Mission Partners Entertainment Group (MPEG) and Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation are proud to announce that acclaimed filmmaker and Ansel Adams Award-winning photographer, Ian Shive, will direct the highly anticipated giant screen documentary Wetlands: Saving a Vanishing Wonderland. This captivating film will transport audiences to the world’s most pristine wetlands, highlighting their stunning biodiversity and the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these critical ecosystems.

Ian Shive, best known for his award-winning nature documentaries, is an executive producer and host of over 50 documentaries for Warner Bros. Discovery, including Nature in Focus, The Last Unknown, and Shark Week. Shive has created more than 40 films for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, showcasing America’s public lands and waters. His recent IMAX 3D film Hidden Pacific continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and his forthcoming Wild Rescue (Summer 2025) promises to be another groundbreaking work.

Mission Partners Entertainment Group is dedicated to creating visually stunning, impactful documentaries that engage audiences on important environmental and conservation issues. Currently, MPEG has two additional natural history films in production, along with several others in development, all designed to inspire global audiences and educate the next generation of conservationists.

"We are incredibly excited to partner with Ian Shive on Wetlands. His dedication to conservation and his visionary storytelling makes him the perfect director to bring this project to life. At Mission Partners, we believe in the power of film to drive change and inspire action, and we are confident that Wetlands will resonate deeply with audiences around the world, encouraging them to embrace the importance of preserving our natural world." said Antonietta Monteleone, CEO of Mission Partners Entertainment Group.

"Ian’s unparalleled expertise in capturing the essence of nature and his proven track record in conservation storytelling make him an ideal fit for Wetlands. This project represents an exciting step forward for us at MPEG, and we are thrilled to bring this important film to life. We believe that through Wetlands, we can inspire lasting change by showing audiences the beauty and urgency of protecting our planet’s most vital ecosystems," said Chris Dorsey Chairman of Mission Partners Entertainment Group.

We are thrilled that Ian is going to help lead this important film and movement to help save the Gulf Coast and Louisiana marsh. We also are proud that the film is being supported by Ducks Unlimited and The Water Institute as our conservation partners and by our lead corporate partners - Uline, Cox Enterprises and First Horizon Foundation. Without their support we could not make this film,” stated Charles Potter, President and CEO of Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation.

With this film, MPEG and McGraw aim to inspire viewers with the fragile beauty of wetland ecosystems, urging global audiences to take action in preserving these irreplaceable habitats for future generations. The film is scheduled to release in 2027. For more information about coastal Wetlands and other upcoming projects from Mission Partners Entertainment Group, visit www.mpegfilm.com

About Mission Partners

Denver-based Mission Partners Entertainment Group released Wings Over Water narrated by Michael Keaton in 2022, a joint venture between the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Audubon Society. MPEG and McGraw will soon release Secrets of Great Salt Lake narrated by Mike Rowe. The films lead conservation sponsor is Ducks Unlimited and lead corporate sponsor is Uline. The film will be distributed worldwide and will also feature as the anchor title for the soon-to-be-completed giant screen destination theater and interpretive center at Utah’s Antelope Island State Park. Two additional natural history films are currently in production with several more in the development stage, engaging more than a dozen key partners. Mission’s pipeline into more than 10,000 schools provides an unrivaled opportunity to inspire the nation’s youth and activate the next generation of conservationists and thought leaders.

About Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation

The Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, established in 1962, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to drive innovation and entrepreneurial thought in conservation.” It is dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife and their habitats. With a focus on the preservation of biodiversity, the Foundation supports innovative research, fosters sustainable land management practices, and promotes educational outreach on the importance of wildlife conservation. The Foundation’s work spans across North America and includes efforts in wildlife restoration, ecological research, and the protection of endangered species. By collaborating with government agencies, non-profit partners, and local communities, Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation strives to build a future where both wildlife and humans can thrive together in harmony. For more information, visit www.mcgrawfoundation.org.

About Tandem Stills + Motion, Inc.

Founded in 2010 by Ansel Adams award-winning photographer and filmmaker Ian Shive, Tandem has been a leading visual media company specializing in nature conservation, science, education and the outdoor recreation industry. The company has produced content of the highest pedigree including the award-winning digital series on Discovery Channel titled Nature in Focus, which explores our planet’s natural wonders. In March of 2021, Tandem took audiences to the remote Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge with the launch of the original documentary, The Last Unknown, on discovery+. In 2019, Ian and Team Tandem led several expeditions to some of the world’s most remote coral atolls for several films for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, as well as the giant-screen film, Hidden Pacific, which brings to life in IMAX 3D the vibrant marine national monuments at the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean — thriving ecosystems filled with colorful coral reefs, large colonies of birds, and threatened species that depend on these habitats for survival. For more information visit tandemstillsmotion.com