Chinese entrepreneur Kean Cao has promoted ecological protection in the UK, through organising the 2024 Animal Nature Future Film Festival (ANFFF) in London.
At just 26 years old, Chinese entrepreneur Kean Cao successfully organized the 2024 Animal Nature Future Film Festival (ANFFF) in London, driven by her passion for nature and animal conservation. Through films, forums, and charity events, ANFFF sparked global discussions on ecological conservation, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide.
Kean’s passion for conservation began in her early years, influenced by her mother’s involvement in rescuing stray animals in their community. Later finding inspiration in wildlife documentaries that fueled her dedication to nature conservation. From age 3, she studied theater and music. By 15, she was organizing international art events, blending diverse cultures and artistic expressions. With a sociology degree from Durham University and a master’s in film business from the London Film School, she integrated art and conservation. One major achievement was joining NASA’s Tour de Moon project to coordinate youth arts initiatives globally.
Through ANFFF, Kean identified a significant gap in mainstream art events, which often overlook ecological conservation topics. She observed that artists focusing on animal-centred themes rarely adopt a market-driven approach, resulting in a disconnect between their art and conservation actions. This gap has limited audience engagement and reduced funding for conservation projects, forcing many eco-focused artists to seek other careers.
Kean sought to bridge this gap through ANFFF. Using film, art, and therapeutic themes as entry points, she aims to create a pioneering festival that integrates nature conservation with cultural expression.
This year’s ANFFF featured films from 32 countries, presenting diverse, cross-cultural perspectives on ecology that captivated audiences.
Sennen Powell, a youth board member of RSPB and an art student at UAL-LCC, shared, “Usually, you think of nature films as documentary-like, but these were experimental and artistic, which I loved. Festivals like this are so important—they offer something different and exciting.”
Amid economic challenges, ANFFF also tackled the issue of limited funding for cultural projects. To help filmmakers navigate these constraints, Kean invited Qin Bo, director of the eco-documentary *A Green Trip*, to discuss production bottlenecks with BBC Natural History Unit producers Peter Venn and Jon Clay. The event, joined by senior co-producer Jianlan Li, provided filmmakers with insights into funding opportunities and innovative approaches to eco-films.
Kean explained, “Our mission is to showcase and celebrate stories about animals, nature, and the future. This year, our youngest artist, a 10-year-old, created an animated short that earned our Special Mention Award. We hope to inspire more young creators and audiences in future events to work towards a sustainable future.”
The festival team believes that film curation offers a unique platform to highlight underrepresented topics. ANFFF Lead Curator Chongjin Gan remarked, “Our selection moves beyond traditional scientific documentaries. By including experimental films, animations, ethnographic films, and interactive screenings, we invite audiences to experience ecology in an immersive way.”
Coinciding with World Animal Day, ANFFF featured therapy dog screenings and collaborations with animal welfare charities, underscoring the deep bonds between humans and animals. As reported by BBC Radio on October 4, film critic Toby Rose highlights that this year’s festival emphasizes pet therapy, featuring numerous charities dedicated to animal welfare. Engaging therapy dogs participated in various screenings, showcasing the strong bond between humans and animals. With aspirations for it to become an annual event, the festival aims to promote awareness and celebrate the vital connections that enrich both our lives and the lives of animals, thereby bringing the importance of ecological protection into the mainstream social agenda through media dissemination.
The festival organizer, International Nature Bond CIC, expresses special thanks to MIMAOKU Toys for co-designing the Moni pangolin toy and supporting endangered species. Our deepest gratitude goes to National Lottery and BFI Cinema For All for their funding support. Special thanks to the Audience Choice Award coordinators Yitong Wang, Peijia Deng (Edinburgh), Baily Blyth (Teesside University), Zeli Yu (KCL), Niki Ashby (Brunel University), Baola Wang (UAL), and Ruobing Zhou (UAL), along with the dedicated student volunteers from each university for leading the sustainable Leaf Voting project. We are grateful to all partners and volunteers, including the international artists and charitable organizations who participated in the charity initiatives.
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