EQUUS Film & Arts Fest

EQUUS Film & Arts Fest

WELCOME FROM

Lisa Diersen

Director & Founder

Every horse has a story, it’s our mission at the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest to share those stories, through film, art and literature.

I want to personally invite you to join me in Sacramento, California, December 2-4, 2022, to enjoy our carefully curated selection of equestrian films. The EQUUS Film Festival is an exciting opportunity to celebrate two of my favorite things by bringing horses and film together. This year we will be showcasing the wonder of horses and their power to heal!

As an avid horsewoman and movie lover, I’ve seen over and over the power of telling stories through film. Horse movies have a magical ability to inspire, educate, engage and entertain. They lift us up out of our everyday lives and place us upon the backs of these magical animals. They help us see others’ points of view, those who are battling with PTSD, children with Autism, the prisoner learning to feel for others through working with horses. All of these stories help us to build new bridges of empathy and understanding through the power of the horse.

This festival showcases equestrian films selected for their ability to share the wonder of horses through the filmmakers lens. These equine films bring us closer to understanding the influence the horse has had on us throughout history. They show us how horses are playing an important role in healing our hearts today.

Covid lockdowns have moved us to expand our festival to a virtual global audience and helped the fest to reach filmmakers and their friends around the world. The 2022 fest will include both "Live" and "Virtual" events to continue to grow our expansive reach.

I'm honored to give equine storytellers from all over the world one more reason to create amazing films, literature and art focused on the horse. And I’m delighted that horse lovers everywhere will have the opportunity to experience some truly extraordinary equine films. If you can't make it to the "Live" fest then please join us on our streaming platform and enjoy these wonderful films, panels and interviews in the comfort of your own home!

I hope you’ll mark your calendars and join us December 2022 in Ocala Florida for another awesome and inspiring EQUUS Film & Arts Fest.

Stay Safe and Pony On.

Carpe Diem,
Lisa Diersen

Every horse has a story, it’s our mission at the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest to share those stories, through film, art and literature.

EQUUS is the ONLY equestrian film festival to offer the EQUUS FIlm Channel for our filmmaker to distribute their films!

The EQUUS Film & Arts Fest is the world’s premier showcase for domestic and International Equestrian Content feature films, documentaries, shorts, music videos, commercials, training and educational materials, art and literature. In addition to film programming, interesting guest speakers and presenters, informative PANELS and industry workshops. Hosting exhibits and interactive experiences with horses and trainers.

EQUUS Strives to bring a greater awareness and understanding to the unique relationship between horses and the humans who love them.

The EQUUS Film Festival host an annual award event highlight and reward the diverse and creative efforts of those in indie film, music, and advertising, who artistically pay homage to the horse through media. We travel with the WINNIE Award winners and other films to TOUR STOPS around the country and in the UK throughout the year.

Founded in 2013 by Director Lisa Diersen and adding team member Diana De Rosa as Co-Organizer in 2015, the EQUUS Film Festival has grown into the go to equestrian film industry event. Presenting over 80 films in 2018 and awarding the coveted WINNIE Award to the best in the herd, including Equestrian Art Film, Director, Documentary, Commercial, International, Music Video, People’s Choice and Best of Festival. EQUUS has also has created WINNIE Award categories for Literature and Art, that has rounded out our commitment to being the home to the storytellers of the horse world.

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Laurel Graeber of the NEW YORK TIMES wrote:

"EQUUS, however, has the heft and breadth of a Clydesdale, screening more than 80 films Friday through Sunday in Brooklyn. It also comprises equine art and book showcases, director panels and jury awards (the Winnies)... EQUUS has just instituted an on-demand streaming service for its films, which “aren’t made in somebody’s little back room on a laptop,” said Lisa Diersen, an equestrian and former engineer who founded the festival in 2013, “These are PBS-quality documentaries.” (Equus also shows a few fictional films.)"