FIRST: The Story of the London 2012 Olympic Games

Olympic Documentary Film: Every two years, the most talented athletes from around the world prepare to follow their dreams and take their place in history at the Olympic Games. The only film about the London 2012 Olympic Games supported by the International Olympic Committee, “FIRST: The Story of the London 2012 Olympic Games ” follows a dozen first-time Olympic athletes on their journey from their homes in different corners of the globe to meet their fate in London.

Presented by NCM Fathom Events, New Moon and the United States Olympic Committee, this exclusive one-night event in select cinemas nationwide on Thursday, May 30, at 7:30 p.m. local time, features the uplifting stories of 12 young athletes. The event includes personal interviews with U.S. swimmer Missy Franklin, gymnast John Orozco, boxer Queen Underwood and Australian BMX rider Caroline Buchanan as they discuss how the Olympic Games changed their lives forever.

Tickets for “FIRST: The Story of the London 2012 Olympic Games“ are available at participating theater box offices and online at FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change ). The event will be broadcast to more than 550 select movie theaters across the country through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network.

Directed by Caroline Rowland, this documentary gives audiences unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to some of the greatest moments of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The IOC granted Rowland the rights to film the documentary of the London 2012 Olympic Games – seven years after producing the acclaimed films for London’s bid to host the Olympic Games in 2005. In the six weeks she spent with the athletes leading up to the London Games, Rowland filmed 60 hours of footage featuring the athletes, their families, coaches and friends and had unique access to film hundreds of hours of coverage of the events at London 2012.

“I can’t wait to see ‘FIRST’ and relive the exciting events of last summer,” said Missy Franklin, four-time Olympic gold medalist. “Not only am I honored to be a part of this film, but I’m also excited to experience the Olympic journeys of the other amazing athletes involved in this project.”

Scored by Sacha Puttnam and with a stunning contemporary soundtrack, “FIRST” captures the London Olympic Games as a recollection, evoking the emotion and magic experienced at the Olympic Games by the following athletes:

Chad le Clos, South African Olympic gold medalist in the 200 butterfly, is one of the FIRST athletes featured in this film.

Missy Franklin – USA – Women’s Swimming 

John Orozco – USA – Men’s Artistic Gymnastics

Queen Underwood – USA – Women’s Boxing Lightweight

Caroline Buchanan – Australia – Women’s BMX  

Chad le Clos – South Africa – Men’s Swimming

David Rudisha – Kenya – Men’s Athletics 800m

Katie Taylor – Ireland – Women’s Boxing Lightweight

Laura Trott – Great Britain – Women’s Track Cycling

Christophe Lemaitre – France -Men’s Athletics 200m

Majlinda Kelmendi – Albania – Women’s Judo  

Heena Sidhu – India – Women’s Shooting 10m Air Pistol

Qiu Bo – China – Men’s Diving 10m Platform 

*Athlete bios are available here.

“‘FIRST’ is a sports documentary with soul that follows these extraordinary athletes as they meet their fate in the swimming pool, boxing ring, gym and on the track,” said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of NCM Fathom Events. “This exclusive in-theater event features stunning sports imagery from inside the London Olympic Park that will give audiences a new perspective on the dreams and determination that lead these athletes to the greatest sporting event in the world.”

About National CineMedia (NCM)
National CineMedia (NCM) operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom Events  present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM’s theater advertising network covers 183 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes over 19,300 screens (approximately 18,500 digital). During 2012, approximately 710 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters in which NCM currently has exclusive, cinema advertising agreements in place.  The NCM Fathom Events live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is comprised of over 740 locations in 172 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing 41 entertainment-related websites, online widgets and mobile applications.  National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 46.9% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit ncm.com or FathomEvents.com . (NCMI-E)

About New Moon
New Moon was established in 1996 and has risen to become one of Britain’s most successful sports film production companies.  New Moon’s association with the London Olympic Games started in 2005, with the short films for the bid to host 2012 Olympic Games. ‘Sport at Heart’ and ‘Inspiration’ which were considered to have played a vital role in winning the Games for London. Between them, the two films have won over 30 international awards.

About the USOC
Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the U.S. Olympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. As such, the USOC is responsible for the training, entering and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, while serving as a steward of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements throughout the country. For more information, visit TeamUSA.org.

This is an unedited press release.