Schools will have a special screening at 11am (earlier on the same day) of this new groundbreaking documentary titled “Antarctica – The Giant Awakens,” by acclaimed Australian filmmaker Liz Courtney. 

At both sessions, Liz will shed light (via a Q & A) on the looming threat of sea level rise. Despite Antarctica’s geographical distance from Australia, Oceania, and Asia, the rapidly changing Antarctic ice sheet presents a significant danger to these regions, with potential global implications. 

Directed by Award-Winning Filmmaker Liz Courtney, Edited by Academy award winning editor Karin Steiniger, the documentary follows a team of emerging young scientists on a mission to Antarctica, led by Prof Benjamin Horton, Director of The Earth Observatory, and with tech support by Australian science student Dakotah Grace.

The documentary follows a team of climate scientists as they embark on a mission to Antarctica, led by Prof Benjamin Horton, one of the world’s leading experts in sea-level rise and director of The Earth Observatory.  In Antarctica, the team endeavours to conduct innovative scientific research, including sampling airborne molecules, to provide critical insights into the pace of Antarctica’s transformation, the impact of atmospheric river systems, and the rapid changes occurring in glacier melt, from warming oceans and changing environmental conditions.

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 collapse due to rising temperatures in the Southern Ocean, surpassing previous predictive models.

Prof Horton Emphasizes the Urgency of Understanding Ice Melt and Sharing Scientific Discoveries. “Understanding how much ice is melting is crucial for projecting sea level change,” says Prof Horton. “Satellite-based imagery measures the surface topography of the ice sheet, but to comprehend melting, we need to measure changes in both the ice and the solid earth it exposes.”

Australian Director Liz Courtney hopes this film will encourage students at school and entering university to consider a pathway in science and technology. Courtney says, “We have a responsibility to communicate this information, particularly to the next generation. Through this documentary, we aim to inspire citizens worldwide to take note, as the fate of human civilization hangs in the balance.”

During this expedition, with the assistance of Starlink, the team also achieved the first LIVE cross to CNN and CNA, with local ANU science student Dakotah Grace managing the technology-based systems, noting the moving expedition ship and winds lost the link 7 mins prior to the cross, making this first live report a trying time for all. But back online with 3 mins to go, the live cross was a huge success and has opened the door for more interactive reports in the future.

Photo credit: All copyright belongs to Unboxed Media