Vanessa Amoroso, Animals in Entertainment & Work, FOUR PAWS: “Last night I had the chance to attend a screening of The Empathy Project a thoughtful exploration of what empathy really is and how it shapes how we relate to other animals, humans, and the environment. The level of consciousness and presence among the panel was palpable, creating a space that felt deeply contemplative and grounded. The film left me reflecting on the idea that empathy isn’t something we gain as we get older, it’s something we’re all born with, but that this capacity is often programmed out of us as children. As adults, we can become disconnected, feeling deeply, yet unsure how to honour that empathy without becoming overwhelmed. The film offered a powerful reframe: rather than shutting down and out, we should lean into feeling and turn it into small, everyday actions. For those of us working in animal welfare, this really resonated. Empathy is at the heart of what we do, and when nurtured and practiced, it becomes a quiet but transformative force for change.”

Lisa Burnell, Community & Content Strategist, Institute for Humane Education: “The film was beautifully shot and captured; I was scrambling to write down quotes and notes throughout as interviewees were speaking and thoughts and inspiration ran through my mind.”

Aditi Daga, Communications & Engagement, Animal Thinktank: “The Empathy Project was powerful and provocative without being a typically vegan. And it had so much heart.”

Laura Dempsey, Founder, Gen Earth: “I wanted to share how much the film meant to me – both now as an adult with agency to make choices aligned to my values, but also for my former self as a young person who always loved animals but started to see very early on and understand the horror and pain inflicted on them.”

Dom Dyer, Wildlife Protection & Animal Welfare Campaigner, Author, Writer, Chair of Nature 2030: “Well done to Dan Richardson & everyone involved in making this moving & thought provoking film.”

Jon Hall, Director, Outsider Music: “I was so pleased to come to something put on by people who actually care - despite the subject matter being terrifying. I left feeling that my heart was lifted and moved.” 

Gautier Houel, Founder and Editor, Green Londoner: “The film proposes a simple but powerful shift: seeing animals as living beings, not commodities — and rethinking our relationship with the living world through empathy. hrough testimonies from activists, chefs, gardeners, vets and others, the documentary invites reflection without lecturing or doomism — even if some facts are unsettling (for example, the biomass of livestock — especially cattle — vastly outweighs that of wild mammals). The hopeful part: we all have agency. As Bel Jacobs summed up the project in three words: love, grief, reconciliation. And as one guest put it: “When you eat meat, you eat the forest. If you missed last night’s screening — or if you’d like to organise one for your community — reach out to Tristan or Bel.”

Ed Jarvis, Strategic Adaptation for Emergency Resilience Campaign Development Lead, Climate Majority Project: “I’ve watched it twice. It’s exceptional. What a difficult subject to approach. There are so many different angles and there’s a lot of films out there that go down the Dominon route. The Empathy Project is something that is very watchable by a really broad range of people. It’s got more than hints of the hideousness of the industrial process but without the graphic which means it’s accessible to a big chunk of people, compared to something that would just horrify. The interviewees are excellent. These people who have converted across. Their stories are powerful. There must be a world of people contemplating a plantbased lifestyle, a world of vegetarians and those in the climate movement, who are actively engaged by it but need a bit of a nudge. This is a really good film to help do that.”

Helen Maitland, Qualitative Research, Animal ThinkTank: “The film has so many aspects to it - the journey stories, the focus on animals and the physical and psychological harm they experience, the hope and vision at the end.”

Councillor Natalie McVey, Green Party: “Firstly, thank you for making such a brilliant film. I’m not ashamed to say that it made me cry. It brought back some strong feelings of injustice and rage and reminded me how strong my feelings are and why animal protection is so important to me.”

John Mullen, TV producer and campaigner: “The film was EXCELLENT. Such a clever way to engage the heart and head.”

Chris Rhodes, lecturer, Chair of Transition Town Reading and writer for Resilience Magazine: “Beyond its immediate content, the film ricochets out echoes and ripples, negotiating both structures and surfaces: tracing the lines of a whole, out of kilter, system of interconnected, interdependent components that needs realignment, and “empathy” is probably the best way forward.”

Caroline Royds, Islington Climate Centre: “The film really moved me. It was subtle and clever. It seems so simple but it packs a powerful cumulative message - and how interesting that words alone can still be so moving in these image-ridden days.”

Gemunu de Silva, Tracks Investigations: “The Empathy Project is a wonderful film. It genuinely made me question some of my own assumptions about storytelling. I’ve always believed in the power of exposing hidden suffering, but this film reminded me that empathy, reflection and quiet conversations can sometimes reach places that shocking images cannot. I really loved the film - affected me more than the usual investigative films that i normally see. Gentle, honest and heartfelt!”

Michelle St John, Founder of VinE (Veganism in Education): “Thank you for inviting me to watch your fabulous film and to take part in the discussions it inspired, it was truly thought-provoking.”

Sarah Westwood, Co-founder & Creative Strategist at ODA Branding: “I feel so fortunate to see a screening of The Empathy Project tonight. It’s beautiful, affirming, and deeply moving - a film that genuinely galvanised me and left me thinking long after it ended.”

Susanna Feder, Philanthrophy Manager, Animal Equality: “Thank you again and congratulations to everyone involved - on a very moving and impactful piece of work which showcases just a few of the many different people who are active for animals.”