Vanishing of the Bees

Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives.

Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis in an industry responsible for producing apples, broccoli, watermelon, onions, cherries and a hundred other fruits and vegetables. Commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables.

Vanishing of the Bees follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S. The film explores the struggles they face as the two friends plead their case on Capital Hill and travel across the Pacific Ocean in the quest to protect their honeybees.

Filming across the US, in Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind and mother earth. As scientists puzzle over the cause, organic beekeepers indicate alternative reasons for this tragic loss. Conflicting options abound and after years of research, a definitive answer has not been found to this harrowing mystery.

Director Bio
George Langworthy has produced, directed and filmed documentaries about the teenage environmental group Generation Earth, Holistic Therapies for AIDS, 16th Century Philosopher Giordano Bruno, Modern Dance Theatre and live performances of bands like the White Stripes, Train and Devo. His award-winning short film BREEZEWAY premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was broadcast on HBO, PBS, and Canal. As a cinematographer, his work has been seen on ABC’s 20/20 and the Warner Brother’s Short Circuit DVD piece on Rufus Wainwright. His work behind the camera includes feature length documentaries on the Austin music scene, a short documentary featuring Nobel Prize winning scientists, award winning stop motion animation and a lot of bees. George has edited several narrative feature length films, documentaries and music videos. He worked as a staff writer for the Channel 4’s Armstrong and Miller sketch comedy show and wrote the screenplay for the feature film Cake, which garnered the audience award for best feature from The Other Venice Film Festival. He brings passion, curiosity and creativity to his work as a filmmaker and strives to engage the minds of his audience as well as touch their hearts.