The film is about a homeless shelter and residential drug treatment facility in Seattle. Mike Johnson (the Expedition Team Leader who is featured in the film) has created a unique opportunity for residents to train for an epic hike to summit Mt. Rainier one year later. The hope is that the focus and commitment for the climb will give them the internal and external strength to help them maintain a lasting sobriety. This documentary is equal parts heart breaking and heart pounding… it’s extreme in every way!

A NEW HIGH is premiering at the LA Film Festival on Sunday, June 14th at 1:15pm. There will also be a Press and Industry screening on Thursday, June 11th at 2:30pm if you’re able to see the film for coverage.

We will be hosting a press day for A NEW HIGH on Monday, June 15th from 11am-1pm. Directors Samuel Miron & Stephen Scott Scarpulla

will be available for interviews as well as the films lead subject Mike Johnson. Please let me know if you are able to attend for interviews. We are also able to set up phoners should that be preferable or if you are not on-site in LA. We may have a screener link available as well if you are planning on interviews but can’t attend in-person.

  **Documentary Competition Selection**

LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL SCREENINGS

Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 1:15pm at Regal Cinemas LA LIVE, Theater 8 **WORLD PREMIERE**

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 4:20pm at Regal Cinemas LA LIVE, Theater 10

Directors: Samuel Miron & Stephen Scott Scarpulla

Subject: Mike Johnson

Producers: Philip Erdoes, Eamon Downey, Rebby Gregg

Runtime: 100 minutes

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ANewHighDoc

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ANewHighDoc

Synopsis:  What does it take to climb 14,400 ft. up one of the highest peaks in the U.S.? Mike Johnson, director of special projects at The Union Gospel Mission of Seattle is determined to find out.  Residents of this homeless shelter and residential drug treatment program have often been in treatment before, every day is a battle to stay sober and off the streets. Johnson develops a program that challenges the residents to make the impossible a reality: to summit Mt. Rainier. Rigorously training for one year, the residents hope that the focus and commitment of this climb will give them the internal and external strength to help them maintain a lasting sobriety.