Web: www.titanicpigeonforge.com
Media resources (including photos): www.titanicpigeonforge.com/media
“How Titanic Became My Lifeboat” documentary trailer: https://vimeo.com/389069471
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Feb. 11, 2020
A life changing experience – Titanic “LEGO® Boy” returns to East Tennessee for premiere of documentary “How Titanic Became My Lifeboat”
Iceland’s Brynjar Karl Birgisson to also share his story of overcoming autism with 5,000+ area students during “Read Across America” campaign
MEDIA ALERT: See it first! You’re invited to attend a special, private “media sneak peek” of the “How Titanic Became My Lifeboat” documentary at 7:30 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 29 at Titanic Museum Attraction – Pigeon Forge. Members of the media: If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to Erin Freeman at efreeman@thinkackermann.com by Tues., Feb. 25.
It will then premiere for the first time to the public during a free screening (reservations required – call 800-381-7670 to reserve tickets) at 11 a.m. on Sat., March 7 at the Phoenix Theatre’s Forge Cinemas (2530 Parkway). Media is also invited to attend the public premiere and interview Brynjar, “LEGO® Boy.”
Pigeon Forge, Tenn. – Since it first appeared in the United States in 2018, more than two million Titanic Museum Attraction visitors have stood in awe of the World’s largest RMS Titanic LEGO® replica built entirely from 56,000 LEGO® bricks by Brynjar Karl Birgisson, a 10-year-old, autistic boy from Iceland. How his fascination with RMS Titanic became his lifeline to independence is revealed in an adventurous, new documentary that follows his journey into foggy, unchartered waters to test the limits of autism, announces Mary Kellogg-Joslyn, President, COO and Co-Owner of the Titanic Museum Attractions.
“’How Titanic Became My Lifeboat’ (click here for link to documentary trailer) will premiere on Sat., March 7 at 11 a.m. at Phoenix Theatre’s Forge Cinemas in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.,” said Kellogg-Joslyn. “The screening is free, but reservations are required.”
In addition to the documentary’s premiere, “LEGO® Boy” will also share his story with more than 5,000 area students during the national Read Across America campaign, which takes place March 2-7, 2020, explains Kellogg-Joslyn.
“During his stay in Pigeon Forge, Brynjar, now 17-years-old, will take an active role in the 2020 Read Across America project by engaging thousands of East Tennessee school students in interactive discussions of his amazing story,” said Kellogg-Joslyn.
The Read Across America campaign is an annual event designed to encourage students to read, observe, inspire and explore the world around them, just as Brynjar has throughout his life.
“The Titanic Museum Attractions have been strong supporters of the Read Across America campaign for five years and in 2020 we are especially happy to have arranged for Brynjar to address area students,” said Kellogg-Joslyn. “Brynjar will visit fourth grade and above students in Anderson, Blount, Cocke, Knox, and Sevier counties.”
Kellogg-Joslyn explains that this young man is truly remarkable, as he was unable to communicate when he started the RMS Titanic LEGO® replica project.
“He is now standing on stages across the world, telling his story, giving interviews and encouraging others to stretch their imaginations, toss their doubts, and accomplish their dreams,” said Kellogg-Joslyn.
ABOUT BRYNJAR and “HOW TITANIC BECAME MY LIFEBOAT”
Brynjar’s story began with an insatiable desire to escape the limitations of autism and become a part of the expressive, vibrant world around him. His fascination with RMS Titanic pointed the way, his untapped talents set wheels in motion.
As the giant RMS Titanic LEGO® replica began to take shape, Brynjar and his mother, award-winning filmmaker, producer and director, Bjarney Ludviksdottir, co-authored a book that focuses on Brynjar’s slow emergence from the grip of autism through the confidence building discipline of labor, accomplishment and success. Upon release of the book, My Autistic X- Factor, Brynjar received worldwide recognition and praise.
How Titanic Became My Lifeboat, the documentary premiering in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. on Sat., March 7, picks up the story and takes it to a whole new level. While there is no cure for autism, there are ways to challenge it. This documentary explores those possibilities with Brynjar and other young people who share their experiences being on the autism spectrum and how their talents elevated them.
“The world calls him ‘LEGO® Boy’ and that’s just fine with Brynjar,” said Kellogg. “After all, he spent a good part of his young life surrounded by thousands of LEGO® bricks, the building blocks of his monumental tribute to the 2,208 men, women and children who sailed on the RMS Titanic.”
The world’s largest RMS Titanic LEGO® replica, Brynjar’s handcrafted, giant, 26-foot by 5-foot masterpiece, can only be seen at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Reservations are strongly suggested. The museum attraction opens daily at 9 a.m. Tickets for the museum attraction are available online at www.titanicpigeonforge.com, or by phone at 800-381-7870.
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Titanic Museum Attraction: Cedar Bay Entertainment, LLC owns and operates the Titanic Museum Attractions in Branson, MO and Pigeon Forge, TN. A privately owned and operated entertainment and development company, Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, MO, the site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction.
