Science, Ethics and Politics of Animal Welfare Wins at This Year's Artivist Film Festival

Science, Ethics and Politics of Animal Welfare Wins at This Year's Artivist Film Festival

MESA, Ariz., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The documentary film "Beyond Closed Doors" (BCD) took the 2007 Best Feature Film award in the Animal Awareness Category at the Artivist Film Festival in Hollywood, California on November 11. This film differs from other films that deal with animal treatment because it transcends animal cruelty issues and evaluates the political and economic system that drives animal agriculture in the U.S. Rather than simply juxtapose two polarized views as is often done in documentaries, BCD seeks out highly qualified experts concerning the science and ethics of animal agriculture, and extends interview invitations to those whose veracity is questioned.

Arizona Senator and lifelong rancher, Franklin "Jake" Flake, was highlighted for his part in sponsoring legislation that would essentially remove voters' rights concerning the issue of agriculture, making meaningful regulation all but impossible. Flake's bill SCR 1035, if successful, would have rendered popular voter initiatives invalid and given power over agriculture to an agency appointed by politicians.

At the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood California, Sandgrain Films producer Hugh Dorigo accepted the award in front of a packed theatre. The film's producer spoke of the common thread that ties together most forms of injustice: a powerful political system that enables it. In the case of intensive confinement agriculture, the subject of the film, this system includes specific veterinarian organizations, politicians and even a few "humane" associations who appear to suffer from moral ambivalence.

Sandgrain's producer points out: "While it is true that my family were pig farmers for many years in New Jersey, it is also true that I was compelled to leave my career as an airline pilot to investigate what appeared to be an abandonment of science and ethics in the very industry that sustained my family for so many years. I was deeply disappointed to discover that a widely disseminated claim by factory farming advocates that they treat animals well because it is good business was misleading and scientifically unsound."

Ultimately Beyond Closed Doors is a plea for reason and the use of ethics and sound science in determining policy, rather than overpowering emotion fueled by a the desire to protect economic and political interests.

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Source: Sandgrain Films

CONTACT: Hugh Dorigo of Sandgrain Films, +1-480-620-5322,
info@sandgrainfilms.com

Web site:

http://www.sandgrainfilms.com/

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