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World Premiere of “Bill Nye: Science Guy” Film at SXSW Film Festival

LightSail® Story, Carl Sagan’s Influence Part of Planetary Society CEO’s Story

Media Advisory
March 10, 2017

Contact
Erin Greeson
Phone: +1-626-793-5100

WHO:

Directed by David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg
Featuring Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ann Druyan, Francis Collins

WHAT:

World premiere of “Bill Nye: Science Guy” film

Synopsis: Bill Nye is retiring his kid show act in a bid to become more like his late professor, astronomer Carl Sagan. Sagan dreamed of launching a spacecraft that could change interplanetary exploration. Bill sets out to accomplish Sagan’s space mission, but he is pulled away when he is challenged by evolution and climate change contrarians to defend the scientific consensus. Can Bill show the world why science matters in a culture increasingly indifferent to evidence?

WHERE:

SXSW 2017 Film Festival, Austin, Texas, U.S.A.

WHEN:

Screenings:
World Premiere: Sunday, March 12 at 6:45 p.m. (Vimeo Theater)
Public Screening #2: Tuesday, March 14 at 5:30 p.m. (Alamo Lamar E)
Public Screening #3: Wednesday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m (Stateside Theater)
Acquisition Title/WME
Section: Documentary Spotlight

PRESS RESOURCES:

Film: “Bill Nye: Science Guy” details:
http://billnyefilm.com/

Bios:
Filmmakers: David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg: http://billnyefilm.com/filmmakers/
Bill Nye: http://www.planetary.org/about/staff/bill-nye.html

LightSail spacecraft videos, images, news and fact sheets for reporting purposes:
http://www.planetary.org/press-room/lightsail/
http://sail.planetary.org/

Bill Nye describes Carl Sagan; Sagan on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson, 1976:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cEXKu_Onlk

Contacts:

  • The Film: Please email [email protected] with “Bill Nye: Science Guy” film interview requests
  • LightSail: Please email [email protected] with inquiries about the LightSail spacecraft and Bill Nye’s role as Planetary Society CEO.

About The Planetary Society

The Planetary Society is the world's largest and most influential space interest organization. Founded in 1980 by astronomer Carl Sagan with Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit is led today by CEO Jenn Vaughn and championed by Chief Ambassador Bill Nye. Members and donors fund programs in science and technology, public outreach, and advocacy. This work advances the exploration of space, the search for life beyond Earth, and the defense of our planet from dangerous asteroids and comets. Learn more at planetary.org.

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