Fox Searchlight Pictures and National Geographic Channel has joined hands for the global theatrical release of Davis Guggenheim’s upcoming feature documentary ‘He Named Me Malala’.
The Academy Award winner documentary is a portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was targeted by the Taliban and severely wounded by a gunshot when returning home on her school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley.
With this partnership, NGC and National Geographic Society will join the global launch campaign to support the theatrical release this October. Additionally, in 2016 the film will air on the NGC in 171 countries and 45 languages.
The documentary offers a look into Malala’s life both before and following the attack. Fifteen at the time of the incident, she was singled out, along with her father, for advocating for girls’ education. The shooting sparked an outcry from supporters around the world. Malala miraculously survived and is now a leading campaigner for girls’ education globally as co-founder of the Malala Fund.
Maker of the films like - An Inconvenient Truth, and Waiting for 'Superman', Davis Guggenheim examines how Malala, her father Zia and her family are committed to fighting for education for all girls worldwide. The film delivers an inside glimpse into this extraordinary young girl’s life – from her close relationship with her father who inspired her love for education, to her impassioned speeches at the United Nations, to joking around at home with her parents and brothers.
The launch of the film will also coincide with an international advocacy and fundraising campaign in partnership with the Malala Fund, Malala’s non-profit organisation working to empower adolescent girls globally through a quality secondary education.
“This is a film that you leave not only feeling incredibly inspired, but truly wanting to make a difference. As leaders in bringing stories of global importance to the largest audience possible, it is more than just an honor to be part of this project, I feel it is our duty,” said Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Channels in a statement.
He Named Me Malala is being released by Fox, in association with Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Participant Media, with National Geographic Channel. The film is produced by Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald and Davis Guggenheim. Executive producers are Mohamed Al Mubarak and Michael Garin from Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Jeff Skoll from Participant Media, and Shannon Dill.