The Animal Free Initiative (AFI), a non-profit organization advocating for animal-free research, has successfully concluded the online screening of its inaugural AFI International Animal Film Festival. Despite being the first edition, the festival attracted international attention, presenting 21 films submitted from various countries including Korea, Spain, Cuba, and Thailand.
The selected works explored a wide range of themes such as animal rights, bioethics, coexistence with nature, and animal-free testing methods. Even in an online format, the festival received an enthusiastic response from viewers. An AFI spokesperson noted that audience participation exceeded expectations, underscoring the growing public interest in the subject matter. The short film competition was also successfully completed, with three winning entries selected. Details on the winning films and the judges’ comments can be found on AFI’s official social media platforms.
Following the online program, AFI is now preparing for its upcoming offline festival in Thailand, scheduled to take place from December 12 to 13, 2025. Additional information is available on the official event page (https://odc.network/). The Thailand event is expected to serve as a meaningful opportunity to connect directly with audiences and filmmakers across Asia.
Building on the success of its first edition, AFI plans to establish the film festival as an annual event, expand international participation by inviting more films from diverse countries, and strengthen its global network. AFI also aims to further integrate the festival with its educational initiatives promoting Animal-Free Technology and scientific literacy surrounding alternatives to animal testing. By concluding its first online edition on a high note, the AFI International Animal Film Festival has demonstrated the powerful intersection of science and culture, delivering a compelling message about a future without animal experimentation to a wider audience.
Learn more about AFI: Animal Free Initiative
