Ptolemaic Productions and Therapy Studios announced today the February 2011 release of their much-anticipated film Transcendent Man. Directed by Barry Ptolemy, Transcendent Man chronicles the life and controversial ideas of inventor, futurist, and author Ray Kurzweil.

On February 3rd, Transcendent Man will embark on a multi-city global tour beginning in New York and followed by San Jose, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Boston, London, and Toronto. Each screening of the critically acclaimed film will include a personal appearance by Ray Kurzweil speaking on accelerating technology and its impact on society.

The film will be digitally distributed via iTunes and Movies On Demand starting March 1st, with a DVD release on May 24th. (See below for tour details.) Social-media agency DigiSynd is handling marketing for the film, launching a social-media campaign in conjunction with the tour. WME’s Global Finance & Distribution Group and Music department brokered the distribution pacts for the film with digital retailers, in addition to booking the U.S. tour.

This release and marketing strategy demonstrates what has been described by The New York Times as a new paradigm in film distribution, utilizing social media and digital platforms to engage audiences via emerging technologies.

In Transcendent Man, Ptolemy follows Kurzweil around the globe as he presents the daring arguments from his bestselling book, The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology. Kurzweil predicts that with the ever-accelerating rate of technological change, humanity is fast approaching an era in which our intelligence will become increasingly non-biological and millions of times more powerful. This will be the dawning of a new civilization, enabling us to transcend our biological limitations.

In Kurzweil’s post-biological world, boundaries blur between human and machine, real and virtual. Human aging and illness are reversed and we vastly extend human longevity. Throughout the film, Kurzweil maintains a radically optimistic view of the future, while emphasizing the importance of addressing inherent dangers.

Director Barry Ptolemy says, “I reached two powerful conclusions after reading The Singularity is Near. The first was that this was the most profound book I had ever read; and the second was that as a filmmaker I had to turn these ideas into film. Ray inspires me; his is the uniquely human story of our species struggling to break through barriers and transcend our limitations.”

Ptolemy explores the social and philosophical implications of these changes and the potential threats they pose to human civilization in dialogues with world leader Colin Powell; technologists Hugo de Garis, Peter Diamandis, Kevin Warwick, and Dean Kamen; journalist Kevin Kelly; and musician Stevie Wonder. Award-winning American composer Philip Glass contributes original theme music that mirrors the depth and intensity of the film.

Since its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Transcendent Man has drawn critical acclaim. During its worldwide festival tour, Transcendent Man screened to sold-out audiences at Tribeca in New York, the American Film Institute Festival (AFI Fest) in Los Angeles and the International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) in Amsterdam. The film was lauded as “one of the top ten documentaries of the year” by the International Documentary Association (IDA), and “prophetic, [and] mind-bending,” by Fast Company.

Transcendent Man Tour Details: Each event will include a presentation by Ray Kurzweil, a screening of the film, and a celebrity-moderated Q&A with director Barry Ptolemy and Ray Kurzweil. For ticketing and more information, visit: transcendentman.com.

February 3, 2011 (Thursday) — New York : Time/Life Building, 1271 Avenue of the Americas (at Sixth Avenue), New York, NY 10020

: Time/Life Building, 1271 Avenue of the Americas (at Sixth Avenue), New York, NY 10020 February 13, 2011 (Sunday) — San Jose : The Tech Museum, The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater, 201 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113

: The Tech Museum, The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater, 201 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113 February 16 -17, 2011 (Wednesday-Thursday) — Los Angeles : Laemmle Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025

: Laemmle Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025 March 10, 2011 (Thursday) — Washington, D.C. : Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, 600 I Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

: Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, 600 I Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 March 21, 2011 (Monday) — Boston : The Coolidge Corner Theater, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446

: The Coolidge Corner Theater, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446 April 4-5, 2011 (Monday-Tuesday) — London : London Science Museum IMAX Theater, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom

: London Science Museum IMAX Theater, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom Toronto, Canada: Dates TBA

“One of the top ten documentaries of the year” — International Documentary Film Festival

About Ptolemaic Productions: Ptolemaic Productions is an independent film production company based in Los Angeles and founded by Barry and Felicia Ptolemy in 2006. Their work includes feature and documentary films. Ptolemaic Productions is the producer of Transcendent Man.

About Therapy Studios: Therapy Studios is an award-winning post-production company whose work spans commercial, feature and online media. The West Los Angeles, CA based company was founded in 2005 by Joe DiSanto, John Ramsay, Wren Waters and Doobie White, who are also the film’s Executive Producers. Therapy also provided editorial, design, and post-production services for TRANSCENDENT MAN.

About WME: WME represents elite artists from all facets of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, music, theatre, publishing, and physical production. WME also advises some of the world’s most recognized consumer brands to create entertainment-based marketing solutions.

About Ray Kurzweil: Ray Kurzweil is one of the world’s leading inventors and futurists, with a 25-year track record of accurate predictions. Called the “restless genius” by The Wall Street Journal and “the ultimate thinking machine” by Forbes magazine, Kurzweil was selected as one of the top entrepreneurs by Inc. magazine, which described him as the “rightful heir to Thomas Edison.” Inventor of the first CCD flat bed scanner and many other firsts, Kurzweil is an inductee in the National Inventors Hall of Fame and recipient of the National Medal of Technology, the Lemelson-MIT Prize (the world’s largest for innovation), and 19 honorary doctorates and awards from three U.S. presidents. Kurzweil has written four bestselling books.

Adapted from materials provided by Ptolemaic Productions