An award-winning Scottish documentary feature about a farm that allows dairy cows to raise their own calves will have its English premiere at Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival on Saturday (28th March).
A Dairy Story follows David and Wilma Finlay of Rainton Farm in south west Scotland, who spent 20 years developing Europe’s first commercially viable cow-with-calf dairy system. In conventional dairy farms, calves are separated from their mothers within hours of birth, while at Rainton they stay together for six months.
The filmmakers behind the independent production sought to have the English premiere of the film in Ramsgate due to the town’s long history of campaigning against the live export of dairy calves. The screening comes a week after it was announced that Compassion in World Farming, the world’s leading farm animal welfare organisation, has become an Official Partner for the film.
Director Ian Findlay, who will attend the Ramsgate screening for a Q&A alongside the farmer featured, said: “I’m delighted that Compassion in World Farming has become an Official Partner of A Dairy Story. Having an organisation of Compassion’s standing and reach choosing to champion our film is hugely significant, and we are looking forward to sharing the film with audiences at Ramsgate.”
Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming UK, said: “We were founded nearly 60 years ago by Peter and Anna Roberts, dairy farmers who could no longer ignore the harms caused by the rapid intensification of the industry they loved.
“Supporting A Dairy Story feels especially fitting for us, because it shines a light on farmers who are once again challenging the status quo and proving that a more sustainable and compassionate model is possible. Rainton Farm’s cow-with-calf system shows the kind of ingenuity and courage our founders championed, and we’re proud to help bring their story to audiences across the world.”
The film screens at Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival on Saturday 28th March, followed by a Q&A with David Finlay and director Ian Findlay. Tickets are available at https://ramsgateiftvfest.org/
The Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival (RIFTVF) is back for its ninth year, bringing over 20 feature films and 120 shorts to venues across Thanet.
The festival marks a significant milestone with its return to the historic Granville Theatre for the Grand Opening Gala, the first time the venue has hosted the event since before the pandemic.
All proceeds from the opening night will benefit Combat Stress, a charity supporting veterans.
Screenings will take place across four days from March 26-29 and multiple venues including Ramsgate Community Cinema, Newington Community Centre, and Ramsgate Music Hall, with the closing film at The Palace Cinema in Broadstairs and the Awards Ceremony at The Pavilion next door.
For full programme details and tickets, check the Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival website at: https://ramsgateiftvfest.org/
A beautiful story of hope to ban all factory farming and live exports and cruelty and suffering
They still end up at the same slaughterhouse.