By Coral Gables Gazette staff
Cat lovers, prepare for purr-fection: CatVideoFest 2025 returns to Coral Gables Art Cinema on Saturday, August 2, offering a rare chance to enjoy a curated collection of internet-famous felines, oddball kittens, animated antics, and music video mashups—all for a good cause. The screening begins at 12:00 p.m. and promises to be more than just a laugh-out-loud highlight of the weekend. It’s also a chance to help local cats in need.
Now in its seventh year, CatVideoFest has grown from a niche novelty into a global phenomenon distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories. With each passing year, the festival expands its reach and impact. The 2024 edition surpassed $1 million in worldwide box office sales for the first time, and organizers believe 2025 could set a new record.
Internet cats go cinematic—for a cause
Unlike the spontaneous, one-by-one nature of TikTok or YouTube rabbit holes, CatVideoFest offers a thoughtfully curated 75-minute reel of the most delightful, quirky, and heartwarming feline footage gathered from around the world. It’s a playful, immersive theater experience filled with laughter, gasps, and frequent awws.
As The Wall Street Journal once put it, “Watching silly cat videos is good for you”—and research backs up the claim. These videos boost mood, relieve stress, and offer a shared emotional experience. But there’s more to the event than fun and fluff.
A portion of ticket sales from the Coral Gables screening will support The Cat Network, a respected local nonprofit organization that works to reduce cat overpopulation through sterilization, adoption, advocacy, and humane public policy. By attending, guests aren’t just watching mischievous tabbies or tumbling kittens—they’re helping real cats receive care, avoid abandonment, and find safe homes.
Coral Gables venue, national mission
Located at 260 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Art Cinema is once again hosting the event, continuing its tradition of offering programming that blends artistic value with community engagement. The venue has long prioritized events that speak to both the heart and the city.
“We love hosting events that bring the community together while also giving back,” said a representative from the cinema. “This one’s especially fun—it’s perfect for families, cat lovers, and anyone looking for a dose of joy.”
Each screening of CatVideoFest nationwide contributes to the festival’s mission: to partner with shelters, animal welfare groups, and rescue organizations. Oscilloscope Laboratories donates a portion of proceeds from every showing to local cat-focused charities, giving each screening a civic impact tailored to its location.
In Coral Gables, the partnership with The Cat Network reflects years of collaboration. The group offers low-cost spay/neuter services, trap-neuter-return programs, foster care, and adoption outreach, serving as a cornerstone of humane cat care in Miami-Dade County.
Affordable tickets, local access
Tickets are priced to encourage wide community participation:
- $8 for Coral Gables Art Cinema members
- $12.75 and under for nonmembers
- New members can save up to $4.75 per ticket and skip online service fees
Advance tickets are available now at www.gablescinema.com. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and early arrival is encouraged, especially for families and larger groups.
Attendees are invited to use the Coral Gables Trolley or Freebee on-demand electric vehicles to reach the cinema, which is centrally located near shops, restaurants, and public parking garages. The city’s transportation options make it easy to enjoy an afternoon outing without hassle.
A joyful ritual with growing impact
CatVideoFest may not feature special effects, superheroes, or Hollywood drama, but it offers something else: a joyful communal ritual. It’s a celebration of internet culture, shared laughter, and gentle activism.
For those who believe entertainment can lift spirits and make a difference, this is the rare screening that delivers on both.
If you go…
What: CatVideoFest 2025
When: Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Ave.
Tickets: $8 (members), $12.75 and under (nonmembers)
Why: A delightful, all-ages celebration of cats—supporting The Cat Network and local feline welfare
