LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Baobab Studios proudly announced today the official global release of "Crow: The Legend". This award-winning story is now widely available online to consumers for the first time, offered as a traditional animated short film ( http://bit.ly/2RX73ZP) as well as an interactive virtual reality experience free to download within the Oculus Store ( https://ocul.us/2RX9QSR)

Released in conjunction with Native American Heritage Month, "Crow: The Legend" is based on the poignant Native American legend about the bird's cultural genesis and is the first of its kind to incorporate an indigenous worldview, according to Sarah Eagle Heart, CEO of Native Americans in Philanthropy, cultural advisor, and voice of "Luna" in "Crow". Through a partnership with Native Americans in Philanthropy ( https://nativephilanthropy.org), Baobab Studios aims to brings heightened awareness to culturally-important stories like "Crow", that have for so long lacked a major platform. 
 

Randy Edmonds, respected 84-year-old Kiowa-Caddo tribal elder and founder of the National Indian Urban Council, who voices "Narrator" in "Crow" explains, "All Native American tales have a tradition of deep meaning and that's why we tell the stories, sharing down the generations. When I look at the impact these legends have, the insights they represent, taking that storytelling to a modern medium is extremely exciting. The beautiful work being created -inspired by our folklore- is like nothing I've ever experienced in my many years." 

Crow, once the most revered animal in all the forest with his colorful plumage and melodic voice, must choose between himself and his fellow animals when tasked with saving them from a destructive endless winter. Realizing he is their only hope, Crow ventures in seek of help but the arduous trek irrevocably damages his voice and stunning colors. Embarrassed by his physical transformation, Crow ultimately learns that his self-sacrifice is far more beautiful and important than his appearance.   
 

"We are excited about the opportunity to honor the Native American storytelling tradition and to share Indigenous worldview with the passionate support of Native Americans in Philanthropy. By making both versions available, we are now able to share this powerful tale with audiences everywhere and give viewers the opportunity decide how to participate in Crow's journey in this holistic animation experience", said Baobab co-founder and "Crow" producer, writer and director Eric Darnell ("Madagascar" franchise, "Antz"). 
 

Native Americans in Philanthropy CEO Sarah Eagle Heart added, "The film released in both VR and 2D allows a mainstream audience to celebrate stories from the wildly underrepresented Native American community in Hollywood. I could not be happier that these films are available during Native American Heritage Month, which pays homage to the rich culture that indigenous people share." 
 

Featuring an original song by Executive-Producer John Legend, the project contains a diverse all-star cast of voice talent including: Legend as Crow; Oprah Winfrey who makes her VR debut as The One Who Creates Everything By Thinking; Sarah Eagle Heart (Native Americans in Philanthropy CEO) as Luna, a character named after Legend's daughter; Kiowa-Caddo Tribal Elder and lifelong Native rights crusader Randy Edmonds as Narrator; Liza Koshy (Liza on Demand) as Owl; Diego Luna ("Narcos") as Moth; Tye Sheridan ("Ready Player One") as Turtle; and Constance Wu ("Crazy Rich Asians", "Fresh Off the Boat") as Skunk. 
 

For more information about "Crow: The Legend" or to learn more about Baobab Studios please visit http://www.baobabstudios.com/crow

For press inquiries, please contact Alex Martinetti: amartinetti(at)rogersandcowan.com

About Baobab Studios
Two-time Emmy award winning Baobab Studios is the world's leading independent immersive animation studio. Founded by Eric Darnell (Co-Director of all 4 Madagascar films), the multi-award winning company won a second Emmy for the critically-acclaimed ASTEROIDS!, starring Elizabeth Banks and Ingrid Nilsen at the 2018 Emmy Awards. 

Baobab is also responsible for the Emmy-winning VR animation, INVASION!, starring Ethan Hawke which holds the record for most downloaded VR app in history.  Roth Kirschenbaum Films (Maleficent, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and the Huntsman) is slated to adapt INVASION! into an upcoming feature film. In addition to Crow: The Legend, Baobab debuted Jack at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, an interactive animation based on Jack and the Beanstalk, starring Lupita Nyongo. 

Baobab Studios was founded in 2015 by industry veterans Eric Darnell, Larry Cutler, and Maureen Fan, and has raised more than $31 million in venture capital backing.  Lauded as the "Pixar of Virtual Reality" (CNet, The Wall Street Journal), Baobab's executives hail from the leading lights of Fox Animation, Blizzard, Zynga, DreamWorks, and Pixar.  The company's advisors include Alvy Ray Smith (co-founder of Pixar), Glenn Entis (DreamWorks Animation co-founder), legendary Oscar-winning animator Glenn Keane, Mireille Soria (DreamWorks Animation Co-President), David Anderman (former Lucasfilm COO), Kevin Lin (Twitch co-founder), Jane Rosenthal (Co-founder Tribeca Enterprises), Bing Chen (former YouTube Global Head of Creator Development & Management), Jasmine Madatian (former EVP Comms, Amblin/Dreamworks), and Chris Milk (VR Innovator).

SOURCE PRWeb House E-Commerce