National Geographic Channel climate change feature documentary and Oscar contender Before the Flood will have an unprecedented premiere, launching not only on Nat Geo on Sunday, October 30, but commercial free across digital and streaming channels in 171 countries and 45 languages. The film, produced and directed by Fisher Stevens along with producer Leonardo DiCaprio, continues Nat Geo’s push into premium programming that engages and inspires. Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Global Networks, explains Nat Geo’s new strategy, and how Before the Flood aligns with that vision.

Cynopsis: How did the Before the Flood project come about?
Courteney Monroe: We were really fortunate that the producers gave us an early look. As soon as we watched it, we knew instantly that National Geographic was its rightful home. It represents exactly the type of feature documentaries we are now making: provocative, important and engaging stories that align with our brand and are told by the world’s greatest storytellers. At National Geographic, we believe in the power of storytelling to change the world, and Before the Flood has the opportunity to do just that. 

Cynopsis: What elements in this film do you expect will make it particularly impactful?
Monroe: Not even I fully appreciated the power of having one of the most famous movie stars in the world tackle a topic like this. Leo says in the film that when you raise the topic of climate change, people’s eyes tend to gloss over. But when Leonardo DiCaprio is the one talking about the issue, people pay attention. His passion for and commitment to the issue is infectious, and he communicates the science and the issues surrounding it in a highly engaging and accessible way. That combined with the incredible roster of people he speaks with in the film – from President Obama to the pope to the secretary-general of the United Nations – will enable this film to have tremendous impact on a wide, global audience.

Cynopsis: Was the release timed to the election?
Monroe: Yes. Not to make a political statement per se but rather to ensure we arm people with the facts so that they can make informed decisions. National Geographic has been inspiring people to care about the planet for 128 years, so it’s not surprising that the issue of climate change is important to us. We are the first generation to experience the effects of climate change and likely the last generation in a position to stop it. And the significance is far beyond rising sea levels – it has implications for the global economy, our national security and more. So this film is a great vehicle for us to educate and inform people in the U.S. and beyond.

Cynopsis: Is there a target audience?
Monroe: The issue of climate change affects absolutely everyone on the planet. So our goal is for as many people around the world as possible to see this film. Which is why we announced Monday that we are making this film available – commercial free – on every platform we can. It will air on our network globally this Sunday at 9 p.m., but we are also making it available for free the same day for one week on our website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, iTunes, Hulu, Google Play and more. We share Leo and Fisher Stevens’ passion for this issue and are proud to provide access to the film to such a wide audience. 

Cynopsis: How is the film being marketed differently?
Monroe: In addition to our unique and unprecedented upcoming distribution plan, we have been actively sharing the film in marketplace for the past two months. We were thrilled the film was invited to three different film festivals – Toronto, London and the Hamptons. We also premiered the film at the White House as part of its first South by South Lawn event, which included a conversation with the president and Leo on this subject. We also partnered with theSkimm and Rock the Vote to sponsor college screenings across the country – and by our premiere on Sunday, more than 200 colleges will have screened the film. Additionally, we hosted special screenings with the filmmakers in Miami, London, Paris and Los Angeles, and we held our New York premiere at the United Nations, which was an incredibly special experience. The United Nations secretary-general co-hosted the event with us and gave the opening remarks – not your typical movie premiere! We also worked with the National Geographic Society to make available for free to classrooms relevant educational materials not only for Before the Flood but also for the second season premiere of Years of Living Dangerously, which by no coincidence also premieres this Sunday. Plus, we are actively engaged in a social campaign with our corporate partners at 21st Century Fox. For every mention or hashtag of Before the Flood on social media, we will donate $1 to two worthy organizations – Pristine Seas and the Wildlife Conservation Society. So our efforts behind this film are quite extensive, which is a testament to how proud we are of the film; how proud we are to be partnering with Leonardo DiCaprio, Fisher Stevens and the other filmmakers; and how strongly we feel about this issue.

Cynopsis: Nat Geo already had a strong brand identity. But do you think it’s accurate to say that with premium projects like Before the Flood, Mars and your scripted series Genius, it’s amplified?
Monroe: Absolutely. These shows mark the turning point in the transformation of our network and demonstrate that we are now on our way to achieving our vision of becoming the world’s leading destination for premium science, adventure and exploration programming. And the most important word to underscore is premium. Our new strategy is built on quality and distinctiveness and on living up to the promise of the National Geographic brand. The caliber of creative talent we are now working with on our programming is astounding, and that combined with the power and global reach of our brand makes it an incredibly exhilarating time to be a part of this network. 

Cynopsis: What has the reaction of advertisers been to such big-event programming?
Monroe: Our new premium direction is definitely gaining the attention of advertisers, as are the unparalleled opportunities we can offer them by leveraging the full National Geographic Partners portfolio, from our magazine to our massive digital and social footprint.

Cynopsis: Why is it important for people to watch this film?
Monroe: We are the first generation to experience the effects of climate change, and the last generation in a position to stop it. I hope that by bringing this extraordinary film to the largest global audience possible, we are successful in informing and inspiring people to take action.