Catdance Film Festival Roars Back, Now in 3D

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The makers of Fresh Step^® litter are bringing back the successful Catdance Film Festival[1] – a celebration of independent cat cinema, which will be held in Park City, Utah in January 2014. In just a few short years, the fair feline has transcended from being amusing in Internet cat videos to serving as a muse in independent films. Fresh Step scratched the surface of this feline fervor by bringing cats to the silver screen at the inaugural 2013 Catdance Film Festival and now it is back – bigger and better than ever.

The 2014 Catdance Film Festival boasts a $50,000 grand prize and an exclusive 3D screening[2] at the festival's feline-themed fete in the heart of independent filmmaking. Up to five finalists will win a trip for two to the Catdance Film Festival to see their film in 3D. Semi-finalists may be selected to be featured on Fresh Step's website and social media pages as Catdance Film Festival Official Selections.

"We understand just how smart and quirky cats are, which is what makes them a great muse and why we've decided to pounce on the opportunity to celebrate them in film," said Smita Peri, brand manager for Fresh Step.

The Golden Litter Scoop Goes To…

This year's Official Selections and finalists will be hand-picked by the governing Feline Arts Council, which is on a mission to promote the positive representations of cats and cat ownership in mainstream culture and is comprised of some of the utmost authorities on creative cat creations.

The Council boasts the brain trust of Erica Domesek, founder of the DIY lifestyle brand P.S.- I made this...(PSImadeThis.com); Eileen Hanavan, cat expert for the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®); Katherine Dore, Sundance Channel's executive producer of branded content; famed and adored Luna the Fashion Kitty; and Smita Peri of Fresh Step. Together, they are on the prowl to find the best in original feline films and cat-inspired products. 

After the screening, Fresh Step will again turn the voting process over to the fans.  The feline flick with the most votes and that best showcases how quirky, funny, picky and most importantly how smart cats are, will be named the Viewer's Choice winner. They will follow in the paw-steps of the 2013 Catdance Film Festival fan favorite "A Change of Heart" from filmmaker Balbinka Korzeniowska. It was a clever story showing that cat love defies stereotypes. The winning 2014 filmmaker will receive a $50,000 prize and the coveted golden litter scoop. Visit www.freshstep.com/catdance for more information.

Announcing the Feline Arts Grant Program 

Take a nod from their sleek silhouette, be inspired by their musical meows, or find a way to capture the smart and quirky nature of cats in the creation of chic apparel, accessories, décor or art work. The Council will bestow its seal on America's top purr-worthy products and award $5,000 grants to up to five artisans that help launch or advance their craft.  Submit cat-inspired passion projects to the Feline Arts Council at http://www.freshstep.com/promotions/feline-arts-council-2013/ by Oct. 8, 2013.

Fresh Step will release limited-edition items from the Feline Arts Council honorees to Paw Points^® members, as well as make them available for purchase with 100 percent of the purchase price benefiting the ASPCA. Be inspired by and get your paws on the first Feline Arts Council endorsed product – a furrrociously-cute handmade sterling silver cat ring designed by Catherine Dmitrieva, owner of KatStudio on Etsy. It's available for $19.99 at http://www.freshstep.com/promotions/feline-arts-council-2013/ or to Paw Points^® members at www.freshstep.com/paw-points.

The Clorox Company

Fresh Step litter is a brand of The Clorox Company, a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with 8,400 employees and fiscal year 2012 revenues of $5.5 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Clorox Commercial Solutions®, Clorox Healthcare™ and Dispatch® products, Green Works® naturally derived home care products, Pine-Sol® cleaners, Poett® home care products, Fresh Step® cat litter, Kingsford® charcoal, Hidden Valley® and K C Masterpiece® dressings and sauces, Brita® water-filtration products, Glad® bags, wraps and containers, and Burt's Bees® and gud™ natural personal care products.

[1] Fresh Step Litter is hosting the screening and using Catdance Film Festival with permission but is not an official sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival.

[2] While Fresh Step will be screening some films in 3D in Park City, filmmakers should shoot in 2D.  Fresh Step will work with finalist filmmakers to transfer selected films into 3D via a standardized post-house edit.

Media Contacts: Rebecca Boston, Clorox
510.208.4161
[email protected]

Apryl Ash, PDC PR
614.439.7596
[email protected]

SOURCE Fresh Step litter