How the 2025 Cat and Dog Film Festivals Are Inspiring Change — One Tail at a Time
/At Broadway Stages, we understand film festivals' pivotal role in driving creativity and innovation within the film industry. In addition to catering to the interests of film buffs, these events provide a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work, often serving as the first step toward gaining recognition and distribution. Film festivals foster connections among industry professionals, creating opportunities for collaboration that align with our mission to support storytelling and production excellence. As a cornerstone of the film community, Broadway Stages is proud to highlight initiatives that promote cultural exchange and fuel the growth of the industry we love. Today, we tell you about the 9th Annual New York Dog Film Festival and the 7th Annual New York Cat Film Festival.
Last fall, the SVA Theater in Chelsea hosted two of the cutest and fluffiest film festivals on the circuit — the 9th Annual New York Dog Film Festival and the 7th Annual New York Cat Film Festival. After their New York City premieres, the festivals hit the road, traveling across the country so animal lovers all over can experience the joy, the sadness, and the silliness inherent in the selection of short films. In each city, 10% of every ticket sold benefits a local animal rescue.
Recently, the festivals made their way to the historic Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse in Arlington, Virginia. Dozens of filmgoers attended May 6 in their finest feline frocks and May 7 in their coolest canine couture to support the Animal Welfare League of Arlington and watch 90 or so minutes of short films that ran the gamut from the absurd to the profound. The 36 selections come from all over the world and include a mix of live action and animated films, some barely a minute long and others clocking in at nearly 20 minutes. The filmmakers range from seasoned vets like Oscar-winning animator Joan Gratz to up-and-coming documentarians and content creators.
At Broadway Stages, we support filmmakers at all stages of their careers and are proud to play a role in getting artists' stories told. We particularly appreciate when films have such a positive impact on communities, such as these festivals raising money for local animal rescues and encouraging people to find their new best friend and beloved family member at the local shelter.
The introspective films offer simple yet powerful messages to viewers about how having a furry friend by their side simply makes life better. Read four takeaways below, and find out if the dog or cat festival is coming to a city near you.
Don't Ignore a Problem. Do Something About It.
"I don't need to be a big dog to do big things." — Eben the Traveling French Bulldog
The cat festival started off with the inspirational documentary "So it Began" produced by Mutual Rescue. The short film follows Calvin Tucker, also known as "Black Noah," who a decade ago found himself running with gangs and unhappy with his life. That is, until a chance encounter with a stray kitten changed his life. He had seen thousands of strays before but never felt compelled to help one, however he developed an instant bond with that kitten who he named Henry.
"Henry saved me by giving me purpose," he says. Since he and Henry rescued one another in 2015, Tucker has saved more than 600 animals in Alabama.
"Kitty CrusAIDE" by Josh Carter tells a similar story. A decade ago, Dani Braun's sister convinced her to foster a litter of kittens. Before she knew it, Dani had become a cat person. She stopped ignoring the strays in her neighborhood and established Kitty CrusAIDe, an organization that seeks to control feral cat populations through TNR (trap, neuter, release). To prevent disease outbreaks and keep the local cat populations healthy, volunteers also make sure the cats are vaccinated before they are released.
Many of the dog-centric films also highlighted people who decided to help rather than ignore. "Unleashed" by Yayoi Kawahito follows Chad Grigg, who was inspired to found the organization Bark and Burn after spending a summer with his cousins whose dog spent most of his time unhappily locked in a cage. One day, he let the dog out and watched him transform into a loving and happy pooch running and jumping around the woods.
Grigg started walking dogs around New York City but felt like that was not enough. During the pandemic he began long-term dog sitting for medical workers who were away from their pets all day. He would take them on long hikes and watch them joyously experience nature before returning home happy and tired after a long day of proper exercise. Through his organization, Grigg continues to do what he and his four-legged clients love most — explore the wilderness and roam free.
Live in the Moment and Don't Let Your Fears Stand in Your Way
"I've heard people say that when they retire or when they have more money then they'll go outside more... Tomorrow is promised to no dog, cat, squirrel, or human." — Eben the Traveling French Bulldog
The title star of the documentary short "Eben” by Josh Greene and Jack Lattin is not your typical French Bulldog. Despite his small stature and stumpy legs, throughout his life Eben climbed mountain summits, swam and paddle boarded, and traveled hundreds of miles “on paw” with his parents. He even got his head caught in a seal's mouth and lived to tell the tale. The near-death experience did not deter him from spending hours curiously observing the semiaquatic marine mammals in their natural habitat, and a "no dogs allowed" sign did not keep him away from the pier.
Even a cancer diagnosis could not slow him down. Eben lived each day to the fullest, hiking seven miles on his 13th birthday.
Sometimes you need to just stop and smell the roses (or eat them, in the case of one film's furry protagonist). Another option: enjoy the present by simply feeling and reflecting on a moment even after it has just passed.
In the poetic short "Trace of a Cat," filmmaker Kim Best explores what cats leave with us when they vacate a spot. Although the cat may no longer be physically present, it leaves its "trace" and warmth behind, prolonging the joyous moments spent cuddling together.
Find Joy in the Little Things, and Figure Out What Makes You Happy
"You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy" – Eben the Traveling French Bulldog
For many dogs and cats, just spending time with their favorite human is enough to make their day. Throw in a belly rub or chin scratch, and life doesn't get much better than that. Humans, however, often forget how much joy can be found in the little things.
In "Cat Advocacy," another Kim Best film, Nube the cat's owner is worried that Nube did not like any of its birthday presents. While the kitty parent calls numerous companies to complain that their toys disappointed their cat, Nube happily plays with paper bags, cardboard boxes, and a ball of aluminum foil.
Freddie Bear the Goldendoodle loves to jump around and play on the beach for hours and hours with his best friend. From sunrise to sunset, the canine star of "Freddie Bears' Lovely Day" by Mustapha Khan never tires of playing catch, picking up sticks, running in circles, and feeling the sand beneath his paws.
In the claymation short "Buffy and the Balloon" by John Maslowski, a little brown dog named Buffy is over the moon when a special balloon flies in through the window. But Buffy must learn to play gently if she wants to keep the fun going.
Change Is Hard, but It's Never Too Late to Try Something New
"Embrace the transformation of change." – Welly the Dog Poet
How do you cope with life-changing events and heartbreaking losses? In the black-and-white short "Love Another" by Diana Rousseau, an older couple learn to love again after losing their longtime best friend. The pair bring home a new dog, and at first things are "a little ruff." But the couple patiently help their new pooch overcome resource guarding and fear-related aggression, and in time everyone lives happily ever after.
Few events are as life-changing as retirement. Harold "Catman" Sims spent decades as a teacher before he discovered his true passion — being with and rescuing cats. Kim Best shares his story in "King of Cats."
Shortly after his retirement, Sims started volunteering at a shelter and began a new career as an animal advocate. He established the first no-kill shelter in Jackson County, North Carolina, and later established a cage-free cat sanctuary called Catman2. A long-time collector of cat memorabilia, the octogenarian created the American Museum of the House Cat in 2017. Sims passed away in November, but his legacy lives on through his cat sanctuary and museum.
Older pets still have plenty to offer, as Jane Goldman explores in "Who Wants a Cuddle?" At the Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, the Cuddle Club meets regularly, bringing in senior citizens to spend time with the canine residents and make new human friends. It is difficult to say who appreciates the club more, the dogs or the humans. As one regular visitor says, "It's a great day when you've got dog hair on you."
Speaking of seniors, it is never too late for a cat to make a fresh start and try new things. In "A New Home for an Old Cat" by Stephanie Cernelli, a senior cat thanks its adopters for taking it in after the death of its longtime owner. Grateful for a second chance in life, the cat quickly adapts to its new home, even learning how to live with a curious toddler.
In another short about embracing change, Welly the Dog Poet waxes poetic about a trip to the groomer in "Goodbye Old Coat" by Karen L. Mintz. Welly reflects on "the shedding of my former self" as he says goodbye to his coat, standing "resolute in clumps of my past." He is grateful to his coat for sheltering him from harm, but he is also excited for the future and to "make way for a new coat and new dreams.”
Learn about all of the dog film festival selections and the cat film festival selections.
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