On a chilly winter afternoon in February 2023, Dr. Cliff Redford and his daughter Emily warmed up a full-house audience at the Fox Theatre in Toronto during a successful documentary premiere, Dr. Cliff Worldwide Vet. It skillfully merged two different genres of storytelling, part travel diary and part animal health show, to entertain and educate viewers.
Fans of Dr. Redford were already familiar with his volunteer work at the Shades of Hope Wildlife Sanctuary in Pefferlaw, Ontario. Several years ago, he began doing the same internationally, working with animal rescue groups where the needs were high and resources slim. In time, Emily joined him on these travels, and Dr. Cliff’s Instagram and YouTube channel feature their work in Egypt, Jamaica, India, Greece, and, more recently, in a war zone at the border of Poland and Ukraine.
Producing this documentary was a natural transition for Dr. Redford to narrate his amazing animal rescue missions. It received a standing ovation at the launch, and it was no surprise that it went on to earn numerous nominations and win awards at film festivals across the globe.
Watch the documentary now on TVO DOCS.
Nominations and Awards
Onira Film Awards, New York – Awarded Best Documentary Feature, Best Nature Film
New York International Film Festival – Awarded Best TV Series Pilot, Best Nature Film
Royal Society of Television and Motion Picture Awards – Outstanding Achievement Award Documentary Feature and TV Series Pilot
Gangtok International Film Festival – Multiple awards winner, including Outstanding Director and Best Feature Film Editor.
Golden Fern Film Awards – Award Winner, Best Nature Film, Outstanding Achievement Documentary Feature.
Athens International Monthly Awards Film Festival – Best Documentary
Hollywood North Film Awards, Toronto, Ontario – Best Director Canadian Feature Film/Doc
New York City TV Festival – Award Winner – Best TV Series/Documentary
Markham International Film Festival – Best Editor