Gathering all cat lovers!
CatVideoFest is returning to theaters nationwide. The celebration of felines in cinema begins on August 7, 2026.
Founded in 2016 by Will Braden, CatVideoFest is a collection of the latest and greatest cat videos featuring cats being adorable, playful, or getting into some kind of funny trouble. Variety’s report on CatVideoFest describes the production as follows: “…a 73-minute non-stop cat video that’s exactly what you think it is: a wholesome time capsule of the early YouTube internet, or perhaps your grandma’s Facebook feed. This is I Can Has Cheezburger?: The Movie There’s no big story or uniformity between the clips; some are in a vertical format, others fill the entire screen with captions and emojis, and some are, in the words of early YouTube, recorded in a toaster.
The event raises funds for cats in need through partnerships with local charities, animal welfare groups, and shelters. Since 2019, CatVideoFest has also facilitated adoption, foster care, and volunteer registration.
It’s also big business for theaters. The festival has grossed more than $1 million domestically and nearly $2 million worldwide. This year, the company plans to expand from about 200 locations to more than 330 screening locations in the U.S. and Canada. Overseas, the film is also scheduled to be shown in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Brazil, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and France.
Braden tried to expand over the years, at one point launching DogVideoFest, but didn’t get the same response.
“The cat’s personality lends itself to jokes and funny parts,” Braden told Variety last year. “Dogs are very submissive and want your affection. Cats are more hands-off. And their facial expressions are like a blank slate, and they’re kind of arrogant. That allows them to project more onto the dog. There’s a reason why the ancient Egyptians worshiped cats.”
Here’s a first look at the poster:
