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Social Media Colleges by Studentadvisor.com.
Full Sail offers on-campus and online Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree programs in areas related to Art & Design, Business, Film & Television, Games, Media & Communications, Music & Recording, and Web & Technology. Full Sail graduate credits include work on OSCAR®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, ADDY®, MTV Video Music Award, and Spike VGX Video Game Award nominated and winning projects.
www.fullsail.edu
www.twitter.com/fullsail
www.facebook.com/fullsailuniversity
###
Contacts:
Katy Widrick: Katy@BolderMediaGroup.com
Jackie Carlin: Jackie@BolderMediaGroup.com
Casey Tanous: Ctanous@fullsail.com
Wayne Gratz to Compose Score for Conquering Kilimanjaro Film
Orlando, Fla. (June 25, 2014) Bolder Broadcasting, Inc. is pleased to announce that multi-talented pianist-composer Wayne Gratz will provide an original score for the upcoming documentary film, Conquering Kilimanjaro.
“This is a tremendous match,” says Marc Middleton, the film’s Executive Producer. “Wayne is an incredible talent whose music celebrates the soaring human spirit, which is what our film is all about.”
“I’m honored to have been selected for this important project,” says Gratz. “My best work has always been inspired by extraordinary souls, and when I learned about Conquering Kilimanjaro and what happened on that mountain, I immediately wanted to score the film.”
Gratz has always been a favorite of the critics.
“His compositions gracefully blend classical and rock elements for a middle ground that never compromises its spirit.” —Billboard Magazine
“An affecting pianist-composer long deserving of broader recognition, Wayne Gratz continues to specialize in stately, reflective expressions of the soul.” —Terry Wood, Amazon.com Editorial Reviews
“A master of turning a simple musical phrase into a meaningful and poignant message.” —Kathy Parsons, Mainly Piano
Gratz has released 16 albums over his career, including five that he recorded and produced under his own label, Wayne Gratz Music. In addition, his music has been featured on video segments during the Olympic Games, NBC television specials, Thomas Kinkade’s DVD and in numerous other television and radio advertisements.
Conquering Kilimanjaro is the first film from Bolder Broadcasting’s Bolder Docs. “We wanted to make a commitment to produce documentaries that have the power to change people’s lives,” says Middleton. “And this is a great beginning. The film tells an amazing story and is being edited by multiple Emmy Award-winner Michael Nanus and scored by Wayne Gratz. That’s pretty cool.”
Conquering Kilimanjaro tells the story of Survivor Summit 2014, a team of cancer survivors and cancer care advocates determined to reach the summit of Tanzania, Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s highest freestanding mountain, to send a message of hope and inspiration to the 32 million cancer survivors worldwide.
The expedition was led by Chris Warner, a renowned mountaineer who is one of only nine Americans to summit both Everest and K2. Cancer survivors featured in Conquering Kilimanjaro include Doug Ulman from Austin, Texas, a three-time cancer survivor and CEO of the LIVESTRONG Foundation; Wendy Chioji from Park City, Utah, a two-time cancer survivor and former TV news anchor who is now an Ironman triathlete and ski guide; Bree Sandlin from Katy, Texas, a Shell Oil marketing executive and mother; and Jeremy Jungling, a Business Manager for US Environmental and a running coach from Jackson, Mississippi.
“Something happened on that mountain that is almost unexplainable,” says Ulman. “Stripped of the comforts of home and thrown into a situation that became increasingly difficult with each passing day, we learned that we are much stronger than we thought and that our individual strength can be multiplied many times by the love and support of those around us.”
“The film will make its TV debut in Orlando, Florida, late this summer and we’re screening it for the LIVESTRONG community in Austin, Texas, in October,” says Middleton. “After that, we plan to distribute it nationwide and make it available on DVD. We’ll donate $10 from every DVD sold to LIVESTRONG.”
To learn more about Wayne Gratz and his music, visit WayneGratz.com and check out this video profile from Growing Bolder’s Bill Shafer:
The Survivor Summit Foundation was founded by brothers Mike King, Paul King, Brian King and Dr. Matt King and friend, Chris Callahan. Its mission is to lead cancer survivors and their supporters on life-altering journeys, inspiring them and the community at large to challenge the mental and physical boundaries associated with cancer. As a unique partnered event with LIVESTRONG, Survivor Summit raises money to support the LIVESTRONG Foundation while raising awareness about cancer survivorship. For more information: SurvivorSummit.org
LIVESTRONG Foundation
The LIVESTRONG Foundation empowers the cancer community to address the unmet needs of cancer survivors. LIVESTRONG works to identify the issues faced by cancer survivors in order to comprehensively improve quality of life for members of the global cancer community. LIVESTRONG believes that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. For more information: LIVESTRONG.org
Bolder Broadcasting
Bolder Broadcasting is among the world leaders in wellness and active lifestyle content creation and delivery across multiple platforms. Its products include the Growing Bolder TV show, the Growing Bolder radio show, the Surviving & Thriving TV show, Growing Bolder Magazine and a network of community websites, anchored by GrowingBolder.com.
