Thursday, June 14-------Protecting the rights of animals used in films is a primary concern for the organization Animal Content In Entertainment (ACE), a program of the Humane Society of the United States. This year, ACE is teaming with SILVERDOCS to offer a grant of $10,000 for a documentary film designed for theatrical, television or new media distribution that highlights animal issues. This morning, six lucky finalists had an opportunity to pitch their projects to a panel of film and animal rights experts. The Winning Pitch, and winner of the $10K grant will be announced at the Sterling Awards Ceremony on Saturday.

The six projects up for financing include:

• WHISPERING WITH THE BEARS (Janet Van Vissering, National Geographic International)
• FROM ITALY WITH LOVE (Lynn Stevenson, Producer + Director, Kinetic Pictures)
• SEAL MAN (Bart Smithers)
• DOG SQUAD (Allison Bean, Head of Development, Off The Fence Productions)
• LIVING DEATH (Martin Guinness)
• THE CONCRETE JUNGLE (Don Bernier, Co-Directoir, Mimetic Media)

Aside from the development funds, the award winning project will be promoted in the journals of the ACE and Humane Society publications and websites, have a special screening in Los Angeles for potential sponsors, and be eligible for the organization's Genesis Awards.

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Online Dailies Editor