Colorado Public Television to Debut Vanishing of the Bees

With Live In-Studio Guests Filmmaker George Langworthy & Colorado Beekeeper Tom Theobald

Denver (August 5, 2014) – Colorado Public Television (CPT12, Channel 12 PBS) will present the United States debut of the definitive film that documents the disappearance of honeybees and its potentially disastrous effects on our food supply, Vanishing of the Bees, on Wednesday, August 13 at 7 pm. Filmmaker George Langworthy and Colorado beekeeper Tom Theobald will be live in our studio from 7-9 pm.

Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives. Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis in an industry responsible for producing apples, broccoli, watermelon, onions, cherries and a hundred other fruits and vegetables. Commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables.

Vanishing of the Bees is narrated by actor, Ellen Page, and follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S. The film explores the struggles they face as the two friends plead their case on Capital Hill and travel across the Pacific Ocean in the quest to protect their honeybees.

“Bringing thought-provoking content to Colorado is at the heart of our mission,” said Shari Bernson, Director of Development for Colorado Public Television. “When the content can also act as a catalyst for action on topics like the environment that we care about at CPT12, it’s a win-win. We’re committed to presenting well-researched material to our statewide audience.”

Filmed across the US, in Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind and mother earth. As scientists puzzle over the cause, organic beekeepers indicate alternative reasons for this tragic loss. Conflicting options abound and after years of research, a definitive answer has not been found to this harrowing mystery.

The film has been accepted into major film festivals including the International Wildlife Film Festival, the Colorado Environmental Film Festival and the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival. Together with Filmmaker George Langworthy, the project was co-directed and produced by Maryam Henein who were joined by a team including William Grazecki (editor), Holly Mosher (executive producer) and Peter J. Heller (co-executive producer).