Filmmakers and Former Astronauts Scheduled to Appear
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 4, 2021) — The inspiring true story of how renowned Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols pioneered the NASA recruiting program to hire people of color and the first female astronauts for the space agency in the late 1970s and 1980s will screen as part of the City of Orlando’s celebration of women’s history month and the important contributions women have made in the Central Florida community.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando present Woman In Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA, on Thursday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Dr. Phillips Center’s Frontyard Festival™. The evening will celebrate the nationwide release of the film and include appearances by former Senator and astronaut Bill Nelson, former astronaut and NASA Deputy Administrator Frederick Gregory, Nicole Stott — the first astronaut to live Tweet from space – and other special guests.
Directed by local filmmaker, Todd Thompson, Woman In Motion chronicles the remarkable, untold story of how Star Trek actress Nichols transformed her sci-fi television stardom into a real-life science career when, in 1977, she embarked on a campaign to bring diversity to NASA. Nichols formed the company Women In Motion, Inc. and recruited more than 8,000 Black, Asian and Latino women and men for the agency. Nichelle and her program continue to influence the younger generation of astronauts as well, including Mae Jemison, the first female Black astronaut in space.
In addition to Nichols, Woman In Motion features notable celebrities, activists, scientists and astronauts including Neil deGrasse Tyson, George Takei, Pharrell Williams, Martin Luther King III, Al Sharpton, Vivica A. Fox, Walter Koenig, Rod Roddenberry, Michael Dorn, Guy Bluford, Charles Bolden, Ivor Dawson, Frederik Gregory and Benjamin Crump. The film currently enjoys a 98% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earned numerous awards during its film festival run.
This film screening is part of Women’s History Month, which Mayor Dyer proclaimed to be celebrated through the month of March in the City of Orlando. “The City of Orlando has a long history of women residents who have helped advance the city and played a key role in shaping The City Beautiful over the years,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Women have and continue to serve the community in many different ways, building a stronger Orlando for all who call it home. This Women’s History Month reaffirms the city’s commitment to assure that rights and privileges are available to women and all residents equally and that Orlando remains an inclusive, welcoming place for all.”
“Woman In Motion is a great American story with incredible global impact,” said Thompson. “As a Florida filmmaker focused on telling inspiring stories and generating a continuous flow of work for local cast and crew, I’m thrilled to be sharing Nichelle’s story with the Orlando community.”
Tickets are free to view the film, but those interested should visit drphillipscenter.org/woman-in-motion to RSVP. Attendees will be assigned to a socially distanced box for up to five people.
The evening is sponsored by Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Walt Disney World, elspaces, TyFy Studios, Moxē Integrated Marketing, Orlando Pride, Orlando Film Commission, CREW, Mitsubishi Power, HDR and Siemens.
For a copy of the City of Orlando Women’s History Month proclamation, click here.
WHEN & WHERE:
March 1 – March 31, 2021
Women’s History Month
City of Orlando
Thursday, March 11, 2021 Gates open at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7:00 p.m.
Woman In Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA Film
Dr. Phillips Center’s Frontyard Festival™, 445 South Magnolia Avenue
About Stars North™
Stars North™ is an award-winning, independent motion picture production company based in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1999, the company develops and produces original creative content and is committed to telling inspirational stories that enlighten audiences and make a positive social impact.
Stars North™ aspires to develop and produce content that supports growth in the local economy and generates a continuous flow of work for cast and crew. Woman In Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA, the company’s most recent project, is an award-winning documentary about how Star Trek‘s Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura) changed the face of the NASA space program by asking the simple question: “Where are my people?” Woman In Motion was released theatrically nationwide and is available on all major on-demand and digital platforms. Stars North™ is currently in production on a slate of feature-length dramatic, documentary and multi-part series projects, including PRE FAB!, The Highwaymen, Del Shannon – The Runaway and What Hugh Knew.
About Dr. Phillips Center’s Frontyard FestivalTM
An innovative, live-entertainment event designed to re-engage artists and guests in a safe setting, Frontyard FestivalTM takes place in a first-of-its-kind, socially distant—and visually stunning—outdoor venue on three acres in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to featuring local artists, the festival has jump-started national and regional touring work, with appearances by reggae artists The Wailers featuring Julian Marley; country’s Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser on the Cadillac Country Tour; Philly jam band The Disco Biscuits; and rock legends Foreigner, who appear in May. Guests purchase tickets in their own private boxes, where they can order and have food and drinks delivered directly to them. AdventHealth is the festival’s presenting sponsor, with significant contributions from Orlando’s Downtown Development Board and Orange County.