Internet Cat Video Festival Returns to Athens

JoyTV’s Jenny Theona opens the Internet Cat Video Festival

On 28 March Nine Lives Greece presented its 2nd Annual Internet Cat Video Festival here in Athens. This year’s event was held at Nixon Bar in the trendy Kerameikos neighborhood, where memorabilia about the late American president of the same name decorated the walls and retro music was piped into the bar area. Anyone who knows American history or is ‘of a certain age’ would appreciate that a trip to the rest room involves walking through ‘Watergate.’  A photo of Richard Nixon shaking hands with Elvis Presley hangs near the seating area, adding to the whimsical atmosphere.

A photo of Nixon and Elvis Presley decorates the wall of Nixon bar.

Once again, the show was introduced by actress and Joy TV presenter, Jenny Theona. A lover of cats herself (she reportedly has 10!), she started by introducing a beautifully filmed public service announcement created by PREMIUMMEDIA about the importance of neutering pets and strays. She then presented the funny, adorable and thought-provoking cat videos that we all came to see.

The event included an awards ceremony. As part of the festivities, our sponsor, Purina One, held a contest leading up to the day of the event in which people submitted their own homemade cat videos. The ceremony opened with the screening of the five winning videos. Then, as an air of excitement filled the room, each of the winning videographers was called up to the front and presented with lovely prizes.

A few young viewers at the Internet Cat Video Festival

As with last year’s festival, (see our post from 2014:  “Thanks for making Athens’ first internet cat video festival a success!”) the event was created in conjunction with the Walker Art Center of Minneapolis, MN in the U.S. Once again, the show presented cat videos assembled by Walker that were also shown by other member groups of the Internet Cat Video Festival around the world.

A  bit of shopping was available in between screenings. Outside of the screening room a table was set up with cat-themed items, many hand-made, as well as clothing and objects decorated with the Nine Lives Greece logo.

A sample of products for sale between screenings from Nine Lives Greece

Not only did it bring laughs and a good time to many, but the Festival also helped finance food, vet visits and sterilizations for Athens’ stray cats. All the proceeds from the event went for our cause: helping to maintain a smaller and healthier stray cat population here in Athens.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the show, children and adults alike.  Plans are already in the works for the 3rd Internet Cat Video Festival next year. We are organizing an even bigger and more spectacular event. Watch for details. Hope to see you there!