Celebrities from the world of entertainment and animal welfare turned out in London for the premiere of a documentary on bear bile farming.

“Jill Robinson: to the moon and back”, goes behind the scenes of Animals Asia’s work to end what many people believe is the world’s cruellest industry.

Shot at Animals Asia’s China Bear Rescue Centre, the documentary reveals the abhorrent scale of the suffering caused by the bile industry, while also highlighting the work of Animals Asia founder and CEO, Jill Robinson’s work to end it.

At the UK premier on 24^th November, celebrities such as Peter Egan (Downton Abbey), Virginia McKenna (Born Free) and actress Rula Lenska were present to back the cause they have long supported.

The film has been independently made by the award-winning Orange Planet Pictures.

Film-maker Andrew Telling said:

“I felt it was so important to reveal how Jill, with nothing more than her resolve, created change from the inside out while working passionately, intelligently and peacefully.

“Those of us involved in the production of this film believe that if just one person is inspired to act as a direct result of seeing this documentary, then the repercussions for animal welfare and conservation will be immeasurable.”

Animals Asia founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:

“I personally, and everyone at Animals Asia, am enormously grateful that Andrew and the Orange Planet team chose our work as the focus of their documentary. I can’t think of anyone I would trust more to make this film.

“While initially out of my comfort zone, I was thrilled to be able to use the platform of this documentary to shout from the rooftops about the passion and effectiveness of animal welfarists in China, and help to show that working from the inside out is the only way of getting things done. 

“We hear too often that people are cruel in Asia – and hear too little about the enormous movement that is literally changing the lives and destiny of so many animal species – a movement I am privileged to be part of.

“Together we're all hoping more than anything that the message of animal welfare progress in Asia can be shown and celebrated as Andrew's dream intended.”

Orange Planet Pictures are exploring ways to bring the movie to the public in 2017.

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