The Meow is Now!!
By Johanna Elattar, Visit CatFilmFestival.com
Cats have always acted like they run the world—and the 8th Annual New York Cat Film Festival is here to prove it. Twenty-one films, carefully selected from 70 submissions spanning 14 countries—including Australia, France, Japan, Mexico, and even Uzbekistan—hit the screen for a 99-minute celebration of our furry overlords.
The festival offers an eclectic mix of comedy, drama, and heartfelt storytelling. Take “Cats Eyewitness News”, for example: pigeons sit shiva while feline reporters cover a “breaking story,” a hilarious reminder that in the eyes of cats, humans are merely background extras.
Animated shorts are in full force. “Catnap” tells the tale of a dog who refuses to let a kitty take her nap, inspired by true events, while “Oh Catnada!” imagines a feline-centric country complete with its own flag and anthem. “10th Life”, a whimsical animated adventure about a lost kitten and a mysterious new ally, charms viewers with its imaginative storytelling, while “When Left Is Right” shows the determination of a southpaw kitten navigating the challenges of being left-handed in a right-handed world.
Documentaries shine a spotlight on real cats and the humans who love them. “Paws and Purpose” explores a sanctuary that began saving goats but evolved into a loving final home for cats of all ages and backgrounds. “Scaredy, the Cat” tells the story of a shy feral cat in a NYC park learning to trust the few humans who care for her. And “Loki, Ukrainian Cat” follows a brave feline’s journey to escape war in Ukraine and adapt to a new life in Ireland—proof that even the smallest creatures can endure and thrive against the odds.
Narrative and experimental films add flair. “Alfred Hitchcat Presents ‘Banquo’s Chair’” pits detective Purrlock Holmes against a haunted mansion mystery, complete with talking-cat actors, while “Shadow” uses artistic animation to show how the loss of a beloved cat opens the door for healing through a new neighborhood stray. “The Language of Love” offers a more intimate view, exploring the subtle ways cats communicate with humans—and how we respond.
The festival also celebrates humor and mischief. “Cats on Things” animates the havoc cats cause in our homes, and “A Hand to Home” tells a rescued kitten’s story entirely from her perspective, hand-crafted with digital artistry. Meanwhile, “Old Paws 4: The Black Cat Market” and “The Cat House Chronicles” highlight the joys and challenges of adopting senior cats, showing that every cat deserves love and attention, no matter their age.
Some films are surprisingly poignant. “Love Is Love” documents how three tripawd cats teach a woman lessons in love, resilience, and the cycle of life, while “My Familiar” pairs music and visuals to memorialize a beloved feline companion. Even short films like “Bastet”, a hand-drawn animation from three Croatian friends, pay homage to the mythic and mystical side of cats, rising to meet the ancient Egyptian goddess of cats in the clouds.
Whether you come for comedy, heartwarming stories, or visual creativity, the NY Cat Film Festival delivers. These films remind us why cats have claimed both our homes and our hearts, proving once and for all that humans are just part of their story.
For humans of all ages, this 99-minute festival is a journey through the charming, unpredictable, and utterly delightful world of cats. And if nothing else, it teaches us that even pigeons may pause for a moment of reflection—or a shiva—before moving on.
For more visit CatFilmFestival.com
Johanna Elattar is a New York journalist and author who has a knack for stepping into the past, uncovering hidden histories, and giving voice to the overlooked. Her work spans local reporting, investigative features, and immersive narratives that blend culture, community, and social justice. With publications in Muslim Matters, Yellow Arrow Press, Unheard Voices News, and Oxford University Press textbooks, she brings a mix of rigor, curiosity, and a touch of imagination to every story—whether she’s revisiting a long-closed theater or exploring the lives of those society tends to forget. You can contact with a story at: Americangrrl70@gmail.com
