PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact Name:  Tim VandeSteeg

Phone: (310) 497-4495

Email: tim@indiewood.net

THREE-LEGGED ELEPHANTS IN “THE EYES OF THAILAND” TO HAVE THEIR MINNESOTA PREMIERE AT THE TWIN CITIES FILM FEST

Ashley Judd narrates the eight-time award-winning documentary “The Eyes of Thailand” about one woman’s quest to help two elephant landmine survivors walk again on prostheses.

LOS ANGELES, CA – (October 4, 2012) – D.V.A. Productions, in Association with Indiewood Pictures, is proud to announce the Minnesota Premiere of the 8-time award-winning and critically acclaimed documentary “The Eyes of Thailand”, narrated by Ashley Judd.

The Film will Premiere at Twin Cities Film Festival on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 5:30pm at the Showplace ICON Theater (1625 West End Boulevard St. Louis Park, MN 5541). The Film is Directed/Produced by Windy Borman and Produced by Tim VandeSteeg, a Minnesota native and Special Guest for the Minnesota Premiere.

Tickets are available now at <http://www.twincitiesfilmfest.org/>.

After losing their legs from stepping on a landmine, two elephant survivors are given a second chance to walk again in this powerful and heartwarming story of sacrifice and perseverance.  ”There are documentaries that make you think, those that make you feel, and then those like ‘Eyes of Thailand,’ that leave you shaken, inspired and unable to see the world the same ever again. We couldn’t be more honored to celebrate a film like this – one of vision, passion and heart. It is cinema at its most electrifying”, said Steve Snyder, Artistic Director at Twin Cities Film Fest.

“The Eyes of Thailand is a story of sacrifice and perseverance that shows how far one woman will go to save an endangered species from threats above and below the surface. I hope it will raise awareness to protect Asian Elephants—and all beings—from the terror of landmines,” said Ashley Judd.

“The Eyes of Thailand” was awarded the “ACE Documentary Film Grant” from The Humane Society of the United States. Jonny Vasic, Director of the ACE program says, “The Eyes of Thailand is an inspiring and unique documentary that will open up hearts and minds about the amazing veterinary work being performed at the Asian Elephant hospital.”

The film received the “Best Documentary” Jury Award at the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival and Soraida Salwala received the “Best Herione in a Wildlife Film” Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival. The film has also garnered Humanitarian, Green, Animal Advocacy and Animation awards since its World Premiere in April 2012 at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

The elephant stars of the film have been capturing the hearts of people worldwide and were featured in National Geographic, Takepart.com, Yahoo, Huffington Post and IndieWire.

“When I met Soraida, Mosha and Motala in 2007, I knew I discovered an untold story that I needed to share with the world.  Witnessing Mosha and Motala take their first steps on their new prostheses was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I cannot wait to share it with the world,” said Director/Producer Windy Borman.

“The Eyes of Thailand” is a story that embodies heart, courage and compassion to make a real difference and improve the lives of others, no matter whatever obstacles stand in your way,” said producer Tim VandeSteeg.

The filmmakers have created a successful and loyal following through the film’s social media sites, including Facebook <www.facebook.com/eyesofthailand> and Twitter <www.twitter.com/eyesofthailand>, and the film’s website <www.eyesofthailand.com>.

For further inquiries, please contact: Tim VandeSteeg tim@indiewood.com

PRESS RELEASE

Mines Action Canada and D.V.A. Productions (San Francisco), in association with Indiewood Pictures, are proud to announce the Canadian Premiere of “The Eyes of Thailand” at the One World Film Festival in Ottawa, Ontario. The film will open the festival with a screening on Thursday, October 11, at 6:30pm at the Library and Archives (395 Wellington Ave) and a Q & A with Director/Producer Windy Borman will follow. Tickets can be purchased online at: http://bit.ly/TM5spQ or through Mines Action Canada’s donation page www.indiegogo.com/EOTtoOttawa .

“The Eyes of Thailand” is directed/produced by Windy Borman and produced by Tim VandeSteeg. The 8-time award-winning documentary, narrated by Ashley Judd, tells the heartwarming and heroic true story of Soraida Salwala, a passionate woman who dedicated 10 years of her life to help two Asian elephants walk again after losing their legs in landmine incidents.

Judd writes, “The Eyes of Thailand is a story of sacrifice and perseverance that shows how far one woman will go to save an endangered species from threats above and below the surface. I hope it will raise awareness to protect Asian Elephants—and all beings—from the terror of landmines.”

Mines Action Canada is thrilled to partner with One World Film Festival to bring “The Eyes of Thailand” to Canada during the 20th anniversary of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Paul Hannon, Executive Director said “This film demonstrates the indiscriminate nature of landmines and how in mine affected areas no one is safe until all the mines are cleared. Windy Borman graduated from our Youth Leaders training in 2010 during the filming of ‘The Eyes of Thailand’ and now that the film is finished we’re very excited to help One World Film Festival and Windy share this story with Canadians.”

Borman became involved in the landmine issue after meeting Soraida, Mosha and Motala in Thailand and seeing their journey from landmine victims to survivors. “Witnessing Mosha and Motala take their first steps on their new prostheses was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I cannot wait to share it with Canada – a country known for its leadership in the movement to ban landmines. I hope the film will serve as a reminder that there is still work to be done to eradicate landmines so that all beings can walk without fear” said Borman.

“The Eyes of Thailand” was awarded the “ACE Documentary Film Grant” from The Humane Society of the United States and the “Best Documentary” Jury Award from the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival. Salwala received the “Best Heroine in a Wildlife Film” Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival. The film has also garnered Humanitarian, Green, Animal Advocacy and Animation awards since its World Premiere in April 2012.

Interview opportunities exist with Director/Producer, Windy Borman on October 11, 2012.
Contact: Erin Hunt, Program Officer
Mines Action Canada
Phone: + 1 613 241-3777
Cell: + 1 613 302-3088
E-mail: erin@minesactioncanada.org

Film Links:

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/events/484659311553545/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eyesofthailand

Twitter: http://twitter.com/eyesofthailand

Web site: http://eyesofthailand.com

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Guest Blog by: U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines and Handicap International U.S.

You’ve seen the devastating effects of landmines in Windy Borman’s documentary “The Eyes of Thailand.” What most people don’t realize is that landmines are still posing a threat to millions of civilians, and in Mosha and Motala’s case elephants, everyday around the globe.

Here are some little known facts about landmines:

1. Around 4,000-5,000 people were maimed or killed by landmines last year alone
2. There are tens of millions of landmines in the ground in 78 countries
3. 30-40 percent of mine victims are children under 15 years old
4. The United States has 10.4 million Anti-Personnel Landmines (APLs) stockpiled, the third largest mine arsenal in the world
5. Landmines cost as little as $3 to produce and as much as $1,000 per mine to clear
6. Landmines have injured and killed thousands of U.S. and allied troops in every U.S.-fought conflict since World War II, including recently in Iraq and Afghanistan
7. U.S.-made or supplied APLs have been found in 32 countries, including Afghanistan
8. Landmines are indiscriminate killers that target civilians long after a conflict has ended. Most kinds of landmines last forever. Mines laid during WWII are still killing and maiming civilians
9. At the beginning of the 20th century, nearly 80 per cent of landmine victims were military personnel. Today, 90 per cent of landmine victims are civilians
10. Landmines set in motion a series of events that leads to environmental damage in the forms of soil degradation, deforestation, pollution of water resources with heavy metals and altering entire species’ populations through degrading habitats and altering food chains

Stay tuned for more in this bi-weekly Guest Blog series from the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines and Handicap International U.S.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact Name:  Windy Borman

Email: windy@dvaproductions.com

‘THE EYES OF THAILAND’ SETS SIGHTS FOR NORTHWEST PREMIERE AT THE PORT TOWNSEND FILM FESTIVAL

Ashley Judd narrates the eight-time award-winning film that has its roots in the Pacific Northwest.

SEATTLE, WA (September 17, 2012) – D.V.A. Productions, in Association with Indiewood Pictures, is proud to announce the Northwest Premiere of “The Eyes of Thailand” at the Port Townsend Film Festival (PTFF). The Film will screen Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 6:15pm at the Rose Theatre (Port Townsend, WA) and Sunday, September 23 at 12:30pm at the Uptown Theatre (Port Townsend, WA). Tickets are available at <http://www.ptfilmfest.com/>. Special guests include Director/Producer Windy Borman.

“The Eyes of Thailand” is directed/produced by Windy Borman and produced by Tim VandeSteeg. The 8-time award-winning documentary, narrated by Ashley Judd, tells the heartwarming and heroic true story of Soraida Salwala, a passionate woman who dedicated 10 years of her life to help two Asian elephants walk again after losing their legs from stepping on landmines.

Judd writes, “The Eyes of Thailand is a story of sacrifice and perseverance that shows how far one woman will go to save an endangered species from threats above and below the surface. I hope it will raise awareness to protect Asian Elephants—and all beings—from the terror of landmines.”

Borman began production on “The Eyes of Thailand” in November 2007, while traveling in Thailand with a Port Townsend theatre company, but when Borman met Salwala and the two elephant landmine survivors, the direction of the film changed.

“When I met Soraida, Mosha and Motala, I knew I discovered an untold story that I needed to share with the world. Witnessing Mosha and Motala take their first steps on their new prostheses was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I cannot wait to share it with the world–and especially the company members from Port Townsend,” said Borman.

“The Eyes of Thailand” was awarded the “ACE Documentary Film Grant” from The Humane Society of the United States and the “Best Documentary” Jury Award from the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival. Salwala received the “Best Heroine in a Wildlife Film” Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival. The film has also garnered Humanitarian, Green, Animal Advocacy and Animation awards since its World Premiere in April 2012.

The elephant stars of the film have been capturing the hearts of people worldwide and were featured in National Geographic, Yahoo, Takepart.com, Huffington Post and IndieWire.

The filmmakers have created a successful and loyal following through the film’s social media sites, including Facebook <www.facebook.com/eyesofthailand> and Twitter <www.twitter.com/eyesofthailand>, and the film’s website <www.eyesofthailand.com>.

For further inquiries, please contact: Windy Borman windy@dvaproductions.com

To help you show off your “Eyes of Thailand” spirit at our upcoming film festivals, we’ve launched a Facebook Store so you can pre-order your official “Eyes of Thailand” T-shirts and posters. The gear is in limited supply, so pre-order yours TODAY!

“Dream Big” T-Shirts: We love to see Democracy in action! Our Facebook Fans voted in August on their favorite T-shirt designs and here’s the winning look. The design features Motala and Baby Mosha on the front with our “Dream Big” slogan, and the title of the film on the back. Men’s, women’s and kid’s sizes available.

(c) Eyes of Thailand, LLC

Official Film Posters: Now you can bring home a bit of elephant history with an official poster for “The Eyes of Thailand”. Posters are unsigned and measure 24″ x 36″, exactly the same size we use at our film festival screenings!

(c) Eyes of Thailand, LLC. All rights reserved.

SPECIAL NOTES:

• If you selected a T-shirt or poster as part of a Donation Perk, you do NOT have to pre-order your gear. We already have you factored into the headcount.
• Posters and T-shirts will be mailed later this month.
• If you’re coming to a festival in September, we’ll have T-shirts on hand for cash purchase.
• Once we decide on a water bottle company, we’ll reveal the water bottle design and add them to the Facebook Store, too.

“The Eyes of Thailand” continues its award streak by receiving the Green Planet Award from FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival. The Green Planet Award is given to the film whose missions are “celebrating the vision of man’s shared humanity and achieving sustainability on our planet.”

“The Eyes of Thailand” tells the true and inspirational story of Soraida Salwala’s quest to help two elephant landmine survivors walk again. Treating their wounds was only part of the journey: building elephant-sized prostheses was another. The now 7-time award-winning film is directed/produced by Windy Borman, produced by Tim VandeSteeg and narrated by Ashley Judd.

The Green Planet Award was extra special for “The Eyes of Thailand” because it was announced on World Elephant Day.

To learn more about the film’s social and environmental goals, visit “The Eyes of Thailand” website.

Soriada Salwala’s love for elephant began early. When she was 8-years old, she saw an injured elephant lying helplessly on the side of the road. As her family drove past, they hear a gunshot. Her father explained, “Uncle Elephant is in heaven now”. “But if he was dying,” asked young Soraida, “why couldn’t he go to the hospital?” Flash forward several years and Soraida opened the World’s First Elephant Hospital to treat ill and injured elephants.

To date Soraida and her staff have treated over 3,500 Asian elephants for everything from eye infections, knife wounds, gunshot wounds and broken bones. However, their biggest challenge came in 1999 when an elephant landmine survivor, named Motala, arrived at FAE’s Elephant Hospital. Seven years later, a 7-month old calf named Mosha, arrived after she stepped on a landmine.

Soraida’s amazing 10-year journey to help these two elephant landmine survivors walk again on prostheses is chronicled in the award-winning, inspirational documentary, “The Eyes of Thailand”, narrated by Ashley Judd. The film is directed/produced by Windy Borman and produced by Tim VandeSteeg.

“The Eyes of Thailand” will have its East Coast Premiere at Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival on August 12, 2012 at 12:00pm. Coincidentally, August 12^th is the inaugural World Elephant Day.

Purchase tickets via: http://tinyurl.com/eotRIIFF

Invite your FaceBook friends to the event: http://www.facebook.com/events/379676615421360/

You can also find information and keep track of the film’s progress via the website, FaceBook and Twitter.

Dearest “Ele-Friends”,

We are thrilled to announce that “The Eyes of Thailand” film has been accepted into four more film festivals.

Narrated by Ashley Judd, “The Eyes of Thailand” tells the true and inspirational story of one woman’s quest to help two elephant landmine survivors–Motala and Baby Mosha–walk again on their own four legs. Treating their wounds was only part of the journey; building elephant-sized prostheses was another.

“The Eyes of Thailand” continues its film festival screenings at the following festivals this summer and fall:

The Las Vegas International Film Festival

July 20, 2012 at 4:45pm at LVH Theatre

FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival

August 7-12, 2012

Port Townsend Film Festival

September 21-23, 2012

Wildscreen Festival

October 14-19, 2012

We are thrilled to announce that not only will Wildscreen be the U.K. Premiere for “The Eyes of Thailand”, but we are also one of only three (3) films nominated for a Panda Award in the “People and Nature” category.

Please mark your calendars and spread the word, as we would love to have as many “Ele-Friends” in the audience as possible to spread awareness about the plight of the Asian Elephant and the on-going threat of landmines. Krup kum ka!

-Windy Borman

Director/Producer, “The Eyes of Thailand”

Dear “Ele-Friends”,

We received a public tweet from a fellow elephant lover today that I felt deserved a public response. I have replied to her directly, but I think it’s a worthy conversation for the Elephant Community at large, so I have posted it here as an open letter. We look forward to hearing your comments and if you can join us at the Little Rock Film Festival on either May 30th or June 1st, please give us an “Ele-Friend” shout out.

——————————————————-

Hi, Cora,

I saw your tweet and I just want to clarify that the Little Rock Film Festival selected “The Eyes of Thailand” and they worked with the Little Rock Zoo to host one of two screenings of “The Eyes of Thailand” during the festival.

As a filmmaker, one of my jobs is to ensure that the film reaches the broadest audience possible. Hence, this is why we have submitted to several film festivals around the United States and the world. Once they select us, they decide our screening locations and times, and if they want to partner with sponsors or partners for screenings.

I personally know that the zoos vs. sanctuaries debate is ripe with “elephant politics”, enough to fill several Elephant Summits, however one of the mission’s of the “The Eyes of Thailand” film is to start the much needed conversations about protecting Asian elephants in their native countries. This, of course, spills over into how Asian elephants are treated in their non-native countries, but that is a secondary conversation because the film is neither pro-zoo or anti-zoo. It is pro-Thai Asian Elephants and pro-FAE’s Elephant Hospital.

On a side note, as activists, I think it is dangerous if we only speak to the people that are already on our side because we won’t make very much progress that way. I believe we need to speak with the unenlightened and the neutral people, too, if we want to make real, significant changes.

At the end of the day, though, “The Eyes of Thailand” is the courageous story about one woman’s quest to help two elephant land mine survivors walk again. I hope it speaks to animal lovers, humanitarians, and environmentalists, as well as the general public, but it is a story and a conversation-starter.

Thank you for starting this conversation about how Asian elephants are treated in the U.S. and I hope we can all work together to improve their lives, no matter where the Asian elephants live.

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Director/Producer, “The Eyes of Thailand”

“The Eyes of Thailand” is heading south for the Little Rock Film Festival. The Arkansas premiere of the documentary is May 30, 2012 at 4:30pm at the Little Rock Zoo.  Join Director/Producer Windy Borman for a pre-screening elephant talk and a post-screening filmmaker Q&A. The encore screening is June 1, 2012 at 12:45pm.

For information and to reserve tickets, visit http://tinyurl.com/EyesofThailandatLRFF