FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OMNIFEST 2015 KICKS OFF JANUARY 9, BRINGING FIVE GIANT SCREEN FILMS TO
THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA S OMNITHEATER

Media preview of brand-new D-Day: Normandy 1944 film is December 16 at 4 p.m.

Saint Paul, Minn. From January 9 through February 19, the Science Museum of Minnesotas William L. McKnight-3M Omnitheater will host one of its most popular traditions. Omnifest 2015, an annual giant screen film festival, will feature five films running in rotation on the Omnitheaters 90-foot domed screen. Tickets go on sale Thursday, January 1. Media information and images are now available at www.smm.org/media.

Omnifest 2015 viewers will get a front-row seat to experience larger-than-life adventures from the mysterious monarch overwintering site in the remote Mexican mountains to the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. Included in this years festival is the Science Museums own The Greatest Places, along with the brand new D-Day: Normandy 1944, and the popular The Living Sea, Hubble, and Flight of the Butterflies films. With such a diverse film line-up, Omnitheater viewers of all ages and interests will find something to enjoy, making it an ideal family destination this winter.

New! D-Day: Normandy 1944
On June 6, 1944, the largest Allied operation of World War II began in Normandy, France. Using a blend of animation, computer graphics and live-action images, D-Day: Normandy 1944 brings this monumental event to the Omnitheaters giant screen for the first time ever. Viewers will discover how this landing changed the world. Narrated by Tom Brokaw, the film pays tribute to those who gave their lives for our freedom a duty of mercy and gratitude. Please note: A media preview screening of D-Day: Normandy 1944 will be held on Tuesday, December 16 at 4 p.m. Please RSVP to Sarah Imholte at simholte@smm.org.

The Greatest Places
Visitors are invited to ride along on a journey to seven of the worlds most dynamic landscapes in The Greatest Places. This Science Museum of Minnesota original production blends trips to Tibets Chang Tang Plateau, South Americas Iguazu Falls and Amazon River, and the enormous icebergs of Greenland with forays to the worlds tallest sand dunes in the Namib Desert, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and the island nation of Madagascar.

The Living Sea
Narrated by Meryl Streep and featuring the music of Sting, The Living Sea immerses viewers in the magic of the underwater world and celebrates the beauty and diversity of the Earths oceans. Viewers will learn how ocean waters are connected by currents, tides, and water cycles. Theyll meet humpback whales, jellyfish, and other mysterious inhabitants of the ocean. And theyll accompany the United States Coast Guard on an unforgettable rescue training mission.

Hubble
Hubble will dazzle viewers with its awe- inspiring imagery of the cosmos from our own celestial neighborhood to galaxies billions of light years away. From the comfort and safety of their Omnitheater seats, theyll watch astronauts from the Atlantis STS-125 crew as they perform some of the most important and difficult tasks in NASAs history. Hubble will change their view of our universe. Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Flight of the Butterflies
Flight of the Butterflies tells the story of a determined Canadian scientist, Dr. Fred Urquhart, and his 40-year quest to find the overwintering destination of millions of monarch butterflies. Viewers will follow the monarchs perilous journey from Canada through the United States to the remote mountains of the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico. Theyll see Dr. Urquharts lifes work unfold as he recruits legions of citizen scientists to help him unravel one of sciences great mysteries. And theyll discover Minnesotas heartwarming connection to this incredible story of endurance and perseverance.

Omnifest 2015 is presented by U.S. Bank.

Visitor Information

Tickets are $8 for adults and $7 for kids ages 4 to 12 and seniors. Subsequent same-day films are 15% off of the original price. Science Museum members receive free tickets for one Omnitheater film per day for each person covered under the membership.

Omnifests five films will run in rotation, Tuesday through Sunday (note: the Science Museum and Omnitheater are closed on Mondays). Find a complete schedule at www.smm.org/omnifest

As with all Omnitheater showings, advance reservations are strongly recommended and are available by visiting www.smm.org or calling (651) 221-9444.

The Science Museum of Minnesota is the regions leading museum attraction. Its William L. McKnight-3M Omnitheater, which features a nine-story domed screen and a state-of-the-art sound system, is one of only four convertible dome theaters in the world. The museum is located at 120 West Kellogg Boulevard in downtown St. Paul , on the banks of the Mississippi River. For museum hours, directions, and visit information, visitors can call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.