Film Memorializing Oldest White Oak Wins Award at Impact DOCS Competition
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LA JOLLA, Calif. - Californer -- (La Jolla, CA, 07/31/20) – Under the Great Oak has won a prestigious Award of Merit from The Impact DOCS Awards Competition. The award was given for Michael Reynold's moving feature-length documentary about the life and death of America's oldest white oak tree. Under the Great Oak features exceptional cinematography, insightful interviews, and an original Americana soundtrack.

"I believe we can take heart from the story of the Great Oak and how one community responded to loss and change, during this challenging time for our country," Reynolds said. "We are woven into the fabric of history when we participate in our community."

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Impact DOCS recognizes film, television, and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Documentaries were received from 30 countries, including veteran award winning filmmakers and fresh new talent.  Entries were judged by highly-qualified and award-winning professionals in the film and television industry.

In winning an Impact DOCS award, Reynolds joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award including the Oscar winning director Louie Psihoyos for his 2016 Best of Show – Racing Extinction, Oscar winner Yael Melamede for (Dis)Honesty – The Truth About Lies, and Emmy Award winner Gerald Rafshoon for Endless Corridors narrated by Oscar winner Jeremy Irons, and many more.

Rick Prickett, who chairs Impact DOCS, had this to say about the latest winners, "The judges and I were simply blown away by the variety and immensely important documentaries we screened. Impact DOCS is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world from powerhouse companies to remarkable new talent. Impact DOCS helps set the standard for craft and creativity as well as power catalysts for global change. The goal of Impact DOCS is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve for their dedication and work."

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Reynolds has worked in film and television for 10 years, but never had a project so close to home. Literally. "I could see the Great Oak from my home," he reminisced. "When I heard the tree was coming down, I reached out to everyone I worked with on other projects. I told them, this is a once-in-six-hundred-years occurrence. We have to document it for future generations."

Under the Great Oak is distributed by 1091 Pictures and is available streaming and on DVD. For more information visit GreatOakMovie.com.