Today, Disney+ announced that the critically acclaimed and heartwarming film “Blink” from National Geographic Documentary Films will premiere December 26, 2024 on Disney+ in Canada. The streaming service will feature a special English audio description version from launch, offering additional accessibility to audiences. The original version of the documentary will also be available on the platform with French subtitles.
The feature documentary from directors Edmund Stenson and Oscar® and BAFTA Award-winner Daniel Roher was released in over 250 theatres across the U.S. and Canada by Walt Disney Studios in October. Produced by Oscar and BAFTA Award-winners Melanie Miller, p.g.a., and Diane Becker, p.g.a., for Fishbowl Films, alongside MRC and EyeSteelFilm, “Blink” premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival going on to screen at Camden International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Hamptons International Film Festival and London Film Festival, among others. Releasing this holiday season, “Blink” is a film to be enjoyed with the whole family.
Hailed as “heartwarming” by Indiewire, “moving” by Variety and “profound” by Collider, “Blink” features French Canadian couple Edith Lemay and Sébastien Pelletier and their children, Mia, Léo, Colin and Laurent. Mia developed eye problems at the age of three and was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at age seven, a rare, incurable disease that leads to severe visual impairment. When her younger brothers Colin and Laurent received the same diagnosis, the family’s world changed forever. In the face of this life-altering news, they decided to set out on a journey around the world to build their visual memory and experience all its beauty while they still can.
“We were so happy to see how “Blink” resonated with theatrical audiences of all ages this fall, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with National Geographic to bring it to Disney+,” said directors Stenson and Roher. “There’s no better home for this film, and we like to imagine that families across the world will huddle around their screens this holiday season and laugh, cry and explore the world with the endlessly inspiring Lemay-Pelletier family.”
“We are delighted to bring this heartwarming film to our television and streaming audience after its impactful theatrical run,” says Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president of Documentary Films for National Geographic. “‘Blink’ is the perfect family-friendly film going into the holidays and embodies the spirit of adventure and exploration at the heart of the National Geographic brand. We can’t wait for audiences everywhere to be inspired by the remarkable Lemay-Pelletier family as they journey around the world and into an unknown future.”
Initially delayed by the global pandemic, the family revised their plans countless times before setting out in March 2022 without an itinerary. They worked together to compile a bucket list of destinations and activities that guided their travels, with no idea too out there: swimming with dolphins, hot air ballooning, surfing, seeing the sunrise on a mountain, and Laurent’s suggestion to drink juice on a camel. “We never found out where this crazy idea came from, but it was very dear to him and made us all laugh,” Lemay said.
The film follows the family over the course of a year as they traverse 24 countries, filling their visual memories with breathtaking locations and once-in-a-lifetime encounters. Their destinations included Botswana, Cambodia, Canada (Montreal and Kuujjuaq), China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Laos, Namibia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, South Korea, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States (New York City), Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Maximizing their ground transportation, the family avoided flying as much as possible. One of their goals was also to meet people by staying in guest houses and homestays rather than hotels wherever possible. Throughout their journey, the family’s love, resilience and unshakeable sense of wonder ensure that their uncertain future does not define their present.
“Blink” features Edith Lemay, Sébastien Pelletier, Mia Pelletier, Léo Pelletier, Colin Pelletier, Laurent Pelletier, François Lemay and Pauline Sirois. The film is directed by Edmund Stenson and Academy and BAFTA Award-winner Daniel Roher. It is produced by Academy and BAFTA Award-winners Melanie Miller (p.g.a) and Diane Becker (p.g.a) for Fishbowl Films, in association with MRC and EyeSteelFilm. Co-producers include Ann Rogers and Christina Radburn, with Madison Horton and Kelsey van den Bergh serving as associate producers. Music is by Tamar-Kali, with additional music created by Hunter Hanson and Steve Wright. It is edited by Ryan Mullins and Miranda Yousef (ACE). Jean-Sébastien Francoeur serves as director of photography. Executive producers include Amit Dey and Eyesteel’s Bob Moore. Carolyn Bernstein serves as executive producer for National Geographic Documentary Films.
Since its inception in 2017, National Geographic Documentary Films has been lauded around the world for telling timely, gripping and globally relevant stories. It released the Academy, BAFTA and seven-time Emmy® Award-winning film “Free Solo,” the Academy Award-nominated and Peabody Award-winning “Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” the Academy and BAFTA Award-nominated and Peabody and DGA Award-winning “Fire of Love,” and the Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning film “The Cave.” In 2024, its slate included “Sugarcane” which has collected 17 awards at film festivals to date, as well as “Endurance,” which premiered in October at London Film Festival. In recent years, the film banner’s slate has also included the duPont-Columbia Award and two-time Sundance Award winner “The Territory,” BAFTA nominees “The Rescue” and “Becoming Cousteau,” Emmy Award winners “The First Wave,” “LA 92” and “Jane” and many other critically acclaimed features and shorts.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com