Antarctica - The Giant Awakens

WCC has great pleasure in hosting the important film Antarctica - The Giant Awakens, by WCC member and 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. 

ABOUT THE FILM
Acclaimed Australian filmmaker Liz Courtney will introduce her film Antarctica - The Giant Awakens, which sheds light on the looming threat of sea level rise. 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 documentary follows a team of young women  scientists on a mission to Antarctica, led by Prof Benjamin Horton, the Director of The Earth Observatory of Singapore.

Accompanied by renowned Australian Director of Photography Michael Dillon AM, the team endeavors to conduct innovative scientific research, providing critical insights into the pace of Antarctica's rapid melt and its implications for the region and around the globe.

Antarctica, nearly twice the size of Australia, holds 75% of the world's fresh water. However, the Antarctic ice sheet, perched on a bedrock base, is now under threat as colossal ice cliffs surrounding the West Antarctic coastline melt and collapse due to rising temperatures in the Southern Ocean, surpassing previous predictive models.

Prof Horton emphasizes the urgency of understanding the mechanisms driving the melting glaciers, the impact on ocean circulation, sea level rise and the importance of partnerships and teamwork to drive scientific discoveries and solutions.

Beautiful drone footage, captivating wildlife, a frozen land of ice and beauty sets an alluring backdrop to one of the world's hidden climate emergencies and poses the question - Is Antarctica Waking Up? 

Although the answer is challenging, Liz says that the message of the film  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*).

ANTARCTICA THE GIANT AWAKENS   Trailer Link:

We invite you for this special Canberra screening in the beautiful surroundings of the Australian 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 (ANU Research School of Earth Sciences) 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. 

This is also an opportunity to make a donation to the important work of Women's Climate Congress, in promoting women's leadership, especially for strong climate action for future generations and the natural world. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. 

* Listen to Liz's Radio interview here (from 2 min 39 sec): https://www.abc.net.au/listen/...