Grass Valley, Calif., January 17, 2018 – The final selections of films for screening at CAPE’s 5th annual Animal Film Festival (AFF)(http://www.animalfilmfestival.org) were announced yesterday. Notably ‘The Invisible Mammal’ by Kristin Tieche and ‘A Horse, A Convict, A Second Chance’ by Autumn Payne, both filmed in the Sacramento area. ‘The Invisible Mammal’ was shot in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and profiles the perils bats face and how humans can take action to help strengthen the species. Payne’s film ‘A Horse, A Convict, A Second Chance’ was filmed at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center and showcases the powerful human/animal connection between an inmate and a rescued horse. ‘The Walrus Whisperer’ is a Canadian film in the shadow of the famous documentary Blackfish that underscores the problematic use of animals in entertainment.
The 5th annual Animal Film Festival, produced by the non-profit Center for Animal Protection & Education (CAPE) comes to Grass Valley, February 17, 2018 at the Center for the Arts in downtown Grass Valley, CA. Twenty-two films from countries including Canada, United Kingdom and Australia exude compassion and courage while reexamining ideas regarding animals that many of us take for granted. Films chosen for screening at the AFF explore an aspect of animal protection, rescue, rights and the human/animal bond.
Thousands of dollars in award cash will be presented to filmmakers by Adam and Amber Tarshis of the Tarshis Foundation which has generously donated the funds for these prizes.
New this year, the AFF will screen a film for audiences 18 years and older about the Korean dog meat trade. The film, titled ‘Korean Dog Meat Expose’ by Australian director James Hymans, was secretly shot on iPhones and will be screened at 6:15 pm in the Off Center Stage Theater at the Center for the Arts. At 1:15 pm, also in this theater, will be a ‘whole audience’ virtual reality experience presented by Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) where the entire audience will witness first-hand the rescue of two piglets from an industrial farm. Access to this theater is included in the price of the All Day Pass ticket.
Joyce Murrell, longtime judge of the AFF says, “I learned so much from watching the films this year really enjoying the process. The messages that all creatures should be treated with kindness and respect was to me something I was happy to see within so many of the films. It made me feel so proud to be a part of the AFF.”
Shelley Frost, director of the Animal Film Festival, in reflecting back over the years since the festival began, can see its growth and impact. “This is a one-day event but those 12 hours are packed with all things animal. In celebration of our five-year anniversary, a retrospective of films from past years will be shown in a space off the lobby. And even though sitting watching films all day is fun and relaxing, we will have a yoga instructor lead the audience through stretches during the intermissions. Hot, delicious vegan food will be prepared and sold in the lobby by Chef’s Ramona and Jennifer Howard.”
This year the AFF received 246 film submissions of which 20 were selected. In addition, two films were invited to screen: “Dogs, Cats and Scapegoats” a feature film about the causes of companion animal overpopulation and “It’s A Potcake Life,” a short, uplifting film about dog rescue in the Bahamas.
The entire list of (22) Official Selections for the 2018 Animal Film Festival are: “A Horse, A Convict, A Chance for Change” (Autumn Payne, USA), “The Invisible Mammal” (Kristin Tieche, USA), “Dogs, Cats, and Scapegoats” (Hugh Dorigo, USA), “Broken Trust” (Michael Kastenbaum, USA), “Verge” (Chingtien Chu, USA), “Grey Future” (Tom Gough, United Kingdom), “A Southern Fix” (Michael Samstag, USA), “Foxed” (Dora Nightengale, United Kingdom), “Killing Games” (Camilla Fox, USA), “A Place in the Garden” (Christine Ciano, USA), “The Profanity Peak Pack” (Brooks Fahy, USA), “The Elephant in the Room” (Philippa Wilkinson, Australia), “Patrik Baboumian: Built by Plants” (Jonathan Rosenberry, USA), “A Day in the Wildlife: Nature Photographer” (Dustin Trayer, USA), “The Walrus Whisperer” (Adrian Pop, Canada), “Tainted Love” (Eleanor Paish, United Kingdom), “Korean Dog Meat Expose” (James Hyams, Korea, Republic of), “Drones Expose the Milk Industry” (Mark Devries, USA) “Can Dogs Be Vegan” (Asher Brown, USA), “Alena & Gizmo” (Chee-Wei Tay, USA), “It’s a Potcake Life” (Evelyn Osorio Vaccaro, USA) “The St. Louis Six,” (Joey Julius, USA).
Tickets are $25 for the All Day Pass; $15 Senior/Student/Military; $10 Evening Session only. For tickets or more information visit www.animalfilmfestival.org.
Proceeds from the festival support animals with special needs rescued by the Center for Animal Protection and Education (CAPE).
List of 2018 Sponsors:
Adam & Amber Tarshis Foundation, Peace Panther, The Union, Briar Patch Co-op, Grass Valley Courtyard Suites, Ross Marketing Associates, Swan Levine House, Caroline’s Coffee, Animal Place, Best Western Gold County Inn, Compassion Without Borders, Real Graphics, Scaps Dog & Cat Nutrition Dog Bakery, Dawn Lorraine Skin Care, KVMR Radio, Nevada County Pets in Need, Alternative Baking Company, Country Cattery, Sierra Mountain Inn, Lee Zasloff, Jim Myers Century 21, Redfin, Auburn Moving & Storage, Holiday Lodge, Motherlode Veterinary Hospital, Elan Clinic, Ursula Rabe, Veg Fair Santa Clara, Ben Franklin Craft Store, VegFund, YubaNet, Tractleads.
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 programs emphasize that 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.