GRASS VALLEY, Calif., January 20, 2015 – Final selections for the second annual Animal Film Festival (http://www.animalfilmfestival.org) were announced today, notably “Cowspiracy,” the groundbreaking feature-length environmental documentary; “Jim Morris: Lifetime Fitness” about the famed octogenarian professional bodybuilder and animal activist; and “The Goat Trilogy,” award-winning shorts from Wales about a man who learns to share his life with an unusual companion animal.
The second annual Animal Film Festival – the only film festival of its kind – comes to Grass Valley February 28, 2015 at the Center for the Arts. The 24 official selections, representing seven nations, range from hard-hitting to fantastically funny, independent films, comedies, documentaries, and work by emerging artists that explore aspects of animal protection, rescue, rights, and the human/animal bond.
Attending the festival will be filmmakers and VIPs including Morris www.gymmorris.com) a 15-year vegan for health and ethical reasons, who holds professional titles of Mr. America, Mr. USA, Mr. International, and won the Mr. Olympia masters at age 61. (Mr. Morris is also available for media interviews.)
“The Animal Film Festival is an exceptional showcase for urgent issues including the impact of our public policies on animals and ecosystems, and an opportunity for audiences to see films about subjects they may not encounter at the multiplex,” said Sally Mackler of national nonprofit organization Predator Defense. Predator Defense produced two films in this year’s festival, “Exposed: USDA’s Secret War on Wildlife” and “The Imperiled American Wolf.”
Shelley Frost, director of the Animal Film Festival, believes that not all animal films have to be graphic – or even serious – to make a point.
“This festival brings together the independent film community and the animal protection community to celebrate the stories of animals – and believe me, animals of every species, from elephants to marine mammals to goldfish to dogs, have astounding stories to tell, important stories,” said Frost. “Many people expect films about animals to be tearjerkers, but truly clever films educate and inspire us to change and take action, even when they are adorable or comical.”
The complete list of selections for the 2015 Animal Film Festival are: “A Life of Your Choosing” (Miles Levin, USA), “Advocat!” (Michael Oosterom and Zachary Barton, USA), “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret” (Keegan Kuhn and Kip Andersen, USA), “Death for a Trophy” (Marta Ariza, United Kingdom), “Dustin” (Michael Fritzsche, Germany), “Estrella” (Roberto Chinet, Spain), “EXPOSED: USDA’s Secret War on Wildlife” (Paul Garrett, Brooks Fahy, USA), “HEAL! Veterans Speak about PTSD” (Vicki Topaz, USA), “Jim Morris: Lifelong Fitness” (Ryan Vance, USA), “Joaquin Drowns” (Joaquin Phoenix for PETA, USA), “98% Human” (BBDO for PETA, USA), “Red” (Hossein Keshavarzi, Iran), “Sea the Truth” (Claudine Everaert, Netherlands), “Sit, Stay, Ride: The Story of America’s Sidecar Dogs” (Eric Ristau, USA), “Sniffles” (Jeremy Galante, USA), “Struggle for Existence” (Giulo Gobbetti, United Kingdom), “Tales of the Sand” (Elodie Turpin, Canada), “The Goat Trilogy” (James Button, United Kingdom), “The Imperiled American Wolf” (Brooks Fahy and Paul Garrett, USA), “The Matchmaker” (Claire Andrae, Germany), and “The Orange Gunny” (Mehrdad Zahraei, Iran).
Attendees can also support animal rescue programs by bidding on silent auction items, making donations for bottles of wine and vegan chocolate from local producers, while learning about CAPE’s animal protection efforts. Following the festival, a touring version of the festival will show a selection of films at special events throughout the country.
Proceeds from the festival support animals with special needs rescued by the Center for Animal Protection and Education (CAPE).
For tickets or more information visit www.animalfilmfestival.org.
A promotional video is available at http://youtu.be/cZ5KowUdQU8
About CAPE
The Center for Animal Protection and Education (CAPE) (www.capeanimals.org) works to save the lives of individual animals and to educate people about ways in which they can alleviate animal suffering. Founded in 1992, CAPE has helped thousands of animals. Those who are older, injured or recovering from an illness are placed into new, loving homes through CAPE’s foster and adoption programs. In 2012 CAPE established the CAPE Animal Sanctuary in Grass Valley, California, a permanent home for dozens of animals with special needs and burros removed from their native habitats on public lands by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. CAPE also offers educational opportunities to inform people about issues animals face in society such as the Animal Film Festival, Animal Eyes TV, and local volunteer programs. CAPE believes all animals have the right to a long, full life, free from pain and suffering. To learn more or donate please visit www.capeanimals.org.
