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Animalis Fabula Film Festival Official Selection Laurels

AniFab Official Selections '21

Coo-Coo - Short Narrative - Russian Federation

7/14/2021

 
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Dasha, a young biologist, prepares to defend her Ph.D. on the Baikal seal. Her Ph.D. advisor is skeptical about Dasha’s love for animals, and her mother only cares about the girl not missing night prayers. A story about a conflict between science and religion, love and suffering, between what Dasha wants and what others push her to do.
Director Svetlana Belorussova — anthropologist, filmmaker. For about ten years she has been conducting ethnographic expeditions among the peoples of Russia and Kazakhstan - Chukchi, Nenets, Khanty, Tatars, Kryashen, Nagaibaks, Kazakhs.

In 2017, she defended PhD thesis “Dynamics of the Ethnicity of Nagaibaks in the 18th – 21st сenturies”.

Since 2019, she is a student at the St. Petersburg School of New Cinema (Laboratory of Documentary and Feature Films).

AniFab judge's aggregate score for Coo Coo is 9.8 out of 10 with one judge exclaiming, "Wow, gorgeous and powerful!!"
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Director Svetlana Belorussova
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Amber's Halfway Home - Short Documentary - USA

7/12/2021

 
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​A day of rescue in the fields and dog pounds of western Tennessee.

Amber Reynolds runs her nonprofit, the Halfway Home Animal Rescue, in Greenfield, TN, a tiny farming community hidden somewhere between Nashville and Memphis. At a glance, Greenfield is pastoral, beautiful even. But underneath idyllic scenes of meandering creeks and cotton fields, is a raging problem of too many unwanted animals.
In Amber’s Halfway Home, a film crew follows Amber for one day. During that day, she rescues 19 dogs. Some are dumped on the roadside and left to survive on their own. Others are living in unhealthy conditions at the unregulated and pitifully funded shelters. Watch as one woman saves these homeless animals from certain death.

Amber’s Halfway Home is an exploration of the conditions at government-funded shelters and the consequences of ignoring our country’s homeless animals. But, it’s also a celebration of a woman battling for change in her Southern community, a warrior who saved 2000 dogs in one year.

Director StatementWe are certain that the problem of 'throwaway dogs', unregulated shelters, and so much suffering does not exist because people don’t care, but because they don’t know.

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Director's Melissa Armstrong & Jason Pidgeon
Melissa Armstrong lives outside of Nashville, TN and is the author of Catching Dawn. She has been independently rescuing strays for over fifteen years. From 2013-2015 she fostered and trained 30 dogs for a local nonprofit. Melissa walks with her husband Mason and their four mutts in rural Tennessee.

Jason Pidgeon lives in Charlotte, NC. When he isn't editing features for ESPN, he's traveling with his wife Honora and their three rescue dogs. Jason loves adventure, and he's found it all over the globe, from chasing cherry blossoms in Japan, snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef to surfing in Costa Rica to salmon-fishing in Alaska. Although his expertise is editing, he's also an animator, designer, journalist, and videographer. He graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
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AniFab judge's aggregate score for Amber's Halfway Home is 6.9 out of 10 left with these comments, "Reached out to this filmmaking team.  Amber's Halfway Home resonates with the core of the work of the World Animal Awareness Society.  It is recommended this project become serialized. 
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Left Behind - Short Documentary - Mexico

7/9/2021

 
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Los Rezagados tells the story of two cases of adoption of animals considered "unlikely to adopt" in the city of La Paz, Mexico. Against obstacles such as the null government aid for the protection of non-human animals, the little culture of adoption in the area, and the prejudices towards animals with undesirable characteristics; The volunteers of the Patitas La Paz Community animal sanctuary have been able to bring together responsible and empathetic owners with their ideal companion.
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The Stragglers captures the value that companion animals add to human lives, as well as the responsibility that the population has to provide a dignified life for so many animals that try to survive on the streets.
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Director Andrea B. Millán
Director StatementThe number of stray animals in Mexico is a serious problem today; as of today there are more than 25 million homeless dogs and cats in the country. These animals face hunger, thirst, disease, extreme temperatures, human abuse and fights with each other.
Although there are associations dedicated to the rescue and rearrangement of these beings in new homes, most of them have a whole life in a shelter, when they are lucky. Or an execution, when they end up in euthanasia kennels and aren't adopted fast enough.
Many of the animals in these institutions are rejected, either for their physical characteristics or for their behavior derived from past abuse and trauma. Ignored in favor of their purebred counterparts, who are bred and sold as merchandise.
The Stragglers focuses on two animals in a shelter in a specific city. But unfortunately, the phenomenon that their stories illustrate exists in almost every city in the country and in the world.
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AniFab judge's aggregate score for Left Behind is 6 out of 10 with one judge leaving the following comment, "It is so important to have these voices sharing stories of animals from around the world.  I am recommending Left Behind for selection in July."

FIREFALLS - Short Narrative - France

7/6/2021

 
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Directed by French painter and film director Ariel Neo, Firefalls explores the reality of the world we live in today and depicts the devastation caused by humans on Earth. As an artist working for the cause of nature and wildlife conservation, Neo’s unique storytelling aims to blur the boundaries between man, nature and art while hoping to once again align them together. Ariel Neo wants to alert minds towards the urgent need to preserve our dying Earth and she uses both her powerful cinematography and paintings to illuminate an important question for her audience. How long can mankind run away from the apocalypse it birthed itself?
Firefalls is associated with the documentary "Behind the firefall" The 52 minute documentary allows the viewer to go behind the scenes and to discover the creative process of a low-budget independent short-film.
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Director Ariel Neo
AniFab judge's aggregate score for Firefalls is 9.8 out of 10 with one judge stating, "This movie needs to be seen! Stunning."
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​Ariel Neo is a visionary new voice in filmmaking. Over the past two years, she has broken into the international scene with Flying Through the Water and Rainslide, which have both won multiple awards in festivals and competitions. Her latest short film, Firefalls, promises to be even more influential as Neo hones her style and skill, presenting a dramatic, wordless narrative which uses archetypal imagery and symbolism to make the tragedy of climate change come alive before our eyes.
In addition to her broad conceptual vision, Neo is devoted to detail. She prepares every aspect of filming: scouting her own locations, designing costumes, creating props, and storyboarding the action. Neo began her creative journey as an oil painter, and her paintings, impressive and richly colored images rendered on four to seven-foot round canvases, make appearances in her films, acting as totems that reinforce the significance of her cinematic work. Where words fail, these images shepherd us into new understanding by setting a tone full of reverence and beauty. In turn, her films explore and dramatize the themes that Neo’s artwork has always sought to capture: the beauty and diversity of nature, the joy of creativity, and her grave distress at what is happening to our environment. In fusing together art and film, she strives to make something new, an immersive and active art installation that reaches out and enwraps the viewer, creating an atmosphere that is immediate and suspenseful and yet introspective. This unique vision is what sets Neo apart and promises an exciting future.
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Feral Swine Bomb: Rise of the Super Pigs - Short Documentary - USA

7/2/2021

 
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​The U.S. wild pig population is rapidly multiplying (nine million and counting as a 9-19-20) and are running rampant, costing the U.S. an estimated $2.5 billion each year in damages and control costs. With this rise of these invasive hybrid pigs of domestic breeds and European wild boar, some are calling, "super pigs," experts can only describe this phenomenon as a ticking feral swine bomb.

AniFab judge's aggregate score for Feral Swine Bomb is 5.8 out of 10
with one judge noting, "
I appreciate the work Micah has put into this short doc / mash up.  Interesting too the use of Frontline style graphics.  As a student project, I want it to have a chance.​"

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Director Micah Smith
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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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    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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