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Animalis Fabula Film Festival Official Selection Laurels

AniFab Official Selections '21

Sheep - Short Documentary - USA

6/29/2021

 
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Jennif is a Georgia native who has been employing sheep to combat invasive plant species for decades. This cinema vertite short documentary takes a look at a day in the life of a Georgia sheep herder as Jennif and her team-including her rambunctious dog Katie-transport sheep throughout the Atlanta area. The film examines a sustainable, environmentally-friendly approach to controlling kudzu, ivy, and other pesky plants that trouble the region.

​Field Humphrey is a documentary filmmaker who was born and raised in Georgia. After graduating from the University of Mississippi,
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Director Field Humphrey
Field cut his teeth working for Zero Point Zero Production on such programs as Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. His directorial debut, Let ‘Em Know You’re There, received an Austin Film Society Grant and was broadcast on PBS affiliates across the country. The short documentary received a 2019 Mid-Atlantic Emmy. Next, Field produced, shot and edited The Shake-Up, a feature documentary about the 2013 New Mexico Behavioral Health Crisis. The film was used as an educational tool across the state of New Mexico and received a 2020 Rocky Mountain Emmy. Other credits include The First Rainbow Coalition (Additional Editor / PBS, Independent Lens) and Phi Slama Jama (Editor / ESPN.)
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Director StatementInitially, ‘Sheep’ was supposed to be reference material for a larger piece. My close friend John had invited me out to see the work he was doing with Jennif, a 68 year old woman with bad hips, a mean bark, and a big heart. John told me he and Jennif transport sheep around Athens and Atlanta, dropping the herds off at residential and commercial properties so the animals can graze on invasive plant species. Intrigued, I joined Jennif, John, and Katie-Jennifs’ rambunctious pooch-for a day of suburban sheep herding. As the day progressed, I put down my stills camera and began capturing the day with my cell phone, as I was missing too many special moments by taking photographs. After reviewing the footage, I threw together an assembly, and screened it for some friends and family. The reception was overwhelmingly positive.
At the superficial level, ‘Sheep’ is a day in the life of suburban sheep herders. At a much deeper level, the piece is a lyrical look at a sustainable solution for a problem that’s plagued Southerners since the days they were crowning Kudzu Kings and Queens a regional festivals. The film presents images of sheep grazing in front of an industrial back drop. The animals chewing away at residential backyards as gas-powered tools buzz next door.
At one point sheep were prominent in American and Georgian society. However, since the 1940s sheep numbers have dropped from 40 million to “about 7.5 million in the United States and fewer than 10,000 in Georgia.”* As sheep can consume close to five pounds of leafy greens daily, sheep and other livestock should be considered by public and private entities going forward.
Hopefully, audiences can watch this meditative film and experience a holistic solution to a problem southern communities face. Honestly, I’d be happy for the viewers to simply have a moment of relaxation as they witness these intelligent, sweet and silly animals go to town on some ivy! Even if sheep herding isn’t the large scale solution to the management of invasive species, I really just love the idea of animals having roles in our communities, that doesn’t involve the consumption of their milk and meat.
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Uncle Max & Draken - Short Documentary - Australia

6/26/2021

 
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Uncle Max Harrison, an aboriginal elder from Australia, reconnects to his spiritual land following the footstep of his dingo Draken.

Teresa Carante completed an MA in Social Anthropology before embracing her passion for documentary filmmaking

AniFab judge's aggregate score for Uncle Max & Draken is 7.8 out of 10 with one judge writing, " As we get older, although we have the means its seldom used to 
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Director Teresa Carante
​communicate such a simple idea so eloquently. It is the honor of the whole #Anifab family to be able to share this short little gem.  Nice work Teresa!"
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Finding Purpose - Short Animation - USA

6/23/2021

 
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2D Animated short (without dialogue)-- A man is stuck in his routine & struggles to find purpose.

James Kirby is a high school student at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, New York. Self-taught, James created "Finding Purpose" during the pandemic. James is passionate about storytelling and also enjoys writing screenplays.


AniFab judge's aggregate score was 7.0 out of 10 with one judge stating, " I liked it, I really like Finding Purpose! Simply brilliant even!"
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Director James Kirby
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Spark Bird A Birdwatcher's First Ever Journey - Short Animation - Italy

6/22/2021

 
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During a grey and cloudy day in Gubbio, Emma is coming back home from school. Suddenly a magic orange trail passes by. Emma will follow it discovering a whole new world for her, full of nature. Here she will gain a new way of observing what's around her: details, colors, and heavenly sounds of different bird species that she will discover while walking toward the fortress, the highest spot of her town.
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The short film invites experts and less experts into the world of birdwatching and hopes to inspire people to find their own Spark Bird.

​Laura is a 23 years old illustrator and character designer from Italy. She loves illustrating animals and creating new creatures such as dragons and fantasy big cats.
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Director Laura Pauselli
 In her free time she goes birding, takes photos, she sings and plays guitar. She's been spending the past months on creating "Spark Bird. A birdwatcher's first ever journey." an animated short film. She's in love with animation which has just discovered a year ago. She looks forward to work on more animated features and shorts along with a team of people in animation studios.
#AniFab judge's aggregate score for Spark Bird is 7.4 out of 10 with comments from one judge, "​I am so blessed to be able to see such wonderful art by very talented young people, loved Spark Bird.  Thank you Laura, your journey is just beginning."
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Bleeding In A School Of Hammerhead Sharks - Short Documentary - USA

6/14/2021

 
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Sharks are highly misunderstood. While diving in the Galapagos, I was bit by an eel and was bleeding underwater just feet away from hundreds of hammerhead sharks. Not one shark showed any signs of aggression. Learn about the hammerhead shark in this short Documentary film by Todd Kortte.

​Our oceans are there for you do discover. Anyone can jump in the water and discover something that has never been seen before. It's all within your reach. I am creating a series called Oceans Unknown and showing places around the world where anyone at any level can discover what our oceans have to offer. From far off remote areas to easy family destinations...adventure with marine life is within your reach.

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Director Todd Kortte
T​odd Kortte is an Actor and Producer in Los Angeles with a passion for the underwater world. He also has a background in roller coaster design/them park ride design and has worked with Walt Disney Imagineering and Universal Creative.

Todd combined his storytelling them park background with his Hollywood acting experience and brought it to the underwater world. He placed 4th in the world in the Underwater World Shootout in Germany in 2018. He is the only American to make the top 5 finalist in the underwater video category. Todd has several viral videos, is a 5-time video winner of the So-Cal Shootout, and has achieved over 10 million minutes of online stream time with his work.

Todd is also a Pro Team Member for Kraken Sports, and participates regularly with Oceans Defenders Alliance in Southern California to remove lost fishing nets off the coast of California.
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In the hope of giving others the tool to capture our underwater world and share it online for the world to see, Todd teaches underwater videography, and GoPro underwater classes with Bluewater University.
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#AniFab judge's aggregate score for Bleeding is 7.8 out of 10 with one comment reading, "I enjoyed watching Todd's take on his experiences with the Hammerhead's in the Galapagos.  I want to encourage Todd to make more docs like this and to continue his filmmaking always with animals as part of his subjects. It is the hope of AniFab to develop a long term meaningful relationship with this filmmaker."
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CRISTINA ZENATO and the REEF SHARK CONNECTION - Short Documentary - UK

6/8/2021

 
 Short film examining Cristina Zenato’s close relationship diving with reef sharks, doing ‘relaxed state', petting of them and removing their fishing hooks, a relationship based on love and passion

2009 Director/ Producer of WALTER AND THE TIGERS.   A documentary about freediving with Tiger Sharks in South Africa and showing how these Sharks and other animals are caught in the beach nets, threatening their population.
Since 1995 Jason has mostly been working as a Film Extra/Actor, working on Star Wars, James Bond, Harry Potter etc. Meanwhile has been writing scripts and making films whilst getting experience behind the camera on independent films.

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Director Jason Perryman
#AniFab judge's aggregate score is 5.3 out of 10 with this judge stating, "Fascinating.  This is a very unique perspective on one persons experiences of close contact with sharks.  We look forward to viewing more stories from the Ocean from Jason Perryman."
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Great White Encounters - Feature Documentary - UK

6/7/2021

 
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Exploring the relationship between Great White Sharks and humans. 

We will see how close human and White Shark relationships can be, from free-diving with White Sharks and us opening their mouths by touching their nose, to how closer and safe positive interactions can possibly help and even save us both. But we then investigate how humans' negative treatments of Great Whites is still killing them despite their protections, making us ask what is the future for the survival of these wonderful animals.
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Director Jason Perryman
​Since I was a kid I always wanted to get close to Great White Sharks! I always vowed to make a film on Great Whites. If you love doing something so much, then you should film it too. I wanted to thrill friends, family and everyone else with huge exciting images of Whites swimming on their big screen tv.
As filming this documentary became so much larger due to the wonder of the White Sharks dictating just how much attention I should give them I feel that I now have a very big, entertaining but also moving and tragic film about these fabulous mysterious creatures.
#AniFab judge's aggregate score for Great White Encounters is 5.6 out of 10 with one judge writing, "Although I am a little concerned about the screening quality of some of the images, this movie really pulled me in.  I was so curious what they were after - specifically the examination of the sharks behavior and the various expert interpretations. Hard to stop watching."
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The Living Sea - Short Documentary - Hong Kong

6/1/2021

 
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12-year-old scuba diver Ema sets on a quest to find out why corals around the globe are dying but somehow in Hong Kong they are more resilient.

​Synopsis: We are the only planet with oceans, and they are indispensable for our survival. However, many people are unaware of the importance of ocean creatures and how to protect them. This is because they don’t really see them every day. Sea creatures are just lunch or dinner or an ingredient in cosmetics. Young scuba diver Ema Poposka believes if people could see the beauty of the ocean and of the corals, they will change their minds about sea protection. This inspired her to join Action for a Cause to produce a documentary film about Hong Kong corals. Ema’s aim with the documentary film made by kids is to raise awareness about the uniqueness of Hong Kong corals, the need to start taking care of corals, and how we can do this in our everyday life. This documentary was made by a crew of 12-15 year old students.
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    2021 Official #AniFab Monthly  Selections

    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021

    ​Monthly Selection

    Animalis Fabula Film Festival official monthly selections have the opportunity to compete for monthly attention as well as inclusion in the annual live / virtual film festival in Austin, Texas and the end of year fundraising benefit for animal welfare.

    Find out what films have earned monthly awards for the Best Of Fest here!

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Animalis Fabula Film Festival is a production of WA2S Films, World Animal Awareness Society and World Animal Rescue Network., an award-winning 501c3 United States based media non profit.
WA2S Family of Non Profit Organizations
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