Photography by Hamilton Welcome to the future. Are you ready to explore it?
ASCE and Los Angeles community members got their chance to step into the world of tomorrow during an exclusive IMAX 3D screening of Cities of the Future and gala event at the California Science Center on Wedneday evening, April 3.
"I was really amazed. I think it was a wonderful film," said Gurjot Kohli, a civil engineer at Stantec who attended the premiere. "This movie definitely reawakened me in terms of why I got into this field to begin with, seeing all the optimism and 'bright-eyed-ness' of those kids and how they are at such a young age. So I feel like not only are our cities going to be incredibly advanced in the future, but we'll have the young engineers ready to make it happen."
Photography by Hamilton Despite it being a giant-screen movie, Cities of the Future is anything but science fiction.
The film, produced by ASCE and MacGillivray Freeman Films and narrated by award-winning actor John Krasinski, allows audiences to explore the innovations civil engineers are designing now to build a better, more sustainable world. It also showcases L.A.'s leading role in engineering smart, sustainable cities of the future, making it the perfect location for such a star-studded premiere event.
“Los Angeles serves as an ideal focal point for the film due to its diverse population, complex urban challenges, and history of innovation. As a global city, L.A. represents a microcosm of many urban issues faced worldwide, such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and socioeconomic disparities,” said Yazdan Emrani, public works director and town engineer for the town of Woodside and ASCE Region 9 director.
“By showcasing innovative solutions and success stories in L.A., Cities of the Future can inspire development by demonstrating practical strategies that address these challenges while improving [the] quality of life for residents. Additionally, highlighting L.A.’s efforts can serve as a catalyst for collaboration and adoption of similar initiatives in other cities facing similar issues.”
The red-carpet premiere featured VIP badges, popcorn, a champagne toast, and a gala reception with meet-and-greets with Cities of the Future director Greg MacGillivray and the film's stars.
And with more than 300 people attending, the event was a resounding success. In short, it was a night to remember.
While the gala was an exclusive event, there are still plenty of opportunities to discover Cities of the Future. Select science centers and museums around the world are now screening the film. Learn more about where you can see Cities of the Future.
Photography by Hamilton
Photography by Hamilton Like Dream Big: Reimagining Our World, ASCE’s first film released in 2017, Cities of the Future, celebrates civil engineers' contributions to society and inspires the next generation to continue this mission of building a better tomorrow.
“My hope for the Cities of the Future film is to excite people about the civil engineering profession and to become a catalyst for a better future," Kaitlin Hannon, civil engineer for Los Angeles County Public Works, who as the Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch president played a key role in the event’s success.
"I would love to have young people watch the film and be encouraged to enter the field because they want to be innovative and make a difference in what our future looks like. I also hope that those of us who have been working in the industry are reinvigorated and challenge our ways of thinking, planning, and designing.”
How can you unlock the potential of the next generation? Send a kid to the future by donating to the ASCE Foundation. Your gift will help to grant free screenings of Cities of the Future to students from underserved communities.
Photography by Hamilton
Photography by Hamilton
Photography by Hamilton
