The Principality Of Monaco Proudly Supports The World Premiere Of Disneynature's OCEANS

HOLLYWOOD, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- As 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of Monaco's world-renowned Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, it is especially fitting that the Principality, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Oceanographic Institute Foundation Albert I, Prince of Monaco – all proud, longtime supporters of OCEANS – joined to celebrate the world premiere of this extraordinary motion picture.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100420/NY89795)

On Saturday, April 17, the star-studded blue carpet screening of "Disneynature's Oceans" at the legendary El Capitan Theatre included the film's narrator, Pierce Brosnan, the duo who sing the film's theme song, "Make A Wave", Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas — along with his brothers Nick and Kevin — renowned oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, Sylvia Earle, the grandson and granddaughter of famed ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Fabien & Celine Cousteau, the world's foremost ocean artist, Wyland along with some of the film's crew members and high-ranking executives from the Walt Disney Company, including president and CEO Bob Iger, chairman of the Walt Disney Studios Rich Ross and president Alan Bergman and executive vice president and general manager of Disneynature Jean-Francois Camilleri. Representing the Principality of Monaco was Maguy Maccario, vice president of the US chapter of the Prince's Foundation and consul general in New York. Stars who brought along their children included Brothers & Sister star Gilles Marini, actress and model Amber Valetta, actress Lolita Davidovich and film director husband Ron Shelton, and actress Joely Fisher. Some of the producers and crew expected from Europe, including co-director Jacques Cluzaud, were unable to attend due to flight cancellations as a result of the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

The screening was followed by a private reception at the home of Keri Selig and Oceana Board Chair, Keith Addis. Some of Hollywood's top executives, talent and VIPs had the opportunity to learn more about the ongoing environmental efforts of the Monegasque government and make a donation through a luxury silent and online auction which benefited the US chapter of the Prince's Foundation.

Guests learned about His Serene Highness Prince Albert's personal environmental commitment and the international efforts of his eponymous foundation to combat climate change, address water management and desertification issues and the loss of biodiversity.  Prince Albert recorded a personalized greeting of welcome and thanks and Ms Maccario addressed the guests.  Others in attendance included actress Radha Mitchell and representatives from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation including Irmelin DiCaprio. Disneynature's OCEANS opens nationwide on Earth Day, April 22. 2010.

About OCEANS

Disneynature, the studio that presented the record-breaking film "Earth," brings OCEANS to the big screen on Earth Day, 2010.  Nearly three-quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water and OCEANS boldly chronicles the mysteries that lie beneath.  Directors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud dive deep into the very waters that sustain all of mankind — exploring the harsh reality and the amazing creatures that live within. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan and featuring spectacular never-before-seen imagery captured by the latest underwater technologies, OCEANS offers an unprecedented look beneath the sea in a powerful motion picture that unfolds on April 22, 2010.  For more information, visit disney.com/Oceans, become a fan on Facebook: facebook.com/Disneynature or follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Disneynature.

About The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation was established in 2006 by Prince Albert to continue the Principality of Monaco's legacy of environmental stewardship and its commitment to conserve and preserve the world's natural environment and resources. The Foundation supports sustainable and ethical projects especially in the Mediterranean Basin, the Polar regions and the world's least developed countries. Its focus is on three main challenges: climate change and developing renewable energies; combating the loss of biodiversity; and water management and fighting desertification. The Foundation has extended its international outreach by opening chapters in Europe (France, Switzerland, the UK, Italy and Germany), in Canada and, in 2008, the United States of America. Since its inception, 130 projects have benefited from Foundation grants totaling more than $US23 million. www.pa2f.org

About the Principality of Monaco

The Principality of Monaco, with its idyllic Cote d'Azur location has a rich sporting and cultural legacy – from the F1 Grand Prix and Tennis Masters to Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic and Opera companies – and, for more than 150 years, a deep commitment to protecting the environment. Long before ecological and environmental issues became world headlines and a cause celebre, Monaco's "Navigator Prince", Albert I, sailed the globe's oceans seeking ways to preserve them. More recently, Prince Rainier III ensured Monaco was at the forefront of environmental awareness and protection. During his 56-year reign, and alongside the Principality's artistic and sporting evolution, Monaco became one of the most environmentally sensitive countries in Europe and one of the first nations to use reforestation to preserve its spectacular mountainous backdrop. The Principality aspires to become a model state as far as environmental preservation and conservation are concerned. To this end, the Government, and all in Monaco are continuing to be actively involved in the issues which relate to conservation and sustainable development on a daily basis. www.visitmonaco.com.

About the Auction

The auction included two unique and environmentally-conscious vacation packages with 100% of proceeds benefiting the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation-USA.  The Mediterranean Escape to Monte-Carlo and Saint-Tropez, a dream vacation for 2 with round-trip business class tickets to Nice on Swiss International Air Lines, helicopter transfers to Monaco, 3 nights at the four-star Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo with dinner at Black Legend Monaco, 2 nights at the legendary Hotel Byblos in Saint-Tropez with treatments for 2 at the Byblos Spa by Sisley Cosmetics plus membership in Le Club Diamant Rouge de Monaco. A "Green" Road(ster) Trip to Napa Valley comprised a "guilt-free" weekend getaway for two to the Napa Valley, driving the high-performance electric sports car, Tesla Roadster, and staying overnight at Bardessono, California's first and only LEED-Platinum hotel plus 2 luxurious Hermes beach towels especially created for the Santa Aguila Foundation to conserve and preserve the world's beaches and coastlines.

Our auction partners:

Swiss International Air Lines, Inc - www.swiss.com

Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo - www.metropole.com

Black Legend Monaco - www.black-legend.com & Hotel Byblos Saint-Tropez - www.byblos.com/Groupe Floirat

Le Club Diamant Rouge de Monaco - www.monacoauction.com

Monaco Government Tourist Office - www.visitmonaco.com

Tesla Motors - www.TeslaMotors.com

Bardessono - www.bardessono.com

SOURCE Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation - USA