Virtual abattoir shortlisted for Raindance award

Animal Equality’s iAnimal film, featuring Amanda Abbington, shortlisted for Raindance VRX award. Groundbreaking virtual reality film allows viewers to experience life – and death – through the eyes of a factory farmed chicken London (August 15, 2017) – iAnimal: 42 days in the life of a chicken, a fully immersive virtual reality experience produced by international animal advocacy organisation Animal Equality, has today been shortlisted for a Raindance VRX Award in the Best Social Impact Experience category. The winners will be announced during the Raindance Film Festival in September. The five-minute film, released in December 2016, is narrated by Amanda Abbington, star of Sherlock and Mr Selfridge, and features 360° footage filmed by Animal Equality investigators inside intensive chicken farms and slaughterhouses – including a farm in Devon, UK. Photo Gallery Amanda Abbington Trailer Full Video Website More information on the Devon farm Through the lenses of the virtual reality headset, you feel as though you are trapped inside a crowded chicken shed alongside thousands of other birds and then watch helplessly as your flock mates approach the slaughter-man’s knife – knowing that you are next. “This is so horrible, it’s just awful. How can you treat any living thing with such a lack of respect and disregard? People need to be aware, and they’re not.” said Amanda Abbington, who was moved to tears after experiencing iAnimal. She added: “You should watch this before you eat meat, because I don’t think you would eat it.” Dr Toni Shephard, Animal Equality’s UK Executive Director, said: “Experiencing iAnimal is just as haunting and life-changing as visiting any of the dozens of factory farms and slaughterhouses I have investigated in the UK. It is the closest you can get to experiencing how animals are raised and killed for food.” She added: “We are thrilled that Raindance, the UK’s largest independent film festival, recognises the powerful impact of iAnimal, and it’s potential to drive social change.” Earlier this month Animal Equality released heartbreaking footage from another British chicken farm which supplies Nando’s, Asda and Lidl. About Animal Equality Animal Equality is a voice for farmed animals all over the world; inspiring society, companies and policy makers to adopt compassionate changes for animals. The organisation has offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and India.