enormous

“The First Emperor’s magnificent terra cotta army is one of the great wonders of the ancient world,” said Terry Garcia, National Geographic’s executive vice president for Mission Programs. “Visitors to the National Geographic Museum will have the rare opportunity to experience one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century as they stand face-to-face with the terra cotta warriors.”

The ticketed exhibition offers an in-depth look at the First Emperor’s enormous tomb complex that contained thousands of terra cotta warriors intended to protect him in the afterlife. The exhibition showcases 15 life-size terra cotta figures and 100 sets of objects, including 20 “Level 1″ artifacts — China’s highest possible ranking in terms of rarity and importance.

“Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor” is co-organized by the Bowers Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science and the National Geographic Museum, and is guest curated by Dr. Albert E. Dien, professor emeritus, Stanford University.

“Terra Cotta Warriors” is supported by American Airlines; Amtrak; Washington, D.C.’s Loews Madison Hotel; P.F. Chang’s China Bistro; The PIMCO Foundation; UPS; Viking River Cruises; and WTOP.

The exhibition is supported locally by Asia Nine; Cultural Tourism DC; Destination DC; D.C. United; Hong Kong Palace; Mie N Yu; TenPenh; Union Station; Washington National Opera; The Washington Nationals; and The Washington Post.

In support of the exhibition, National Geographic has published a companion book, “Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor,” by Jane Portal, and exhibit-related merchandise is available online and in the National Geographic Museum store. A teacher’s guide can be found online via the For Teachers page at www.warriorsdc.org. A touchable terra cotta warrior replica and two kiosks featuring an interactive game are available for museum visitors to access free.

Free screenings of the film “The Real Dragon Emperor,” featuring the latest archaeological research and imaging techniques that take viewers inside the massive tomb of Qin Shihuangdi, will be shown in National Geographic’s Grosvenor Auditorium at 12 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through the run of the exhibition. The hour-long film also will be screened on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.; and on the following Saturdays: Nov. 28, Dec. 26, Jan. 30, Feb. 27 and March 27, at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

In addition, National Geographic will host a Chinese New Year celebration on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, presenting sponsor of the celebration, will provide complimentary tickets to the exhibition that day. Details on how to receive these tickets will be made available soon. Additional support of the Chinese New Year celebration is provided by The PIMCO Foundation.

Historian and guest curator Albert Dien will review the tumultuous era of Chinese history that saw the construction of the terra cotta army at a sold-out National Geographic Live event on Nov. 21.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Discovered after being buried for more than 2,000 years, the terra cotta warriors reveal secrets of the Qin dynasty. The warriors were found in 1974 by a group of farmers digging a well near Xi’an in China’s Shaanxi province. When archaeologists began excavating the area, they uncovered a subterranean vault containing fragments of thousands of terra cotta figures in four pits. More than 1,000 life-size figures have been unearthed as part of the site’s ongoing excavation, with estimates of 6,000 more remaining in the known underground pits.

Construction of Qin Shihuangdi’s tomb took 36 years to complete, and the tomb complex is estimated to extend more than 19 square miles. The terra cotta figures were created in assembly-line fashion, and molds were used to mass-produce hands, heads and ears. Craftsmen sculpted individual armor details and facial features by hand. It is believed that no two faces are alike.

“Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor” features 15 terra cotta figures, consisting of nine warriors — two infantrymen, a chariot driver, two officers, an armored warrior, two archers and a cavalryman — as well as two musicians, a strongman, a court official, a stable attendant and a horse. The exhibition showcases 100 sets of artifacts, including weapons, stone armor, coins, jade ornaments, roof tiles and decorative bricks, and a bronze crane and swan. Two replica bronze chariots will also be on display.

The 12,000-square-foot exhibition is organized into four themes. The first, “Building the Empire,” introduces visitors to Qin Shihuangdi and his formidable rule. This gallery also details the emperor’s establishment of new standards, including dictated script, coinage, weights and measures.

The second theme, “Power and Paranoia,” highlights the First Emperor’s architectural projects as he sought to create physical proof of his power. He was preoccupied with keeping his location secret, and his many dwellings, including 300 extravagant palaces and 400 lodges, allowed him to stay in a different place each night.

The third theme, “The Afterlife,” focuses on the construction of the massive underground tomb complex and the practice of burying objects with the dead to serve their spirits in an afterworld.

The final theme, “Armies Unearthed,” showcases eight of the warriors and details how the terra cotta army was created. This section also highlights the work of excavators and conservators in reconstructing and preserving the artifacts.

The exhibition began its U.S. tour at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Calif., in May 2008. The same collection of objects then visited the High Museum of Art in Atlanta from November 2008 through April 2009, under a different title and curatorial framework. “Terra Cotta Warriors” visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science from May through October 2009, before traveling to the National Geographic Museum.

The objects in the exhibition are drawn from 11 different collections in and near Xi’an, including the Museum of the First Emperor’s Terra Cotta Army and Horses, Shaanxi Provincial Institute for Archaeological Research, the Zhouzhi Museum, Baoji Museum, Xianyang Museum, Lintong Museum, Fengxiang Museum, Chencang Museum, Xi’an Institute for Archaeological Research and Protection, Baoji Archaeological Excavation Team and Xianyang Institute for Archaeological Research.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are timed and dated and can be purchased online at the Buy Tickets page of the exhibition Web site www.warriorsdc.org, by phone at (202) 857-7700, and at the National Geographic Museum ticket booth located at the exhibition’s entrance or at the National Geographic ticket office, 1600 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

The exhibition is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours on Wednesdays until 9 p.m. The National Geographic Museum will be closed on Dec. 25.

Ticket prices are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors, students, military personnel and National Geographic members; and $6 for children ages 2-12. Children under age 2 are admitted free. A companion audio tour, offered in English, Mandarin and Spanish, is available for $5.

Prices for groups of 10 or more are $8 per ticket, and K-12 school groups are $6 per person with one free adult ticket for each group of 10 students. For more information on group sales, call (202) 857-7281.

The PIMCO Foundation will provide 200 free, same-day tickets each Wednesday evening during the exhibition’s run. These tickets will be distributed at the museum at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. viewing on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of two tickets per person.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is offering $2 off a full-price exhibition ticket for guests at its nine D.C.-area restaurants. Guests will receive a special promotional code that can be used when purchasing tickets online, by phone or at the museum.

The National Geographic Museum’s official hotel partner, the Loews Madison Hotel, is offering a package that includes one night deluxe accommodation, two premium anytime tickets to the exhibition and a 20 percent discount at the museum gift shop, available online at www.loewshotels.com/madison. Additional hotel packages, including premium tickets for anytime access to the exhibition, are being offered at several area hotels through Destination DC’s Weekend Warriors promotion. Visit www.weekendwarriorsdc.com for details. Hotel packages are also available through AAA.

For additional ticketing information, visit www.warriorsdc.org.

The National Geographic Museum, located at 1145 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., features a variety of changing exhibitions as well as permanent and interactive displays that reflect the richness and diversity of our world.

“We are thrilled to have The PIMCO Foundation’s support of ‘Terra Cotta Warriors,’” said Susan Norton, director of the National Geographic Museum. “In addition to the Foundation providing nearly 4,000 free exhibition tickets to the public during our Wednesday evening extended hours, the student preview will give some lucky local D.C. students a first look at these incredible treasures.”

“We are pleased to sponsor the terra cotta warriors’ final stop in the United States,” said Mohamed El-Erian, The PIMCO Foundation’s president. “This is one of the world’s most important exhibitions, and we are thrilled to enhance the public’s opportunity to see it.” The PIMCO Foundation also sponsored the warriors’ first stop in the United States, in Santa Ana, Calif.

The exhibition will be open for extended viewing hours on Wednesday evenings until 9 p.m. On these evenings, 200 free, same-day tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Distribution will begin at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. viewing, with a maximum distribution of two tickets per person.

“Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor” provides an in-depth look at the enormous tomb complex of Emperor Qin Shihuangdi that contained thousands of terra cotta warriors
intended to protect him in the afterlife. The warriors were discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers digging a well near Xi’an in Shaanxi province. When archaeologists began excavating the area, they uncovered a subterranean vault containing fragments of thousands of terra cotta figures in three large pits. More than 1,000 life-size figures have been restored as part of the site’s ongoing excavation.

The exhibition features including nine terra cotta warriors, two musicians, a strongman, a court official, a stable attendant and a horse. The exhibition features 100 sets of artifacts in all, including weapons, stone armor, coins, jade ornaments, roof tiles and decorative bricks, and a bronze crane and swan. The National Geographic Museum is the final venue on the exhibition’s two-year U.S. tour.

Timed and dated tickets can be purchased online at the Buy Tickets page of the exhibition Web site www.warriorsdc.org, by phone at (202) 857-7700 or at the National Geographic Museum ticket office, 1600 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Ticket prices are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors, students, military personnel and National Geographic members; and $6 for children ages 2-12. Prices for groups of 10 or more are $8 per ticket, and K-12 school groups are $6 per person with one free adult ticket for each group of 10 students. For more information on group sales, call (202) 857-7281. A companion audio tour will be available for $5.

On all days except Wednesdays, the exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Wednesdays, it will close at 9 p.m. The National Geographic Museum will be closed on Dec. 25. For more information, visit www.warriorsdc.org.

“Terra Cotta Warriors” is supported by American Airlines; Amtrak; Washington, D.C.’s Loews Madison Hotel; P.F. Chang’s China Bistro; The PIMCO Foundation; UPS; Viking River Cruises; and WTOP.

The exhibition is co-organized by the Bowers Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science and the National Geographic Museum and is guest curated by Dr. Albert E. Dien, professor emeritus, Stanford University.

The PIMCO Foundation is the corporate giving arm of PIMCO, one of the world’s leading money management firms, headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., with offices in New York City, Amsterdam, London, Munich, Zurich, Tokyo, Toronto, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney. www.pimco.com.

“We are thrilled to have The PIMCO Foundation’s support of ‘Terra Cotta Warriors,’” said Susan Norton, director of the National Geographic Museum. “In addition to the Foundation providing nearly 4,000 free exhibition tickets to the public during our Wednesday evening extended hours, the student preview will give some lucky local D.C. students a first look at these incredible treasures.”

“We are pleased to sponsor the terra cotta warriors’ final stop in the United States,” said Mohamed El-Erian, The PIMCO Foundation’s president. “This is one of the world’s most important exhibitions, and we are thrilled to enhance the public’s opportunity to see it.” The PIMCO Foundation also sponsored the warriors’ first stop in the United States, in Santa Ana, Calif.

The exhibition will be open for extended viewing hours on Wednesday evenings until 9 p.m. On these evenings, 200 free, same-day tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Distribution will begin at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. viewing, with a maximum distribution of two tickets per person.

“Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor” provides an in-depth look at the enormous tomb complex of Emperor Qin Shihuangdi that contained thousands of terra cotta warriors intended to protect him in the afterlife. The warriors were discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers digging a well near Xi’an in Shaanxi province. When archaeologists began excavating the area, they uncovered a subterranean vault containing fragments of thousands of terra cotta figures in three large pits. More than 1,000 life-size figures have been restored as part of the site’s ongoing excavation.

The exhibition features including nine terra cotta warriors, two musicians, a strongman, a court official, a stable attendant and a horse. The exhibition features 100 sets of artifacts in all, including weapons, stone armor, coins, jade ornaments, roof tiles and decorative bricks, and a bronze crane and swan. The National Geographic Museum is the final venue on the exhibition’s two-year U.S. tour.

Timed and dated tickets can be purchased online at the Buy Tickets page of the exhibition Web site www.warriorsdc.org, by phone at (202) 857-7700 or at the National Geographic Museum ticket office, 1600 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Ticket prices are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors, students, military personnel and National Geographic members; and $6 for children ages 2-12. Prices for groups of 10 or more are $8 per ticket, and K-12 school groups are $6 per person with one free adult ticket for each group of 10 students. For more information on group sales, call (202) 857-7281. A companion audio tour will be available for $5.

On all days except Wednesdays, the exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Wednesdays, it will close at 9 p.m. The National Geographic Museum will be closed on Dec. 25. For more information, visit www.warriorsdc.org.

“Terra Cotta Warriors” is supported by American Airlines; Amtrak; Washington, D.C.’s Loews Madison Hotel; P.F. Chang’s China Bistro; The PIMCO Foundation; UPS; Viking River Cruises; and WTOP.

The exhibition is co-organized by the Bowers Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science and the National Geographic Museum and is guest curated by Dr. Albert E. Dien, professor emeritus, Stanford University.

The PIMCO Foundation is the corporate giving arm of PIMCO, one of the world’s leading money management firms, headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., with offices in New York City, Amsterdam, London, Munich, Zurich, Tokyo, Toronto, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney. www.pimco.com.

The National Geographic Museum, located at 1145 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., features a variety of changing exhibitions as well as permanent and interactive displays that reflect the richness and diversity of our world. The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 375 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

Tickets are timed and dated and can be purchased online at the Buy Tickets page of the exhibition Web site www.warriorsdc.org, by phone at (202) 857-7700 and at the National Geographic Museum ticket office, 1600 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Ticket prices are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors, students, military personnel and National Geographic members; and $6 for children ages 2-12. A companion audio tour will be available for $5. The exhibition will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours on Wednesdays until 9 p.m. It will be closed on Dec. 25. For more information, visit www.warriorsdc.org.

Prices for groups of 10 or more are $8 per ticket, and K-12 school groups are $6 per person with one free adult ticket for each group of 10 students. For more information on group sales, call (202) 857-7281.

“We’re excited to offer our visitors the opportunity to stand face-to-face with the terra cotta warriors, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century,” said Susan Norton, director of the National Geographic Museum. “We’ll be more than doubling our current gallery space in order to accommodate this incredible collection of artifacts.”

The exhibition offers an in-depth look at the First Emperor’s enormous tomb complex that contained thousands of terra cotta warriors intended to protect him in the afterlife. The exhibition showcases 15 life-size terra cotta figures representing soldiers, archers, acrobats and animals, and 100 sets of objects, including stone armor, weapons and bronze vessels.

The terra cotta warriors were discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers digging a well near Xi’an in Shaanxi province. When archaeologists began excavating the area, they uncovered a subterranean vault containing fragments of thousands of terra cotta figures in three large pits. More than 1,000 life-size figures have been restored as part of the site’s ongoing excavation.

Emperor Qin Shihuangdi was one of the most important political leaders to rule China over the past 2,000 years. After defeating six neighboring warring states, he declared himself emperor of the unified territory in 221 B.C. and instituted new policies that paved the way for China’s development as a nation.

Construction of his tomb took 36 years and began soon after he became ruler of the state of Qin at age 13. The tomb complex is estimated to extend more than 19 square miles. The terra cotta figures were created in an assembly-line fashion, and molds were used to mass-produce hands, heads and ears. Craftsmen sculpted individual armor details and facial features by hand. No two faces are alike.

The National Geographic Museum is working with Destination DC and Cultural Tourism DC to coordinate a city-wide celebration with hotel packages, themed promotions with area restaurants, including Mie N Yu and TenPenh, and related cultural programming.

In support of the exhibition, National Geographic has published a companion book, “Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor,” by Jane Portal, and exhibit-related merchandise will be available online and in the National Geographic Museum store. A teacher’s guide is available online via the For Teachers page at www.warriorsdc.org. Themed National Geographic Live! programs and free film screenings will be offered during the exhibition’s run. An interactive game will be available for free at several stations in the museum. Additionally, in the fall a virtual-world “Terra Cotta Warriors” game will be available for free to support the exhibition.

“Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor” is supported by Viking River Cruises. UPS is the exclusive Global Delivery Partner of the exhibition. Washington, D.C.’s Loews Madison Hotel is the Official Hotel Partner of the National Geographic Museum.

The exhibition began its U.S. tour at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Calif., in May 2008. The same collection of objects then visited the High Museum of Art in Atlanta from November 2008 through April 2009, under a different title and curatorial framework. “Terra Cotta Warriors” will be at the Houston Museum of Natural Science from May 22 to Oct. 16, 2009, before opening at the National Geographic Museum on Nov. 19, 2009.

The exhibition is co-organized by the Bowers Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science and the National Geographic Museum, and guest curator Dr. Albert E. Dien, professor emeritus, Stanford University. The objects in the exhibition were drawn from 11 different collections in and near Xi’an, China, including the Museum of the First Emperor’s Terracotta Army and Horses, Shaanxi Provincial Institute for Archaeological Research, the Zhouzhi Museum, Baoji Museum, Xianyang Museum, Lintong Museum, Fengxiang Museum, Chencang Museum, Xi’an Institute for Archaeological Research and Protection, Baoji Archaeological Excavation Team and Xianyang Institute for Archaeological Research.

“It seems fitting that the exhibition’s final stop is in the nation’s capital,” said Susan Norton, director of the National Geographic Museum. “We encourage visitors from all over the East Coast to make the trip to Washington to see these remarkable cultural treasures before they return to China.”

Tickets for groups of 10 or more, at $8 per ticket, can now be purchased. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com/terracottawarriors or call (202) 857-7281. Timed tickets for individuals go on sale in May 2009. Individual ticket prices are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors, students, military personnel and National Geographic members; and $6 for school groups and children ages 2-12. Interested individuals can also sign up to receive exhibition and ticketing updates on the exhibition’s Web site, nationalgeographic.com/terracottawarriors.

To accommodate the exhibition, the National Geographic Museum will more than double its current gallery space, expanding across the entire first floor of the Society’s 17th Street building. After “Terra Cotta Warriors” closes, this added space will allow the museum to expand its exhibition offerings.

Considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the First Emperor’s enormous tomb complex contains thousands of terra cotta warriors intended to protect him in the afterlife. The exhibition offers an in-depth look at this historical site and showcases 100 sets of objects, including 15 life-size terra cotta figures representing soldiers, servants, musicians, acrobats and animals.

The terra cotta warriors were discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers digging a well near Xi’an in Shaanxi province. When archaeologists began excavating the area, they uncovered a subterranean vault containing fragments of thousands of terra cotta figures in three large pits. More than 1,000 life-size figures have been restored as part of the site’s ongoing excavation.

Emperor Qin Shihuangdi was one of the most important political leaders to rule China over the past 2,000 years. After defeating six neighboring warring states, he declared himself emperor of the unified territory in 221 B.C. He then instituted new policies that paved the way for China’s development as a nation.

Construction of the First Emperor’s tomb took 36 years and began soon after he became ruler of the state of Qin at age 13. The tomb complex is estimated to extend more than 19 square miles. The warriors’ bodies were created in an assembly-line fashion, and molds were used to mass-produce hands, heads and ears. Craftsmen sculpted individual armor details and facial features by hand. No two faces are alike.

“Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor” began its U.S. tour at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Calif., in May 2008. The same collection of objects is currently on display at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta through April 19, 2009, under a different title and curatorial framework. “Terra Cotta Warriors” will be at the Houston Museum of Natural Science from May 22 to Oct. 16, 2009, before coming to the National Geographic Museum in November 2009.

In support of the exhibition, National Geographic has published a companion book, “Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor,” by Jane Portal, and exhibit-related merchandise will be available online and in its museum store. National Geographic also will offer an exhibition audio tour; teacher and family guides; National Geographic Live! programming; an online game; and more. The museum is working with Destination DC and Cultural Tourism DC to coordinate a city-wide celebration of the exhibition with hotel packages, themed promotions with area restaurants and related cultural programming.

The exhibition will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours on Wednesdays until 9 p.m. It will be closed on Dec. 25.

The exhibition is co-organized by the Bowers Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science and National Geographic Museum, and guest curator Dr. Albert E. Dien, professor emeritus, Stanford University. The objects in the exhibition were drawn from 11 different collections in and near Xi’an, China, including the Museum of the First Emperor’s Terracotta Army and Horses, Shaanxi Provincial Institute for Archaeological Research, the Zhouzhi Museum, Baoji Museum, Xianyang Museum, Lintong Museum, Fengxiang Museum, Chencang Museum, Xi’an Institute for Archaeological Research and Protection, Baoji Archaeological Excavation Team, and Xianyang Institute for Archaeological Research.

Kicking off with a live concert by celebrated Somali hip-hop MC, griot and singer/songwriter K’NAAN in his only Los Angeles-area performance with songs from his new CD “Troubadour,” the four-day event will also feature an outdoor photography exhibit with works from four provocative new voices in the photography medium. Sicilian songstress Carmen Consoli will perform in an All Roads event Friday, Sept. 26, at Hotel Café in Hollywood.

“In a world where indigenous languages are in jeopardy of imminent loss at the rate of one every two weeks, it is crucial that we recognize the value of our indigenous and under-represented minority-culture communities and the cultural knowledge they provide us,” said Francene Blythe, director of the All Roads Film Project. “With that in mind, it has become the mission of All Roads over the past five years to seek out the stories of these communities and make them accessible to a broader audience. Since our inception, All Roads has reached thousands of people throughout the world through our festival and traveling photography exhibits. In the coming years we hope to create an even greater impact as we continue to search out these unique stories, for they help us gain not only a greater understanding of ourselves but also of our place in the world.”

Among this year’s stand-out films are “Under the Bombs,” a narrative film by Franco-Lebanese director Philippe Aractingi, shot in the midst of real-time mortar bomb blasts and machine gun fire in war-torn Lebanon; “The Linguists,” a documentary by filmmakers Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller and Jeremy Newberger, who travel off the map to remote villages in Siberia, India and Bolivia to follow two tenacious college professors on a quest to record languages on the brink of disappearing; and “As We Forgive,” an emotional tale of loss and reconciliation by Laura Waters Hinson, winner of the Student Academy Award.

Other films of note are “What Was Promised,” by National Geographic Emerging Explorer and All Roads seed grantee Roshini Thinakaran, depicting the challenges faced by the female recruits of Iraq’s new security forces; “Sikumi (On the Ice)” a short by up-and-coming filmmaker Andrew Okpeaha Maclean (Iñupiaq); and Sundance audience favorite “Nikamowin (Song),” by director Kevin Lee Burton (Swampy Cree).

This year All Roads will include a program of “Persian Portraits,” featuring a collection of shorts and a long-form documentary curated by the Documentary Experimental Film Center in Tehran. The festival also will screen a number of animated shorts in addition to its roster of narrative and documentary shorts and features.

All Roads will present the Los Angeles premieres of “Under the Bombs,” “The Linguists,” and “As We Forgive.” Australian feature “When Colin Met Joyce” will be making its North American debut. Other films debuting include the world premieres of “What Was Promised,” Burmese short “A Sketch of Wathone” and All Roads seed grant short “Keao”; the North American premiere of Russian feature “Welcome to Enurmino!”; and the Los Angeles premieres of Kurdish short “White Mountains,” Maori feature documentary “Guarding the Family Silver,” Dene short “Aydaygooay,” Bolivian short “Weaving Life,” Mexican short “Under the Open Sky,” Miq’maq animated short “Maq and the Spirit of the Woods” and Hawaiian short “Na ‘Ono o ka ‘Aina – Delicacies of the Land.”

This year’s photography program features the work of 2008 All Roads Photography Program awardees Khaled Hasan (Bangladesh), Farzana Wahidy (Afghanistan), Alejandro Chaskielberg (Argentina) and Rena Effendi (Azerbaijan).

Hasan will present his photo essay “Living Stone: A Community Losing Its Life,” which focuses on the India-Bangladesh border community of Jaflong, whose inhabitants are struggling with the environmental, political and physical effects of the region’s stone-crushing industry. Wahidy’s exhibit, “Afghan Women,” explores the enormous pressures and perils faced by the women of her native land, who enjoy far fewer rights today than they did 30 years ago. Chaskielberg’s photo essay, “The High Tide: Native Islanders and the Community of the Paraná River Delta,” beautifully depicts a new culture — with its own laws and codes, a byproduct of unemployment and immigration — that has formed in this unique estuary, with a dense forest full of water and silence. Effendi’s essay, “Khinaliq Village — A Staircase to the Sky 2003-2006,” explores the effects of urbanization on the ancient village of Khinaliq in Azerbaijan, a village whose unique ancient culture is being threatened by the development of a luxury ski resort.

For ticket information call (323) 466.3456 (FILM) or order online through www.fandango.com. A full festival schedule is available at www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads.

The All Roads Film Festival is part of the All Roads Film Project, a National Geographic program created to provide an international platform for indigenous and under-represented minority-culture artists to share cultures, stories, and perspectives through the power of film and photography. In addition to providing a venue for their films, All Roads offers its filmmakers and photographers a series of networking opportunities and awards a minimum of 10 seed grants a year to support the development and production of film and video projects by or about indigenous and under-represented minority-culture communities. Seed grant recipients are considered for inclusion in the All Roads Film Festival and other National Geographic-affiliated broadcast outlets. The All Roads Photography Program provides photographers with seed money, cameras and photography equipment to assist with their fieldwork.

Kicking off with a live concert by celebrated Somali hip-hop MC, griot and singer/songwriter K’NAAN with songs from his new CD, “Troubadour,” the four-day event will also feature an outdoor photography exhibit with works from four provocative new voices in the photography medium. The Mexican Cultural Institute and Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) will team with All Roads to screen “Soneros del Tesechoacán,” a Washington, D.C., premiere, in a pre-festival event on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

“In a world where indigenous languages are in jeopardy of imminent loss at the rate of one every two weeks, it is crucial that we recognize the value of our indigenous and under-represented minority-culture communities and the cultural knowledge they provide us,” said Francene Blythe, director of the All Roads Film Project. “With that in mind, it has become the mission of All Roads over the past five years to seek out the stories of these communities and make them accessible to a broader audience. Since our inception, All Roads has reached thousands of people throughout the world through our festival and traveling photography exhibits. In the coming years we hope to create an even greater impact as we continue to search out these unique stories, for they help us gain not only a greater understanding of ourselves but also of our place in the world.”

Some of the year’s stand-out films include Student Academy Award-winning film “As We Forgive,” by Washington native Laura Waters Hinson, which explores the acts of reconciliation between the Hutu and Tutsi communities of Rwanda; “The Linguists,” a documentary by filmmakers Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller and Jeremy Newberger, who travel off the map to remote villages in Siberia, India and Bolivia to follow two tenacious college professors on a quest to record languages on the brink of disappearing; and “La Americana,” a look at the emotional dilemma faced in the immigrants’ plight, by director Nicholas Bruckman with director of photography John Mattiuzzi.

Other notable films are “What Was Promised,” a film by National Geographic Emerging Explorer and All Roads seed grantee Roshini Thinakaran, depicting the challenges faced by the female recruits of Iraq’s new security forces; “Sikumi (On the Ice),” a short by up-and-coming filmmaker Andrew Okpeaha Maclean (Iñupiaq); and Sundance audience favorite “Nikamowin (Song),” by director Kevin Lee Burton (Swampy Cree).

This year All Roads will include a program of “Persian Portraits,” featuring a collection of shorts and a long-form documentary curated by the Documentary Experimental Film Center in Tehran. The festival also will screen a number of animated shorts in addition to its roster of narrative and documentary shorts and features.

All Roads will present the Washington premieres of “La Americana” in co-presentation with LALIFF, “The Linguists,” “What Was Promised,” “When Colin Met Joyce,” “Sikumi (On the Ice)” and “Nikamowin (Song).” Other films debuting in Washington include the Russian feature “Welcome to Enurmino!,” and the live-action shorts “A Sketch of Wathone” (Burma), “Keao” (Hawaii, All Roads seed grant), “White Mountains” (East Kurdistan), “Aydaygooay” (Canada), “Weaving Life” (Bolivia), “Under the Open Sky” (Mexico) and “Na ‘Ono o ka ‘Aina – Delicacies of the Land,” (Hawaii).

This year’s photography program features the work of 2008 All Roads Photography Program awardees Khaled Hasan (Bangladesh), Farzana Wahidy (Afghanistan), Alejandro Chaskielberg (Argentina) and Rena Effendi (Azerbaijan).

Hasan will present his photo essay “Living Stone: A Community Losing Its Life,” which focuses on the India-Bangladesh border community of Jaflong, whose inhabitants are struggling with the environmental, political and physical effects of the region’s stone-crushing industry. Wahidy’s exhibit, “Afghan Women,” explores the enormous pressures and perils faced by the women of her native land, who enjoy far fewer rights today than they did 30 years ago. Chaskielberg’s photo essay, “The High Tide: Native Islanders and the Community of the Paraná River Delta,” beautifully depicts a new culture — with its own laws and codes, a byproduct of unemployment and immigration — that has formed in this unique estuary, with a dense forest full of water and silence. Effendi’s essay, “Khinaliq Village — A Staircase to the Sky 2003-2006,” explores the effects of urbanization on the ancient village of Khinaliq in Azerbaijan, a village whose unique ancient culture is being threatened by the development of a luxury ski resort.

The All Roads Film Festival is sponsored by InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.

For ticket information, visit or call the National Geographic ticket office (1600 M Street N.W., Washington, D.C, (202) 857-7700) or order online through www.tickets.com. A full festival schedule is available at www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads.

The All Roads Film Festival is part of the All Roads Film Project, a National Geographic program created to provide an international platform for indigenous and under-represented minority-culture artists to share cultures, stories, and perspectives through the power of film and photography. In addition to providing a venue for their films, All Roads offers its filmmakers and photographers a series of networking opportunities and awards a minimum of 10 seed grants a year to support the development and production of film and video projects by or about indigenous and under-represented minority-culture communities. Seed grant recipients are considered for inclusion in the All Roads Film Festival and other National Geographic-affiliated broadcast outlets. The All Roads Photography Program provides photographers with award money, cameras and photography equipment to assist with their fieldwork.

The Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., is one of the most important artistic and cultural centers established outside of Mexico. Its primary mission is to promote and disseminate to the local community, the vast and rich traditions of Mexico’s cultural past and present.

Press Release:

LEICA M MONOCHROM: THE FUTURE OF BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

Solms Germany (May 10, 2012) – Leica Camera AG presents the Leica M Monochrom, the world’s first digital camera exclusively for full-frame, 35 mm black-and-white photography. Featuring a sensor designed specifically for this purpose, the new addition to the Leica portfolio enables photographers to capture images in outstanding black-and-white quality, setting entirely new standards. The latest camera in the flagship Leica M-System, the Leica M Monochrom continues the successful story of the Leica rangefinder system, which has written numerous chapters in the history of innovative photography.

“Black-and-white photography is more popular than ever before. Even today, it has lost none of its fascination as an expressive medium, not even for younger generations of photographers. This is confirmed by the numerous monochrome images shown by members of the M-Community, who we are in constant contact with,” said Jesko von Oeynhausen, Product Manager for the M-System at Leica Camera AG. “For the first time ever, we are offering an opportunity to consistently and authentically explore black-and-white photography with the M Monochrom, a tool that is unique in the digital world. The camera’s exclusively black-and-white sensor brings an enormous technical benefit that is reflected in the amazing imaging quality it delivers.”

The 18 MP image sensor of the M Monochrom is perfectly matched to the unique properties of the Leica M-System and the superior performance of Leica M-Lenses. As the sensor does not ‘see’ colors, every pixel records true luminance values – as a result, it delivers ‘true’ black-and-white images that are significantly sharper than comparable exposures from a camera with a color-sensitive sensor.

To allow precise control of tonal values, the Leica M Monochrom offers a raw data histogram display to exhibit original, unprocessed and unmodified raw data. This, combined with a configurable clipping display, allows precise correction or optimization of exposures.

At the touch of a button, images captured by the M Monochrom can be converted with characteristic toning effects from black-and-white film photography (sepia, cold or selenium toning). All users need to do is save the image in JPEG format and select the desired toning effect – simply and conveniently, with no need for post-processing.

The classic, iconic design of the Leica M-cameras is carried forward by the Leica M Monochrom. The matte-black finish of the chromed top deck allows the camera to be an unobtrusive tool. Only an engraved script on the accessory shoe reveals the product name. The camera features particularly soft leather trim with ideal grip that perfectly complements the camera’s discreet character. The camera package also includes a genuine leather carrying strap in premium full-grain cowhide.

The M Monochrom is supplied complete with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, a professional digital workflow solution. The software is available to customers as an online download after product registration. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom offers a wide range of functions for the management, processing and presentation of digital images. For example, this software allows for the creation of simple print layouts, slide shows and photo books.

A full-version of Silver Efex Pro 2, the world’s leading black-and-white image processing software, is also included in the package. Silver Efex Pro 2 offers an impressive collection of unique and powerful, darkroom-inspired tools for the creation of high quality black-and-white images. Silver Efex Pro 2 emulates over 20 different types of black-and-white film to recreate the glory of classical black-and-white film photography. The emulation of each film type is based on the analysis of many rolls of the respective type and guarantees perfect reproduction of the characteristic look of many popular films from ISO 32 to ISO 3200.

For the production of high-quality black-and-white prints, Leica Camera AG also offers a unique service in collaboration with Whitewall. After registering their Leica M Monochrom on the Leica website, customers can have their digital images from the M Monochrom printed on premium-quality baryte paper. These prints can be ordered from Whitewall through a personal link.

From photojournalism and available light photography to discreet, artistically aesthetic, creative compositions – the Leica M Monochrom adapts flexibly to every application and enables the expression of personal photographic style and consciously creative composition. The enormous potential performance of the current M-Lens portfolio, with focal lengths from 16 to 135 mm, is also fully accessible. In line with Leica’s renowned commitment to extreme system compatibility, almost all lenses of the Leica M range built since 1954 can still be used on the M Monochrom.

All characteristic properties of the Leica rangefinder system are also present in the new Leica M Monochrom. This, for instance, also includes the system’s intuitive and discreet handling. Its manual focusing based on the combined viewfinder and rangefinder concept and aperture priority exposure mode is an aid to photographers rather than placing undesired limitations on their creative freedom. In combination with the monitor display on the back of the camera, the simple menu navigation needs only a few control elements to enable rapid access to the entire range of camera functions. Together with its compact construction, the camera’s almost silent shutter benefits discreet and unobtrusive photography. Photographers can even select the appropriate moment for re-cocking the shutter. When longer exposure times requiring an extremely steady camera stance are essential, a slight pressure on the shutter release button in ‘soft release’ mode is sufficient.

All functions of the Leica M Monochrom are constructed with extreme robustness and a long working life in mind. Its one-piece, full-metal housing, made from a high-strength magnesium alloy, and the top deck and bottom plate, machined from solid brass blanks, provide perfect protection for its precious inner mechanisms. The digital components and shutter assembly of the M Monochrom are similarly constructed with a view to a lifetime of endurance. For photographers, this provides absolute reliability over decades of use. The experienced hands of Leica technicians at the factory in Solms are responsible for the assembly and calibration of M Monochrom bodies and the precise testing of all mechanical and electrical components. Leica Customer Care has decades of experience in repairs and maintenance and therefore creates a solid foundation for long life and enduring value. Even today, the service department maintains and repairs all M-Cameras built since 1954.

The Leica M-System has played a significant role in the development of the company’s performance in recent years. The annual figures have been correspondingly positive since the launch of the Leica M9 in September 2009 and are now registering record revenues.

The Leica M Monochrom in black chrome will be available from Leica dealers including the Leica Store Washington DC beginning in late July 2012.

Leica M-Monochrom specifications

Additional images

Press Release:

LEICA X2: THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE LEICA COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA

Solms, Germany (May 10, 2012) – Leica Camera AG presents the X2, a new addition to the X-line of compact digital cameras. Handmade at Leica’s headquarters in Germany, the Leica X2 features a new APS-C-format professional CMOS image sensor with over 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 MP). In combination with the high-performance Leica Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens, a classic focal length for photojournalism, this sensor ensures maximum image quality and sparkling brilliance. With its refined styling and high-performance technical features, the Leica X2 offers unsurpassed performance in a compact package.

The Leica X2’s autofocus system has also been enhanced, allowing the camera to adapt to all shooting situations with enormous flexibility and enabling fast, extremely precise and almost silent focusing. The camera’s profile is complemented by numerous setting options from full manual control to automatic functions and an intuitive handling concept. These features make the Leica X2 the ideal premium-class compact camera for discerning photographers who wish to concentrate completely on their subjects and appreciate creative and true-to-life pictures.

The CMOS image sensor of the X2 is unusually large for a camera in the compact segment. Despite its high resolution of over 16 megapixels, each individual pixel on the sensor is very large, allowing the X2 to gather more light. The resulting benefits include low image noise, a high dynamic range and accurate color differentiation. The crop factor of the sensor is 1.5 in comparison with 35-mm film format, meaning that the Leica Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens of the Leica X2 becomes a universal reportage lens with an effective 35-mm-equivalent focal length of 36 millimeters. This is considered to be a classic focal length amongst prime lenses and has captured innumerable iconic images. The moderate wide-angle character and natural rendition of dimensions by the high-performance lens of the X2 open up a broad spectrum of different options for capturing those decisive moments in outstanding, authentic and richly detailed picture quality.

As a result of its simple operating concept, the Leica X2 offers clearly laid-out functions and intuitive handling. At the same time, it offers an impressive range of automatic and versatile manual setting options. Thanks to the ease of switching between manual and automatic control, photographers can concentrate completely on composing their subjects and choosing the decisive instant to shoot in any situation. The dials on the top deck provide grip when setting the shutter speed and aperture. Moreover, changing the plane of focus, the white balance and other imaging parameters allows photographers to consciously influence the look or mood of their images. In live view mode, the generously sized high-contrast 2.7″ monitor offers photographers complete control at all times and a bright and detailed view, even in strong light.

The features offered by the Leica X2 provide greater creative freedom and a wide range of photographic options. For instance, the Leica X2’s large sensor and fast lens make it ideal for shooting in available light. The camera also features a pop-up flash that can be activated whenever an additional light source is required. If more lighting power and flexibility are required, the accessory shoe of the X2 offers full compatibility with the Leica SF 24D and SF 58 system flash units.

The Leica X2 is characterized by clear lines and an intensely focused design concept. The linearity of its design and its compact, handy form are reminiscent of the Leica M-cameras. This, in combination with its robust, all-metal construction and premium, high-grip leather trim makes the X2 a classic Leica camera in both looks and feel. The camera is available in a discreet black or elegant silver finish.

An extensive range of accessories is also available to adapt the Leica X2 to each photographer’s individual photographic needs and style. A new offering is the Viso-Flex high-resolution electronic accessory finder with 1.4 megapixels and a 90° swivel function for shooting from unusual angles. Also available is a bright-line mirror finder that can be mounted on the accessory shoe and ensures a bright and clear view at all times, with no drain on the camera battery. An accessory handgrip increases the hold and stability of the camera and makes it easier to shoot one-handed. Leica continues to offer a comprehensive range of bags and cases: a premium-quality black leather case to match the elegance of the X2, an ergonomically designed camera protector in untreated leather, an ever-ready case in organically tanned cowhide to protect the camera during use and a system bag that offers more room for the camera and a range of accessories.

Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®, a professional digital workflow solution for Apple Mac® OS X and Microsoft Windows®, is also included in the X2 package. This digital image processing software offers a wide range of functions for the management, processing and presentation of digital images. Leica X2 customers can download the software free from the Leica website after registering their camera.

The Leica X2 is available now through Leica dealers including the Leica Store Washington DC. The optional accessories will be available after the market launch of the camera.

Leica X2 specifications

Additional images

Optional hand-grip and optical viewfinder
Optional Viso-Flex viewfinder	Optional Viso-Flex viewfinder

Press Release:

LEICA V-LUX 40: COMPACT CAMERA WITH AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF FEATURES

Solms, Germany (May 10, 2012) – Leica Camera AG presents the V-Lux 40, a new addition to Leica’s digital compact camera portfolio. Incorporating numerous new features in comparison with its predecessor, the Leica V-Lux 30, this latest model offers greater performance of its 15.3-megapixel (effective 14.1 MP), 1/2.33″ CMOS sensor and a Leica DC Vario-Elmar 4.3–86 mm f/3.3–6.4 ASPH. lens with a zoom range now extended to 20×. As a result of the broadened range of focal lengths, now equivalent to 24 to 480 mm in 35-mm format, the Leica V-Lux 40 is a much more versatile camera. In addition, the LCD touch screen ensures the fast and simple handling of the camera. Its compact design, comprehensive functions and additional features, such as an integrated GPS module or video recording in full HD quality, make the V-Lux 40 the ideal companion for capturing lasting memories whether traveling the world or enjoying time with family at home.  

The Leica V-Lux 40’s new 15.3-megapixel (effective 14.1 MP), 1/2.33″ CMOS image sensor guarantees outstanding picture quality in all situations. It enables a higher dynamic range as well as particularly low-noise images at sensitivities up to ISO 3200. In comparison to its predecessor, the Leica V-Lux 40 now offers significantly improved image quality, even in low light.  Additionally, an autofocus speed of 0.1 seconds enables even faster focusing on moving subjects.

The enormous range of focal lengths covered by the V-Lux 40’s Leica DC Vario-Elmar 4.3–86 mm f/3.3–6.4 ASPH. zoom lens (equivalent to 24 to 480 millimeters in 35-mm format) makes it ideal for almost all photographic situations. For expansive landscapes, finely detailed macro studies at short distances or for shots of distant objects with its super-telephoto setting, this Leica lens with high-precision aspherical lenses and an image stabilizer delivers outstanding results for all still images and video recordings.

The Leica V-Lux 40 offers a comprehensive range of camera functions. Users can choose from a diverse selection of creative imaging options, from a continuous shooting rate of ten frames per second at full resolution and 60 frames per second in high-speed mode, to creative modes with effects like miniature, panorama and retro.
Ideal for capturing video, the Leica V-Lux 40’s entire 20× zoom range is available during recording. In addition, an integrated stereo microphone with an electronic wind noise filter guarantees a crystal-clear soundtrack. Videos can now also be saved in Internet-friendly MP4 format and uploaded directly to social media or mobile devices, for example, without any need for conversion.

An integrated GPS module completes the list of features and functions offered by the V-Lux 40, allowing users to save the geographical coordinates and local time of every shot captured in the Exif data of the image files.* In addition, the camera can display the sightseeing highlights of the immediate neighborhood (1,000,000 so-called ‘points of interest’). A DVD included in the package contains maps of important cities and regions. After transfer to an SD memory card, these can be uploaded to the camera and used for orientation in unfamiliar places. Photos can be stored in the maps as thumbnail images.

The new design of the Leica V-Lux 40 is dominated by classic black. Chromed elements set contrasting accents and complement the camera’s refined and timelessly elegant look. Particularly easy handling is ensured by a large, 3-inch LCD touch screen that allows users to select or set numerous functions in capture and review mode simply by touching controls displayed on the monitor screen. This oversized screen has a diagonal of 7.5 centimeters and its resolution of 460,000 pixels displays images with outstanding brilliance. As a result, the Leica V-Lux 40 is an ideal tool for reliable and precise assessment of images both during composition and after capture.

The Leica V-Lux 40 is available now from Leica dealers including the Leica Store Washington DC. The camera is supplied with an extensive software package comprised of Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 10 for still-image processing and Adobe® Premiere® Elements 10, designed especially for video processing. A strong and resilient leather case is also available as an optional extra.

* It is possible that GPS tagging may not function in the People’s Republic of China and neighboring regions. Satellite signal reception may be impossible, depending on the location. In such cases, the positioning data may be recorded inaccurately or not at all.

Leica V-Lux 40 specifications

Additional images

Press Release:

Leica announces the Leica M9-P: the essence of discretion

Designed particularly for professional photographers, new ultra-discreet version of
the Leica M9 added to Leica rangefinder portfolio

Leica today presents a new version of the world’s smallest, full-frame digital system camera: the Leica M9-P. This new model will sit alongside the Leica M9 in the company’s rangefinder portfolio, providing an alternative, even more discreet and resilient design that further reinforces the quintessential nature of the M9 – and particularly meets the needs of professional photographers. The new model will be available in a classic silver chrome or subtle black paint finish.

Offering the same technical specifications as the highly successfully Leica M9, the M9-P combines all the benefits of the original: compact size, full-frame, 18 megapixel 24 x 36mm sensor (35mm format), sophisticated image processing and robust construction, with features designed for the professional user or photographers who prefer a pure, even more unobtrusive styling.

The Leica M9-P includes a scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal covering on the LCD screen. This material is so tough that the screen can only be produced using special diamond cutting tools and is one of the world’s hardest materials. As a result, the sapphire glass LCD cover is extremely resistant to wear and almost unbreakable, meaning many years of reliable use. In addition, thanks to an anti-reflective coating on both sides of the cover, reviewing images on the display during composition and after capture is further improved, particularly in unfavourable lighting conditions.

The external covering of the body of the M9-P, finished in vulcanite leatherette, features a more coarselytextured finish that ensures a steady grip when shooting, making the M9-P feel particularly safe and secure in the hand.

A further understated feature of the Leica M9-P is its minimalist styling, which is focused on the most essential features. Many professional photographers using Leica cameras have been known to tape over the Leica ‘red dot’ logo to make their equipment as inconspicuous and discreet as possible. For this reason, the Leica red dot logo and the M9 lettering on the front have been omitted. Instead, the top plate is engraved with the Leica name in classic script form.

Since 1954, the Leica M system has represented an unmistakable, individual kind of photography and a very conscious photographic style. With a Leica M, the photographer becomes a ‘part of the action’ in the process of capturing challenging, authentic and creative images.

The rangefinder frames precisely the shot the photographer envisages, while allowing a clear view of the scene outside the viewfinder frame. This allows the photographer to predict the decisive moment and capture it discreetly and reliably at the right moment – in all fields of photography, from photojournalism, reportage and ‘available light’ to the capture of portraits and aesthetic, fine-art images.

Another significant advantage for unobtrusive photography is the almost silent shutter, a feature of both the M9 and M9-P. Moreover, when longer exposure times requiring an extremely steady camera stance are essential, only a slight pressure on the shutter release button in ‘soft release’ mode is required. Photographers can also select the most appropriate moment for re-cocking the shutter.

The functions of the Leica M are consistently constructed for extreme durability and a long working life. The highest quality materials, intricate manufacturing processes and meticulous manual assembly at Leica’s facility in Germany guarantee functional reliability for years to come.

In line with Leica’s commitment to system compatibility, almost all Leica M lenses built since 1954 can be used with the M9 and M9-P – an important factor in the enduring value of the M series. The 18 megapixel image sensor, specifically designed and developed for the M9, enables capture of the full 35mm film format without any compromise. All M lenses mounted on the M9 and M9-P therefore offer the same focal length as originally intended, and the enormous potential performance of the extensive M lens portfolio, with focal lengths from 16 to 135mm, can be fully exploited by both cameras.

Pricing and availability in the UK

The Leica M9-P (available in black paint or silver chrome) is scheduled to be available in the UK from June
2011 from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair: www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel:
020 7629 1351. A full list of authorised UK Leica dealers is available at www.leica-camera.co.uk. The UK
suggested retail price of the Leica M9-P is £5,395 including VAT.

Pricing and availability in the USA

The MSRP for the M9-P will be $7,995.00.

Loaded with special features, including degree-by-degree impact guides, environmental tips and quizzes, each DVD will appeal to fans of the original programs on the National Geographic Channel and public television stations, and as well as first-time viewers.
Titles include:

“Earth Report: State of the Planet 2009″
2008 was marked by astounding scientific breakthroughs in the understanding of our world — as well as by devastating reminders of how much the Earth has still to teach us. From advances in predicting earthquakes and typhoons to dazzling insights into the Northern lights and super volcanoes, stunning archival footage provides a window into the front line of science as National Geographic investigates the impact that human development has had on the environment and what is being done to protect our planet. The DVD packaging includes 20 percent less plastic than standard DVD packaging.

Street Date: April 28, 2009
Pre-Order Date: March 24, 2009
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 50 Mins.

“Human Footprint”
Have you ever thought about how much food, everyday products and fuel you’ve consumed during the course of your life? “Human Footprint” takes viewers on a step-by-step journey to illustrate the enormous imprint every American makes during their time on Earth. Incorporating surprising facts with playful visuals, this enlightening portrait reveals our level of consumption — and the simple changes we can all make to reduce our negative impact on the world. The narrator is Elizabeth Vargas. The DVD features eco-friendly packaging made of 100 percent recycled fiber and 55 percent post consumer waste. The plastic film is 100 percent compostable.

Street/Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $19.98
Run Time: Approx. 90 Mins.

“Six Degrees Could Change the World”
By the year 2100, many scientists believe that the Earth’s average temperature could rise by as much as 6 degrees Celsius. Join National Geographic as it leads viewers on a degree-by-degree journey to explore what each rising — and critical — degree could mean for the future of our people and our planet. With a sobering look at the effects of our world’s insatiable appetite for energy, “Six Degrees Could Change the World” explains what’s real, what’s still controversial and how existing technologies and remedies could help dial back the global thermometer. The narrator is Alec Baldwin. Special features include celebrity interviews, a degree-by-degree impact guide and everyday green living tips. The DVD features eco-friendly packaging made of 100 percent recycled fiber and 55 percent post consumer waste. The plastic film is 100 percent compostable.

Street/Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $28.99 Blu-Ray/$19.98 DVD
Run Time: Approx. 90 Mins.

“Strange Days on Planet Earth 3-Volume Collection”
In this three-volume set, actor-writer-director Edward Norton hosts six eye-opening episodes, each uncovering explanations behind some of today’s most puzzling environmental changes. “Strange Days on Planet Earth” explores the ways in which human life has affected the planet and how globally connected problems are personally relevant and urgent. It brings into focus the realization that the decisions we make today will affect all life on Earth for years to come. Episodes include “Invaders,” “The One Degree Factor,” “Predators,” “Troubled Waters,” “Dangerous Catch” and “Dirty Secrets.” Special features include photos of a changing Earth and an environmental quiz.

Street/Pre-Order Date: Available Now
Suggested Retail Price: $39.98
Run Time: Approx. 320 Mins.

“In a world where indigenous languages are in jeopardy of imminent loss at the rate of one every two weeks, it is crucial that we recognize the value of our indigenous and under-represented minority-culture communities and the cultural knowledge they provide us,” said Francene Blythe, director of the All Roads Film Project. “It has become the mission of All Roads over the past five years to seek out the stories of these communities and make them accessible to a broader audience. Since our inception, All Roads has reached thousands of people throughout the world through our festival and traveling photography exhibits. In the coming years we hope to create an even greater impact as we continue to search out these unique stories, for they help us gain not only a greater understanding of ourselves but also of our place in the world.”

Among this year’s standout films are “Under the Bombs,” a narrative film by Franco-Lebanese director Philippe Aractingi, shot in the midst of real-time mortar bomb blasts and machine gun fire in Lebanon; Student Academy Award-winning film “As We Forgive,” by Laura Waters Hinson, which explores the acts of reconciliation between the Hutu and Tutsi communities of Rwanda; “The Linguists,” a documentary by filmmakers Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller and Jeremy Newberger, who travel to remote villages in Siberia, India and Bolivia following two tenacious scientists on a quest to record languages on the brink of disappearing; and “La Americana,” a look at the emotional dilemma faced by immigrants, by director Nicholas Bruckman with director of photography John Mattiuzzi.

Other notable films are “What Was Promised,” a film by National Geographic Emerging Explorer and All Roads seed grantee Roshini Thinakaran, depicting the challenges faced by the female recruits of Iraq’s new security forces; “Sikumi (On the Ice),” a short by up-and-coming filmmaker Andrew Okpeaha MacLean (Iñupiaq); and Sundance audience favorite “Nikamowin (Song),” by director Kevin Lee Burton (Swampy Cree).

Also, this fifth-anniversary year, All Roads will include a program of “Persian Portraits,” featuring a collection of narrative shorts and a short-form documentary curated by the Documentary Experimental Film Center in Tehran. The festival will screen a number of animated shorts in addition to its roster of narrative and documentary shorts and features.

This year’s photography program features the work of 2008 All Roads Photography Program awardees Khaled Hasan (Bangladesh), Farzana Wahidy (Afghanistan), Alejandro Chaskielberg (Argentina) and Rena Effendi (Azerbaijan), whose work will be displayed on a digital monitor at various screening locations.

Hasan’s photo essay “Living Stone: A Community Losing Its Life,” focuses on the India-Bangladesh border community of Jaflong, whose inhabitants are struggling with the environmental, political and physical effects of the region’s stone-crushing industry. Wahidy’s exhibit, “Afghan Women,” explores the enormous pressures and perils faced by the women of her native land, who enjoy far fewer rights today than they did 30 years ago. “The High Tide: Native Islanders and the Community of the Paraná River Delta,” from Chaskielberg beautifully depicts a new culture — with its own laws and codes, a byproduct of unemployment and immigration — that has formed in this unique estuary, with a dense forest full of water and silence. Effendi’s essay, “Khinaliq Village — A Staircase to the Sky 2003-2006,” explores the effects of urbanization on the ancient village of Khinaliq in Azerbaijan, a village whose unique ancient culture is being threatened by the development of a luxury ski resort.

Advance tickets can be purchased now at the festival box office at 519 Cerillos Road, Santa Fe; by calling (505) 989-1495; or online at www.santafefilmfestival.com. Visit www.santafefilmfestival.com and www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads for specific dates and times. Tickets prices are $10 for individual admission, $75 for a 10-pack. Festival passes are on sale for $300 and $450. Call (505) 989-1495.

The All Roads Film Festival is part of the All Roads Film Project, a National Geographic program created to provide an international platform for indigenous and under-represented minority-culture artists to share cultures, stories and perspectives through the power of film and photography. In addition to providing a venue for their films, All Roads offers its filmmakers and photographers a series of networking opportunities and awards up to 10 seed grants a year to support the development and production of film and video projects by or about indigenous and under-represented minority-culture communities. Seed grant recipients are considered for inclusion in the All Roads Film Festival and other National Geographic-affiliated broadcast outlets. The All Roads Photography Program provides photographers with award money, cameras and photography equipment to assist with their fieldwork.

The Santa Fe Film Festival is a nonprofit that takes place Dec. 3-7, 2008, offering the best selection of independent films of all lengths — documentaries, narratives, international films, films about the artistic process, gala presentations of films from major distributors, retrospective screenings of tributees’ works, as well as educational workshops and varied opportunities for working filmmakers to network and reach out to the public. For more information on the festival, visit www.santafefilmfestival.com, powered by Desert Elements, or call (505) 988-7414.

“Welcome to Enurmino!,” by director Aleksei Vakhrushev (“Time When Dreams Melt,” “Birds of Naukan”), of Chukchi descent, won the audience favorite award for best feature-length film; “A Sketch of Wathone,” by director Kyi Phyu Shin ["Hna Khan Htat Ka Dar Thwar (The Sharp Knife on the Lips)"], of Burmese heritage, won for best short; and “As We Forgive,” by director Laura Waters Hinson, won the audience choice award.

Feature documentary “Welcome to Enurmino!” explores the plight of Russian villagers struggling to maintain their traditional Chukchi culture, while challenged by the changing landscape and their increasing isolation. The film screened at All Roads in Los Angeles and Washington and will screen as part of the All Roads program at the Santa Fe Film Festival, Dec. 3-7, 2008.

“A Sketch of Wathone” profiles Wathone, one of Myanmar’s best known painters, as he shares his thoughts on life, art and family. The film is Kyi Phyu Shin’s second documentary completed through the Yangon Film School. “A Sketch of Wathone” made its U.S. debut at All Roads in Los Angeles and Washington and will also be screened in Santa Fe.

“As We Forgive,” which also earned a Student Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences earlier this year, tells the story of two women as they come face-to-face with the men who slaughtered their families during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Waters Hinson, founder of Image Bearer Pictures, recently launched the Living Bricks Campaign, a multimedia viewer project to support reconciliation efforts in Rwanda. “As We Forgive” made its U.S. debut at All Roads in Los Angeles and Washington and will be screened in Santa Fe.

All Roads also honored four featured photographers with seed money and photography equipment to assist in their fieldwork. They are Khaled Hasan (Bangladesh), Farzana Wahidy (Afghanistan), Alejandro Chaskielberg (Argentina) and Rena Effendi (Azerbaijan).

Hasan’s photo essay, “Living Stone: A Community Losing Its Life,” focuses on the India-Bangladesh border community of Jaflong, whose inhabitants are struggling with the environmental, political and physical effects of the region’s stone-crushing industry. Wahidy’s exhibit, “Afghan Women,” explores the enormous pressures and perils faced by the women of her native land, who enjoy far fewer rights today than they did 30 years ago. Chaskielberg’s photo essay, “The High Tide: Native Islanders and the Community of the Paraná River Delta,” beautifully depicts a new culture — with its own laws and codes, a byproduct of unemployment and immigration — that has formed in this unique estuary, with a dense forest full of water and silence. Effendi’s essay, “Khinaliq Village — A Staircase to the Sky 2003-2006,” explores the effects of urbanization on the ancient village of Khinaliq in Azerbaijan, a village whose unique ancient culture is being threatened by the development of a luxury ski resort.

The photographers’ work was exhibited at the All Roads Film Festival in Los Angeles and Washington and can be viewed online at www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads.

The All Roads film awards are based on audience scores taken from the All Roads Film Festival in Los Angeles. The photography program awards are evaluated by the All Roads Photography Program selection committee. The All Roads Film Festival is sponsored by InterContinental Hotels.

Kicking off with a live concert by celebrated Somali hip-hop MC, griot and singer/songwriter K’NAAN in his only Los Angeles-area performance with songs from his new CD “Troubadour,” the four-day event will also feature an outdoor photography exhibit with works from four provocative new voices in the photography medium. Sicilian songstress Carmen Consoli will perform in an All Roads event Friday, Sept. 26, at Hotel Café in Hollywood.

“In a world where indigenous languages are in jeopardy of imminent loss at the rate of one every two weeks, it is crucial that we recognize the value of our indigenous and under-represented minority-culture communities and the cultural knowledge they provide us,” said Francene Blythe, director of the All Roads Film Project. “With that in mind, it has become the mission of All Roads over the past five years to seek out the stories of these communities and make them accessible to a broader audience. Since our inception, All Roads has reached thousands of people throughout the world through our festival and traveling photography exhibits. In the coming years we hope to create an even greater impact as we continue to search out these unique stories, for they help us gain not only a greater understanding of ourselves but also of our place in the world.”

Among this year’s stand-out films are “Under the Bombs,” a narrative film by Franco-Lebanese director Philippe Aractingi, shot in the midst of real-time mortar bomb blasts and machine gun fire in war-torn Lebanon; “The Linguists,” a documentary by filmmakers Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller and Jeremy Newberger, who travel off the map to remote villages in Siberia, India and Bolivia to follow two tenacious college professors on a quest to record languages on the brink of disappearing; and “As We Forgive,” an emotional tale of loss and reconciliation by Laura Waters Hinson, winner of the Student Academy Award.

Other films of note are “What Was Promised,” by National Geographic Emerging Explorer and All Roads seed grantee Roshini Thinakaran, depicting the challenges faced by the female recruits of Iraq’s new security forces; “Sikumi (On the Ice)” a short by up-and-coming filmmaker Andrew Okpeaha Maclean (Iñupiaq); and Sundance audience favorite “Nikamowin (Song),” by director Kevin Lee Burton (Swampy Cree).

This year All Roads will include a program of “Persian Portraits,” featuring a collection of shorts and a long-form documentary curated by the Documentary Experimental Film Center in Tehran. The festival also will screen a number of animated shorts in addition to its roster of narrative and documentary shorts and features.

All Roads will present the Los Angeles premieres of “Under the Bombs,” “The Linguists,” and “As We Forgive.” Australian feature “When Colin Met Joyce” will be making its North American debut. Other films debuting include the world premieres of “What Was Promised,” Burmese short “A Sketch of Wathone” and All Roads seed grant short “Keao”; the North American premiere of Russian feature “Welcome to Enurmino!”; and the Los Angeles premieres of Kurdish short “White Mountains,” Maori feature documentary “Guarding the Family Silver,” Dene short “Aydaygooay,” Bolivian short “Weaving Life,” Mexican short “Under the Open Sky,” Miq’maq animated short “Maq and the Spirit of the Woods” and Hawaiian short “Na ‘Ono o ka ‘Aina – Delicacies of the Land.”

This year’s photography program features the work of 2008 All Roads Photography Program awardees Khaled Hasan (Bangladesh), Farzana Wahidy (Afghanistan), Alejandro Chaskielberg (Argentina) and Rena Effendi (Azerbaijan).

Hasan will present his photo essay “Living Stone: A Community Losing Its Life,” which focuses on the India-Bangladesh border community of Jaflong, whose inhabitants are struggling with the environmental, political and physical effects of the region’s stone-crushing industry. Wahidy’s exhibit, “Afghan Women,” explores the enormous pressures and perils faced by the women of her native land, who enjoy far fewer rights today than they did 30 years ago. Chaskielberg’s photo essay, “The High Tide: Native Islanders and the Community of the Paraná River Delta,” beautifully depicts a new culture — with its own laws and codes, a byproduct of unemployment and immigration — that has formed in this unique estuary, with a dense forest full of water and silence. Effendi’s essay, “Khinaliq Village — A Staircase to the Sky 2003-2006,” explores the effects of urbanization on the ancient village of Khinaliq in Azerbaijan, a village whose unique ancient culture is being threatened by the development of a luxury ski resort.

For ticket information call (323) 466.3456 (FILM) or order online through www.fandango.com. A full festival schedule is available at www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads.

The All Roads Film Festival is part of the All Roads Film Project, a National Geographic program created to provide an international platform for indigenous and under-represented minority-culture artists to share cultures, stories, and perspectives through the power of film and photography. In addition to providing a venue for their films, All Roads offers its filmmakers and photographers a series of networking opportunities and awards a minimum of 10 seed grants a year to support the development and production of film and video projects by or about indigenous and under-represented minority-culture communities. Seed grant recipients are considered for inclusion in the All Roads Film Festival and other National Geographic-affiliated broadcast outlets. The All Roads Photography Program provides photographers with seed money, cameras and photography equipment to assist with their fieldwork.