The Center for Animal Protection and Education Animal Film festival will make an appearance at the Del Mar Theater on June 2.
In 2012 CAPE. Founder J.P. Novic left Ben Lomond and moved to Grass Valley — in the mountains northeast of Sacramento — with four goats, several chickens, two pigs, assorted other animals and a husband to fulfill her dream of opening a sanctuary for neglected and abused farm animals.
Her husband Mark commutes every other week for his neurological practice in Santa Cruz, and Novic comes back to the area for animal events. CAPE Animal Sanctuary is now the permanent home to dozens of farm animals with special needs and the new burro rescue program.
For the last few years CAPE has focused on creating animal films, but last year the group started producing the Animal Film Festival, held each year in Grass Valley.
“We received 324 films from around the world for this year’s Animal Film Festival during which we screened the 24 finalists,” Novic said. “Through our collaboration with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, we are happy to bring the top seven films to the Santa Cruz community. The films are entertaining, touching, and thought provoking. People will be so glad they came to this event.”
“Several films are just about kindness,” Novic said, adding that her favorite film is from Iran and lasts just one minute with no dialogue. The opening scene unfolds as little boy and his mother are walking through a market place in the rain. He is holding a plastic bag with a goldfish in it. As they approach an umbrella vendor, he accidently drops his bag but he is too afraid to tell his mother. The family walks on but he keeps looking back.
The next day the sun is shining as the son hurries back to the spot where he lost his goldfish. The umbrella vendor has opened an umbrella upside down and the little boy peers into it. The little fish is swimming around inside the umbrella- the man had rescued his goldfish.
Like the Iranian film, most of the films are “shorts” except for “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret”, an award-winning documentary that delves into the question of why environmental groups fail to champion the destructive animal agriculture industry.
“EXPOSED: The USDA’s Secret War on Wildlife” features interviews with a whistle blower who provides evidence on how taxpayer dollars are spent to decimate wildlife. “Sit, Stay, Ride: The Story of America’s Sidecar Dogs” travels along with a sub-culture of dog-loving motorcycle enthusiasts who would not dream of rolling down the highway without their canine companions by their side.
“The Goat Trilogy,” three funny short films from Wales and Great Britain, tells the tale of a companion goat, who is a man’s best friend, and a long-suffering roommate. “RED,” reveals compassion shown to a little boy and the tiniest of creatures. A young boy who collects garbage helps a starving cat in “The Orange Gunny.”
The event will be held at the Del Mar Theater, 1124 Pacific Avenue, on June 2 from 6-9 p.m. A Wine & Chocolate event outside the theater doors will offer wines and chocolates for a suggested donation. All proceeds will benefit CAPE and the SCCAS. To purchase advance tickets and to learn more about The 2015 Animal Film Festival, visit www.animalfilmfestival.org. For more information about the Center for Animal Protection and Education, visit capeanimals.org. or call (831)336-4695.
