Will Braden, filmmaker—and curator of CatVideoFest 2024, a 75-minute compilation of short cat videos, edited into a briskly-paced reel, screening at theaters across the country, including the Tampa Theatre Aug. 23 & 25-27—recalls what first drew him to film.
Studying film, at first informally, then later in film school, he realized that he was
particularly intrigued by structure, echoing his fascination with puzzles. Having cultivated a love for movies, as well as a deep familiarity with flicks of all kinds, and having graduated from film school, he recounts striking out for Los Angeles, to explore the professional opportunities that the hub of showbiz might offer. A not unreasonable, or uncommon, gambit. Except, it turned out Braden hated L.A So he returned to Seattle–“I’m a Seattle guy,” he says–where he undertook a wide array of filmmaking projects, including a wedding video. But his fortunes turned—fittingly enough—on a cat video he made. Or a series of ‘em, profiling the world-weary actions and often-contemptuous comments of a long-haired tuxedo cat, Henri. (Portrayed by Braden’s Mom’s cat, Henry.) Braden explains that one of his “Henri” videos won a Golden Kitty, the top award at 
an earlier incarnation of CatVideoFest. Thus began his expanding involvement in
CatVideoFest, and he assumed leadership of the festival in 2016, not only selecting the videos for each year’s edition, but handling the business side, marketing, and more. CatVideoFest is now in over 200 cities across the country, and a portion of the proceeds from each engagement go to a local animal shelter or other animal organization—a longstanding element, Braden says. He touches on the informal criteria he applies when evaluating a submitted video, and shares what he considers the quintessential cat video. (https://www.catvideofest.com/, https://www.instagram.com/catvideofest/, https://www.facebook.com/TheCatVideoFest)
ALSO: I spoke briefly with Jen Heckner of Dog Moms of Tampa Bay, a group of dog Moms—and Dads, too, it turns out—who hold regular canine-oriented meet-ups across Tampa Bay. A number of these gatherings involve events where there’s a charitable or fund-raising element. And in those instances where there isn’t such an element, Heckner explains, DMTB may build one in, designating that the proceeds go to a selected shelter, rescue, or other animal organization. She describes the next DMTB event, “Pups & Plants Workshop,” slated to happen on Aug. 24, at Wild Roots in Saint Pete, from 10:30am to noon, noting that the Workshop will teach about pet-safe plants, while addressing fundamentals of houseplant care. Leashed dogs are welcome to attend. Admission is $50, and this event benefits Pet Pal Animal Shelter. (https://thedogmomsoftampabay.com/, https://www.instagram.com/thedogmomsoftampabay, https://www.facebook.com/thedogmomsoftampabay, https://www.facebook.com/events/1001398698211336)
COMEDY CORNER: Brian Regan’s “Doctors & Veterinarians” (https://brianregan.com/)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today.
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