Every year, 1.2 million dogs in shelters are euthanized. Not just because they’re old or dying but because they’re taking up space. Los Angeles filmmaker Jon Mancinetti wants to bring awareness to shelter overcrowding, fostering, adoption and pit bull breed discrimination.
Walk the red carpet with your four-legged friend on Saturday, April 28, and watch his 30-minute film “Loss and Found” at the Grange for a $10 donation. Half the proceeds will be donated to the Orcas Animal Protection Society.
Arrive at 6 p.m. for photos with your furry loved one on the red carpet as well as a chance to meet some of the shelter’s current dogs available for adoption. The movie will be shown at 6:30 p.m. followed by an after-party at Island Hoppin’ Brewery.
“This has become such a strong passion of mine, I want to combine my passions — combine my passion for filmmaking and creativity and combine my passion for animals,” Mancinetti said. “So this film is a huge movement in that direction.”
Following a fight with his significant other and his dog Russell dying, Mancinetti began fostering pit bulls and finding them good homes.
“It was the worst weekend of my life, and through starting to foster, I really just turned my whole life around,” he said. “Fostering dogs has been such a big benefit on my life.”
Now he travels the country giving screenings of his film and donating half the proceeds to local animal shelters. Duncan, the second dog Mancinetti fostered, found a forever home on Orcas Island with Lynda and Craig Sanders, and Mancinetti said he is excited to see his furry friend once again.
“I learned a lot from him … So Duncan was one of the first fosters that took some work,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a good opportunity to come visit my second foster, to show my film, to help spread awareness, to help save some money and just enjoy the scenery.”
View the trailer for the film at mancinettipictures.com. Tickets are available at Darvill’s Bookstore and the Orcas Animal Shelter. Some will be available at the door as well.
