Cat film festival comes to B.C.

Vancouver and Nelson are hosting the Just For Cats Film Festival to raise money for the SPCA and to mark Cat Awareness month.

"This is all internet cat videos, mostly funny but some profound, some just really, really interesting," said Rob Andrew, Nelson SPCA Manager, who is helping coordinate Wednesday's event at the Civic Theatre.

"It's a good opportunity for all of these cat people who might be at home watching these videos to get out in a social setting and celebrate cats."

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The compilation of internet cat videos is curated by Will Braden, the man behind Henri Le Chat Noir, an existential tuxedo cat that has a series of viral videos on YouTube.

More than 12,000 people attendedJust For Cats Festivals in 2014, and this year cities across Canada are hosting the festival at different times throughout the summer.

Andrew believesit'san opportunity to showcase cats andincrease the appreciation for felines.

"Specifically at the BC SPCA, when a stray dog comes in, it is reunited with their owner 98 per cent of the time. With cats it's around 20 per cent of the time."

Andrew also hopes the festival dispels stereotypes of cat lovers.

"Catlovers are big biker guys, they are hipsters, they can really be anyone."

To hear the full interview, listen to the audio labelled Just for Cats Film Festival.