• By: Keith Whittier

Just For Cats: One-of-a-Kind Festival Celebrates All Things Feline

What are these crazy cats up to now? Cat videos take up a large portion of the internet, usually because we humans can’t resist filming the mischief the adorable animals create. Now is the time you can partake in watching cat videos with friends and cat-lovers alike: the Just for Cats Festival comes to Ottawa Sunday, June 22, at the Algonquin Commons Theatre at Algonquin College. The festival is celebrating everything cat-related, including the medium on which we choose to share them.

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Henri “Le Chat Noir”

The festival will be showing the renowned Internet Cat Video Reel produced by the Walker Art Center. The 65-minute compilation features many popular stars like Grumpy Cat, Maru, Henri “Le Chat Noir” and Colonel Meow, and includes six second Vine videos and short films.

But it’s not just about watching cat videos together. The Just for Cats Festival aims to increase the welfare of these furry creatures and enhance the bond between humans and cats. Activities at the festival include an exciting lineup of artists, vendors, performances and face painting. Join special guests and VIPs, including Henri “Le Chat Noir,” the world’s first feline philosopher, who will participate in the festival via Skype. In addition, the winners of the Just for Cats photo and video contest will have their submissions shown prior to the screening of the Internet Video Cat Reel.

Guests have the option to purchase tickets to an exclusive VIP Reception, which includes a 7 p.m. screening, drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased online, and all profits go towards supporting the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and the Ottawa Humane Society. Put on your cat costume and join in the fancy feline festivities!