PRESS RELEASES
ASSETS
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BROADENS ACCESS TO DOCUMENTARY ON THE IMPACTS OF COAL AND AMERICA’S ENERGY FUTURE WITH FREE STREAMING RELEASE OF FROM THE ASHES
Today Through July 3, Film Will Be Available for Free via You Tube, Facebook, Hulu, Amazon, Google Play, Video on Demand, NatGeoTV.com and Nat Geo TV Apps (iOS and Android Devices, Apple TV, Roku and Samsung Connected TVs)
Mon Jun 26 2017 12:55:00 GMT+0000 (UTC)
“Heartbreaking and enlightening at the same time — From the Ashes reminds us how much Americans yearn for the dignity of work, and just how much truth must be restored to our political dialogue before that can happen."
– Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 26, 2017) – In the wake of President Trump’s controversial decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and its imminent consequences on climate change, National Geographic Documentary Films announced today it would make the highly acclaimed coal documentary From the Ashes available for free across several streaming and video on demand platforms. The unique distribution furthers the network’s commitment to providing audiences with the resources and knowledge needed to preserve the planet and change the world.
Hailed by critics as a “compelling piece of advocacy journalism” that “couldn’t be more timely,” From the Ashes (official trailer) captures Americans in communities across the country as they wrestle with the legacy of the coal industry and what its future should be under the Trump administration.
Starting today, through July 3, this important and timely film will be available commercial-free and unauthenticated via YouTube, Facebook, Hulu, Amazon, Google Play and VOD and unauthenticated on Natgeotv.com and Nat Geo TV Apps (iOS and Android devices, Apple TV, Roku and Samsung Connected TVs).
“From the Ashes is more relevant than ever. The film explores the complexities of the coal industry and its impact on the environment, economy and public health,” said Tim Pastore, president of original programming and production for National Geographic channels. “At National Geographic, we are committed to furthering the national dialogue on clean energy and are thrilled to make From the Ashes available for free across such a wide array of streaming platforms.”
From the Ashes is produced by the Academy Award- and Emmy award-winning production company RadicalMedia in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and is directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Michael Bonfiglio, produced by Sidney Beaumont and executive produced by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger, as well as Jon Kamen, Katherine Oliver and Justin Wilkes.
In a video message, Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, said, “Coal affects our lives and planet in important ways but people often take positions on it without seeing the full picture. So this week, National Geographic is making From the Ashes available for free on a number of platforms. We encourage family and friends to watch the film and join the CrowdRise Campaign to support organizations that are helping create new jobs in coal country."
The film goes beyond the rhetoric of the “war on coal” to present compelling and often-heartbreaking stories about what is at stake for our economy, health and climate. With 7,500 U.S. deaths from coal pollution each year, the film invites audiences to learn more about this dying industry and how it impacts their everyday lives.
From the Ashes premiered earlier this year at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, followed by a limited theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles and then a global broadcast debut on National Geographic beginning Sunday, June 25. National Geographic will continue to roll out the film globally across 171 countries and 45 languages.
Additionally, Bloomberg Philanthropies organized a worldwide screening tour of From the Ashes, hosting viewings in several cities including Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Washington D.C., as well as stops in Brussels, London, Mexico City and Paris. Screenings in each location were followed by panel discussions with filmmakers, film subjects, environmental and public health leaders as well as government officials. The film has also been screened at more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide.
For more information on From the Ashes, visit FromTheAshesFilm.com.
Follow for updates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @FromTheAshesDoc or visit and visit National Geographic Education for educational resources focusing on coal and other sources of energy.
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About National Geographic Documentary Films:
National Geographic Documentary Films is committed to bringing the world premium, feature documentaries that cover timely, provocative and globally relevant stories from the very best documentary filmmakers in the world. National Geographic Documentary Films is a division of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 129 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching over 730 million people around the world in 171 countries and 45 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Bloomberg Philanthropies works in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2016, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.
About RadicalMedia:
RadicalMedia is an Oscar-, Emmy-, Peabody- and Grammy award-winning studio, with recent credits that include MARS for National Geographic; “Stan Against Evil” for IFC; “Hamilton’s America” for PBS’ Great Performances; Netflix’s “Abstract: The Art of Design,” which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival; and “May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers,” which won the Audience Award: 24 Beats Per Second at SXSW 2017 and was acquired by HBO. RadicalMedia's vast body of work also includes the Oscar-winning documentary “The Fog of War”; Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning “What Happened, Miss Simone?” for Netflix; “Keith Richards: Under the Influence” for Netflix; and Epix’s docuseries “America Divided”; as well as numerous Joe Berlinger-directed projects, including the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated “Paradise Lost: Purgatory” for HBO; “Metallica: Some Kind of Monster”; “Under African Skies” for A&E; “Whitey: The US vs. James J. Bulger” for CNN and the four-part docuseries “Killing Richard Glossip,” debuting this month on Investigation Discovery. See more at RadicalMedia.com and find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
National Geographic Media Contacts:
Erin Griffin, 202-912-6681, erin.griffin@natgeo.com
Kristin Montalbano, 202-912-3244, kristin.montalbano@natgeo.com
