Update: Due to inclement weather and flooding forecast for Jan. 20, the Vail-Leavitt has postponed the Cat Film Festival until Sunday, Feb. 3 at 3 p.m.
The Vail-Leavitt Music Hall is going to the dogs. And the cats, too.
Riverhead’s historic theater will host the New York City Dog Film Festival and Cat Film Festival on the last two Sundays of January.
The film festivals are the brainchild of Tracie Hotchner, a nationally acclaimed pet wellness advocate, noted author of pet care books, blogger and host of NPR’s DOG TALK® (and Kitties, Too!) Hotchner puts out an annual call for submissions to the festivals — the results are canine and feline-centric documentaries, animated movies and narrative stories.
Speaking on behalf of the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, Angela DeVito said the wide variety of films accepted into the festival “allows people to see the diversity and wonder of having pets. The films bring watchers the joy that we pet owners all have” living with furry family members.
DeVito explained that the festivals share proceeds of tickets sales with local pet rescue organizations at each locale the festival plays. Sunday, Jan. 20 the NYC Cat Film Festival comes to Riverhead at 3 p.m. The following Sunday, Jan. 27, the canine counterpart comes to town. Tickets are $25 for each day’s films’ the take will be split among the VLMH, the Riverhead Animal Shelter, the Southampton Animal Shelter and Hotchner.
After intermission at each show, the audience will get to meet some animals in need of forever homes. On Jan. 20, cats from the Southampton Animal Shelter will visit the festival. Both shelters will bring adoptable dogs to the theater on Jan. 27. Festival backers hope that theater-goers will give donations toward the animals’ care — or adopt one themselves.
Editor’s note: This article has been amended to include additional information provided post-publication.
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