Whoopi Goldberg set to star in animated short film about saving environment

Whoopi Goldberg set to star in animated short film Asali: Power of the Pollinators about saving environment

Whoopi Goldberg is set to star in an upcoming animated short film, called Asali: Power of the Pollinators.

The 67-year-old actress has joined the cast of the film, alongside Monique Coleman, Ronen Rubinstein, Joy Odofu and Lupita Pineda, according to Variety.

The film tells the story of honey bee Asali after she meets a group of pollinators and a human environmental scientist. 

The unlikely group is able to save Asali, her family and their home from a deadly force.

The short film will be the directorial debut of activist Maya Penn who has pursued sustainability and environmental education over the past 15 years.

New role: Whoopi Goldberg is set to star in an upcoming animated short film, called Asali: Power of the Pollinators

Character: Maya released the trailer at South By Southwest during the Empowering the Next Generation to Build a Better Future featured session, featuring Whoopi voicing a dragon-like character

Character: Maya released the trailer at South By Southwest during the Empowering the Next Generation to Build a Better Future featured session, featuring Whoopi voicing a dragon-like character

She also founded the global eco-friendly brand Maya’s Ideas when she was only eight years old.

At the age of 16, Penn received a commendation from US President Barack Obama for outstanding achievement in environmental stewardship. 

As well as starring in and directing the feature, Maya is animating and producing the movie with her production company Upenndo! Productions.

Viola Davis and Julius Tennon will serve as executive producers.

Maya released the trailer at South By Southwest during the Empowering the Next Generation to Build a Better Future featured session, featuring Whoopi voicing a dragon-like character.

Last year, Whoopi starred in the film Till, which tells the story of a teenage boy who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955 for whistling at a white woman, and considered it to be a passion project.

The Sister Act star said: ‘I’ve only (ever) wanted to do stuff I’m interested in and stuff that I thought was interesting. It doesn’t necessarily have to be interesting to other people.

‘It only has to really interest me, that’s always been the same. So getting to do this was a gift because this was not my plan.’

Whoopi, who plays Emmett Till’s grandmother Alma Carthan in the film, revealed that her role in the movie changed over time.

She said: ‘At one point I was going to act, but it was years and years and years ago. By the time we got it, I’ve evolved into grandma.’

Asali: Power of the Pollinators comes after Whoopi starred another project last week.

She played Ms. Glen, Mark’s (Ames McNamara) music teacher on an episode of ABC’s hit show The Connors.

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