INTERNET CAT VIDEO FESTIVAL RETURNS TO WALKER ART CENTER'S OPEN FIELD AUGUST 14, 2014

In August 2012, the Walker Art Center planned a small experiment as part of its outdoor summer programming on Open Field, the greenspace adjacent to the building. What if there was an evening program dedicated to the internet phenomenon of cat videos? Would anyone come to watch videos what they could easily view with a few clicks at home or work? How would this solo hobby translate to a public setting? Word of the program quickly spread internationally via social media and the press including coverage as varied as the New York Times, the BBC, Japanese television, Australian talk shows, Brazilian newspapers, CNN, NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Cat Fancy, Slate, Time, CHEEZburger, and many more. The result was 10,000 people gathered on Open Field enjoying thefirst Internet Cat Video Festivaltogether. The overwhelming success of the event has led to tours of the program and last summer the Walker presented the second installment of the Festival to an even larger crowd at the Minnesota State Fair. Now, the Walker brings the Festival back as a free community event at Open Field on Thursday, August 14, 2014.

This years Internet Cat Video Festival will be programmed by cat video producer Will Braden, creator of the Henri le Chat Noir videos. Braden has hosted several Festival tour events and received the Festivals first Golden Kitty (peoples choice) Award.

Information about video submissions and event details will be announced next month.


MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Joyce rachel.joyce@walkerart.org

WALKER ART CENTER INTERNET CAT VIDEO FESTIVAL PUBLIC INFORMATION:
walkerart.org/catvidfest
@catvidfest
#catvidfest
Email: catvidfest@walkerart.org