In a dog-centric area of North Carolina, an inexhaustible cat lover opens – at age 82 – a cat museum, the success of which defies expectations and helps support his no-kill, open cat shelter.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Kim Best

Watch Little Works of Art here:

Why did you make your film?

My film is about Harold “Cat Man” Sims’ recently opened American Museum of the House Cat in Sylva, NC, which houses over 10,000 cat-related objects. It honors cats as “little works of art.” But, more importantly, the Museum supports Sims’ no-kill, open cat shelter (called “Catman2”) that keeps homeless cats from being jailed, like criminals, until they can be adopted. I personally love cats, so I naturally wanted to draw attention to Sims’ work. Also, as a short documentary filmmaker, I actively seek out and explore offbeat topics and/or dynamic characters who yield surprising personal stories. (For example, a previous film featured the first woman deputy in the Durham County (NC) Sheriff’s Office, who was dubbed “The Shark” by her colleagues because of her formidable resolve and who rose to the position of a major over 30 years.

Another short film explored the story of a curious house, shaped like a spaceship, that wove its way through many lives since first appearing on North Carolina’s Outer Banks in 1972.) In the case of this particular film about Harold Sims’ Museum, I found an astonishingly inexhaustible 82-year-old who – in his devotion to cat welfare – practices what he preaches: That if you have a vision and put enough effort into it, that dream will come true.

Little Works of Art - Harold Sim's recently opened American Museum of the House Cat in Sylva, NC, houses over 10,000 cat-related objects. Credit: RomanticAsheville.com.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Anyone who appreciates cats will also appreciate becoming acquainted with Harold Sims through this film. He’s an encyclopedia of feline knowledge and the objects in his Museum, collected for more than 30 years, are well-curated. In terms of his vision of more humane cat shelters, he is both sincere and inspiring. But my intention in making the film was to also make it light, somewhat quirky, and fun to watch.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

We are all in search of meaningful activity and impact in our lives. Harold Sims, who taught at a junior college in Florida for 22 years, wondered what further impact he could have upon retirement. He found a renewed purpose when he volunteered at an animal shelter that killed cats that were not adopted. He vowed at that time to start the first no-kill cat shelter in the very dog-centric Jackson County, NC, and did so in 1996. Since 2002, he’s adopted out more than 4,000 cats. In his words: “I worked hard to get the dream of having my own shelter come true. Then, the Museum was another dream that I had.

Everyone I talked to thought I was crazy. They said, ’No one wants a cat museum in Jackson County. This is dog country.’ But when I opened the Museum, the editor of the local newspaper wrote a column saying he had to eat his words, because ‘Mr. Sims opened his museum to a very successful crowd.’ So, it’s important to have a dream. Without a dream, nothing can come true.”

Little Works of Art - The American Museum of the House Cat in Sylva, NC, supports a no-kill, open cat shelter. Credit: RomanticAsheville.com.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

I approach all documentary film work with a spirit of curiosity and discovery. I research the topic, as a journalist would, and try to come up with a number of provocative questions to ask interviewees. But I don’t script anything. So, once I had transcribed the interviews for this film, it was just a matter of how to edit the material to make it educational, inspiring and entertaining.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

During screenings, I’ve been pleased to hear audience members both make sounds of empathy (on behalf of cats) and to laugh at times. The film is 12.5 minutes long, but I was told that I should have made it longer.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Yes, in that I try to keep my films as short as possible. Ideally, I aim for 10 minutes and worried that 12.5 minutes would be too long.

Little Works of Art - Harold Sim's recently opened American Museum of the House Cat in Sylva, NC, houses over 10,000 cat-related objects.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I’d like to draw attention to the work being done at the Catman2 shelter. Also, I believe that the example of how Harold Sims achieved his vision through dogged resolve could inspire others, whatever their “dreams” or “visions” might be.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Film festival directors and journalists.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

If a cat is not a criminal, why should it be jailed in a cage?

Little Works of Art - Harold Sims honors cats as "little works of art" and his shelter has adopted out more than 4,000 cats in the last 15 years.

Would you like to add anything else?

I was a print journalist for 25+ years. But I had a “vision” to start telling stories through video. So, I went back to school in 2007 (at Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies) and learned to film and edit from scratch. I’ve had a number of films screened now at various venues. So, if you have a “vision” to become a filmmaker, it’s within reach. Furthermore, one doesn’t necessarily need a crew to produce a film. I do everything myself, which gives me a lot of freedom and flexibility

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Although it’s premature to publicize it, I’m beginning a project about an African American woman who has created a B&B here in Durham, exclusively for women to support and encourage each other.

Interview: December 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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“Little Works of Art”

In a dog-centric area of North Carolina, an inexhaustible cat lover opens – at age 82 – a cat museum, the success of which defies expectations and helps support his no-kill, open cat shelter.

Length: 12 minutes, 37 seconds

Director: Kim Best

Producer: Kim Best

Writer: Kim Best

About the writer, director and producer:

Kim Best worked for 20 years as a science/medical writer and editor for daily newspapers and an international nonprofit. She earned her Certificate in Documentary Arts from Duke’s Center for Documentary Studies in 2010. In short videos, she shares the work and successes of international nonprofits; highlights worthy causes and individuals; and tells off-beat tales. Links to more of her work can be found at: www.kimberlybest.com.

Looking for: film festival directors, journalists

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.best.712

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Not sure, but it will tour the country in 2018 as part of the NY Cat Film Festival.

Meanwhile, it can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYx57c8023c&t=47s