Jon Batiste to Narrate American Amazon, Bringing His Signature Voice to Epic Giant Screen Documentary Featuring the South's Wildest Secrets

New film from Grizzly Creek Films, PBS and distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films, opens in select IMAX and giant screen theaters starting November 13

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MacGillivray Freeman Films, the world's leading independent producer and distributor of giant screen films, announced today that acclaimed musician, composer, and storyteller Jon Batiste will narrate and serve as Executive Producer on American Amazon, the sweeping new documentary from Grizzly Creek Films and The WNET Group's award-winning Nature series for PBS. The feature film is slated to premiere in select IMAX® and giant screen theaters and museums beginning November 13, 2026, and the two-part Nature mini-series will release on PBS in early 2027.

Batiste's distinctive voice and deeply expressive artistry will guide audiences through one of North America's least explored and biologically rich regions—the vast network of wetlands spanning Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and the Carolinas. A Louisiana native, Batiste brings a powerful emotional resonance to this immersive journey, elevating the film's celebration of nature, culture, and human connection to the ecosystem.

Four years in the making, American Amazon reveals an ancient and mysterious landscape defined by towering two-thousand-year-old cypress trees, labyrinthine flooded forests, a network of wild rivers, and an astonishing array of wildlife. From the mass migration of swallow-tailed kites—the world's only social raptor—to the elusive behaviors of American black bears in the swamp, the film uncovers a world teeming with life, discovery, and enduring surprises.

"Jon Batiste brings the American Amazon to life; his creativity, passion, and energy invite us to fall in love with this wild and mysterious place that is truly the world's best kept secret," said the film's director, writer, and co-producer Eric Bendick of Grizzly Creek Films. "His voice is a perfect match for all the drama and soul-stirring beauty of this landscape, allowing audiences to connect with the untamed spirit of the wild South."

Drawing on the filmmakers' extensive exploration in the region, American Amazon presents a remarkable collection of natural history stories—many never before captured on film. Together with Batiste's narration, the film offers an experience that is both epic in scale and deeply personal.

"Jon's ability to move between joy, wonder, and reflection makes him an ideal narrator for this story," said co-producer Thomas Winston of Grizzly Creek Films. "He brings a unique perspective that amplifies the film's message of appreciation and stewardship. American Amazon marks an exciting new chapter in our ongoing collaboration with Jon—and there's more to come."

"American Amazon shines a light on one of the most ecologically important and least understood regions in North America," said Fred Kaufman, Executive Producer of Nature. "Jon brings a rare authenticity to this story. His voice captures not only the wonder of the natural world, but also the deep cultural connection between the people, places, and wildlife that make the American South so extraordinary."

"I love introducing people to the swamp. Growing up in Louisiana, I've always felt a deep connection to the landscapes, culture, and spirit of my home," said Jon Batiste. "I think the South is sacred soil. American Amazon reveals the wild side that many people have never seen. It's a world of extraordinary beauty, mystery, and life – hiding right in our own backyard. We're celebrating the power of nature, creativity, and human connection – and this is just the beginning!"

Jon Batiste is an eight-time Grammy, Academy, and Emmy Award–winning singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist known for his genre-defying music. His 2025 album, Big Money, won the Grammy Award for Best Americana Album. In film, Batiste will next compose the score for Amazon MGM's The Thomas Crown Affair, directed by Michael B. Jordan. From 2015 to 2022, he served as bandleader and musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

"Having worked with Jon previously on our giant screen film America's Musical Journey, I've seen firsthand the incredible artistry and range he brings to every project," said Shaun MacGillivray, President of MacGillivray Freeman Films. "He is an extraordinary talent, and his ability to connect with audiences through music and storytelling makes him the perfect voice for American Amazon."

More than a visual spectacle, American Amazon is a celebration of a fragile and irreplaceable ecosystem—and a call to action to protect this landscape – before it's too late. By sharing the region's untold stories and extraordinary biodiversity, the film aims to inspire audiences to reconnect with nature and recognize the importance of preserving these vital landscapes for future generations.

With MacGillivray Freeman Films leading distribution, American Amazon will roll out to leading science centers, museums, and giant screen theaters beginning November 2026.

About Grizzly Creek Films
Grizzly Creek Films specializes in filmmaking that marries compelling storytelling, dynamic characters, and unparalleled imagery. From their home base in Montana to locations around the world, the company produces films defined by authentic emotion, heart-pounding action, and breathtaking natural wonders.

About Nature
Since 1982, Nature has pioneered a television genre that is now widely emulated in the broadcast industry, bringing the natural world to millions of viewers. The series has won more than 800 honors from the television industry, the international wildlife film communities and environmental organizations, including 21 Emmys and three Peabodys. Nature is available for streaming concurrent with broadcast on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS App, available on iOS, Android, Roku streaming devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO. Classic episodes are available on various FAST channel platforms and on PBS Passport. Nature is a production of The WNET Group.

About MacGillivray Freeman Films
MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world's foremost independent producer and distributor of original giant screen films for IMAX® and other large-format theaters. For more than 50 years, the company has been creating immersive, visually stunning films designed to educate, entertain, and inspire audiences around the globe. Its films have won numerous international awards including two Academy Award^® nominations and three films inducted into the IMAX Hall of Fame, including Everest, the highest grossing giant screen documentary film of all time. MacGillivray Freeman's films are known for their artistry and celebration of science and the natural world. It is the first documentary film company to reach the one-billion-dollar benchmark for worldwide box office.

Media Contact:
Lori Rick
MacGillivray Freeman Films
949-494-1055

SOURCE MacGillivray Freeman Films