WELCOME TO THE PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER FILM FESTIVAL
Love at the Drive-In
Carl Johnson
HUMANE HERO AWARD
Previously a cat-only pet guardian, Carl Johnson’s life was immediately enhanced by also welcoming dogs into his family after his retirement in 2006 from Citigroup in New York. After retiring to Palm Springs with his husband, Larry Seeger, Carl began volunteering at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in 2011. Looking for an opportunity to put his business acumen and leadership to work, he joined the Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter Board of Directors in 2012 where he quickly found his life’s passion. Carl was instrumental in helping open the new shelter —crafting policies and procedures, mentoring staff members, and putting in long days to help fill in on the front lines whenever and wherever needed.
Currently, Carl serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors. He and Larry share their home with a clowder of cats and a pack of dogs, all living the good life, and all absolutely adored.
Best Friends Animal Society
CHAMPIONS FOR LIFE AWARD
Al Stein
HERO FOR LIFE AWARD
His compassion reached across the globe, taking him to Barcelona to demonstrate against bullfighting. Al spoke to a crowd of thousands in a packed coliseum, imploring them to look into their hearts, past tradition, flare and entertainment, to see the undeniable cruelty of bullfighting. That day was the beginning of the end of the bloody spectacle of bullfighting in the region. Bullfighting was banned in the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia by a vote of the Catalan Parliament in July 2010. The ban came into effect on January 1, 2012 and the last bullfight in the region took place in Barcelona in September 2011.
Al was the original sponsor of the Sonaga-Young Chimpanzee Rescue in Cameroon, Africa. The organization is thriving today, caring for more than 70 rescued chimpanzees from three to over 50 years of age and educating and sensitizing populations about the importance of conservation, with an emphasis on outreach to primary school children.
Closer to home, Al has been a tireless advocate for animals in the Coachella Valley. He has exposed neglect and cruelty in public animal shelters, aimed a spotlight on animal abuse in circuses and rodeos, and advocated for better conditions for carriage horses. Two decades ago, Al teamed up with Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter board president and veterinarian Dr. Doug Kunz, to convince then-Mayor Ron Oden that the City of Palm Springs needed a new animal shelter. Al pointed out that the shelter, built in 1960, was pathetically outdated and that the residents — both humans and pets — deserved much better. The mayor and city council quickly agreed, acknowledging that Al was right — the city should and could do better, much better. His efforts led to the completion of the beautiful state-of-the-art shelter we have today.
Al Stein’s commitment to animal advocacy is more than impressive. It inspires us to be better humans. It motivates us all to speak up and show up on behalf of animals. Most importantly, it demonstrates how one person can make a difference.
YOUNG HERO TO ANIMALS AWARD
Palm Springs Boys & Girls Club – Torch Club
Members of the Torch Club have been committed to partnership with and service to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. From reading books to dogs (during pre-pandemic days) to monthly service projects, this dedicated group of young heroes has been working with the shelter for several years.
The future of animal welfare and advocacy is bright with these young heroes leading the way.
FIRST SET OF SHORT FILMS
Kronos -The Gitup Challenge-Filmmaker, Tiffany‘s Diamond Dogs
Celebrate – Filmmaker, Rachel Grissom
Turtle Dogs – Filmmaker, Roberto Flores
The Sato Project – Filmmaker, Jacob Pieczynski
Paws & Wheels – Filmmaker, Say Mahalo
Films by & with amazing kiddos –
Don’t Hurt Dogs – Film credits donthurtdogs.org
Ovy Skiing – Filmmaker, Maddie Dimetrosky
SHORT INTERMISSION
SECOND SET OF SHORT FILMS
Gratuitous Cat Video – Cat’s Cradle – Filmmaker, Jonathan Napolitano
Mountain Mojo – Filmmaker, Russell Biggs
Joey & Roxy – Film credits, PAWsitive
Old Dogs New Digs – Filmmaker, Five Road Films
Dog in the Woods – Filmmaker, Paul Jason Hoffman & Christian Chapman
Max The Mayor of Idyllwild – Film credits, Phyllis Mueller
Something in Common – Filmmaker, Wine Dog Pictures
Trail Dawgs – Film credits, Wagstaff