Could there be a more fitting way for nature lovers to kick off Valentine’s Day weekend than experiencing a trio of new, larger-than-life films debuting at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater?
Penguins: A Love Story 3D, Coral Sea 3D, and Lost Wolves of Yellowstone will all make their debut on Chattanooga’s largest screen on Friday, Feb. 13.
- Penguins: A Love Story 3D explores the lives of penguins residing far from the frigid reaches of the Southern Pole in Africa and Australia. When it seems as though every other bird has found their perfect match, Lenny, an African Penguin, must serenade and impress a special female with his signature love song. Viewers also visit coastal Australia, where humans and well-trained guardian dogs have devoted themselves to protecting colonies of Fairy Penguins, the world’s smallest penguin species. Penguins: A Love Story 3D is presented locally by CommonSpirit - Memorial Hospital.
- In Coral Sea 3D, audiences tour the remote islands off the coast of northeast Australia to experience a bustling community beneath the waves. The vibrant Coral Sea is home to the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and some of the world’s most important sanctuaries for Green Sea Turtles. On land, local communities are deeply connected to the ocean and work to safeguard the future of these beloved aquatic chelonians, one tiny hatchling at a time.“[Turtle conservationist] Steven [Amos] is an example of someone who appears ordinary, but he single-handedly is saving thousands and thousands of turtles,” says director Matt Tomaszewski. "That's a really inspiring message to all of us: that one person can make a difference.”
- Lost Wolves of Yellowstone examines the far-reaching environmental impact of reintroducing Gray Wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995, 50 years after the species disappeared from the park. Through archival 16mm footage, viewers see how local ranchers initially pushed back against the controversial reintroduction. Despite their resistance, biologist Mollie Beattie shows how this epic wildlife restoration project ultimately transformed Yellowstone's ecosystem for the better through a cascading effect on many other species.
Daily IMAX screenings on the hour begin on Friday, Feb. 13:
- Coral Sea 3D — noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Penguins: A Love Story — 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (additional 11 a.m. screening during Presidents Day weekend, Feb. 14-16)
- Lost Wolves of Yellowstone — 5 p.m.
Just weeks after Coral Sea 3D’s debut, visitors will be able to explore an enormous living reef, as well as a host of other incredible ocean oddities, in the all-new Scuttlebutt Reef gallery, opening March 7.
For a full-day — and night — at the Aquarium, guests can enjoy a love-themed, adults-only evening event, Nightlife: A Love Story, on Feb. 13. Featuring themed drinks, delicious bites, and activities such as friendship bracelet and Valentine-making stations, guests can learn about animal love languages while exploring the River Journey building from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX 3D Theater work in tandem to provide immersive, educational experiences that deepen guests’ understanding of the importance of water and wildlife. Guests wishing to experience a giant-screen adventure during their Aquarium visit can add on a 45-minute screening for $8 per ticket for both adults and youth.
To learn more about these films or for advance ticket purchases, visit tnaqua.org/imax
To learn more about the upcoming Scuttlebutt Reef gallery, visit tnaqua.org/exhibit/scuttlebutt-reef/