Following in the footsteps of New York City, Los Angeles gets its own dog film festival.
On Sunday, June 5, the dog-friendly event will feature two programs of dog-based short films at the Crest Theatre in Westwood, Calif. Each 1.5 hours long, the sessions are comprised of narratives, documentaries and animated short films, all “illuminating the remarkable bond between people and dogs.”
Some standouts include two shorts by Merrill Markoe, the TV writer who created David Letterman’s “Stupid Pet Tricks” and also wrote The Lewis Lectures, starring Jack Black.
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A short directed and written by well-known dog photographer William Wegman will also be shown. The 1995 mystery classic will feature his famous weimeraners Fay Ray, Battina, Crooky and Chundo.
Other films will include stories about a surfer dog, a poodle trainer for the circus, shelter stories and the special bond between a disabled boy and a dog saved from train tracks.
Kicking off the Dog Film Festival will be an afternoon Tea Pooch Party with Melissa Rivers on Saturday. Both dogs and humans are welcome to this soirée, which will feature a green carpet, a fully catered tea party including finger sandwiches and pastries, along with yummy dog treats. Everyone will get a swag bag full of goodies valued at $300.
The festival is produced by Tracie Hotchner and the Radio Pet Lady Network and made possible by a grant from the Petco Foundation. It is the first dog film festival for Los Angeles and will make its way to 12 other cities.
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It isn’t too late to grab your tickets. The Tea Pooch Party is $75 and each session is $20. Head over to the Dog Film Festival for more information.