Can you believe the first ever International Cat Video Festival was a worldwide sensation?! Of course we know!
The camera just loves cats with their agility and flexibility prowess, endless antics, and extreme intelligence. It's no wonder they are a digital and cultural phenomena that is shared a million times over--more than celebrities. Sorry Justin Beiber.
Hosted in Minneapolis, MN at the Walker's Art Center, one of the nation’s most prominent institutions of contemporary art, this was the first cat film festival dedicated completely to cat videos. The idea for the festival was born from an an associate at the museum, who suggested it early this year as a sort of joke. By spring her bosses came to believe that it would be a good fit with the Walker’s Open Field initiative, which calls for experimental public programming, often free, on the lawn. From its inception to its closing credits, this was an online meme made flesh (and fur).
The submission process went viral with 10,000 entries within a couple of months. Even the number of attendees doubled their projections and over 10,000 attendees packed the lawn of the museum, spilling over onto sidewalks across the street.
As the panel of judges narrowed down their list of winners, they soon learned that some cat finalists had agents. Keyboard Cat and Nyan Cat are the more famous online cats. LilBub was surrounded by photographers and fans asking for pawtographs.
Who were some of the winners? No surprise that Maru, the cat from Japan, known for its affinity of cardboard boxes, walked away with a Golden Kitty award.
Below is the winner of the People's Choice award "Henri, Paw de Deux"
Our friend and fellow cat-advocate, Katie and Glogirly (Katie is the Cat, Glogirly is her owner's nickname) received an honorable mention for Real Housecats Season 2; Episode 2
Katie is a witty and sassy kitty. She's fast rising to cat stardom. Be sure to follow her and view her other videos! Katie--we hope you'll remember us average cats.
WowEE!!! Thank you SO much for honorably mentioning my honorable mention!
ReplyDeleteGlogirly and Flat Katie reported having a BLAST at the festival! It was so exciting...TONS of people! More people in fact than any other event at Walker's Open Field venue!
There was a point right before the show that the crowd started chanting CAT! CAT! CAT!
...and Henri, well he and his human are absolutely AMAZING. There could not have been a more deserving recipient of the Golden Kitty. (well almost)
: ) Katie
LOL at Katie!! Purrsonally we thought Season one was better :P
ReplyDeleteWe love Henri :)