Humor, Compassion, and Climate: The "Friends Not Food" Journey
At the My Name is Climate foundation, our mission is to humanise the climate crisis through the "Voice of Nature." Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Felicia Greenfield and Aaron Prasad, the creative forces behind Friends Not Food—a groundbreaking sitcom pilot that is changing the way we look at animal advocacy and environmentalism.
FILM FESTIVALSUSTAINBLE FUTURECLIMATE ACTIONCLIMATE ADVOCATE
Lalit Bhusal
2/19/20262 min read
The Vision: Laughter as a Gateway to Change
Their journey with us began in 2025, when their pilot episode was submitted to our film festival. It didn't just screen; it resonated deeply, earning them an Honorary Mention Award for its unique blend of wit and purpose.
Felicia Greenfield, the creator and producer, isn't your typical filmmaker. With a background ranging from marketing for MLB and the NHL to acting in hits like House of Cards and Homeland, she felt a calling to merge her entertainment skills with her passion for animal welfare.
As a board member of the Little Bear Sanctuary in Florida, Felicia realized that while documentaries are vital, they often "preach to the choir." To reach a broader audience, she turned to humor.
"I developed the project to prove that laughter can open minds more effectively than lectures," Felicia explains. "I wanted to share the message with people who would never watch a documentary about veganism."
The Collaboration: From a Panel to a Partnership
The team expanded when Felicia met Aaron Prasad at the International Vegan Film Festival in Toronto. Aaron, an elite athlete and advocate who once cycled 7,600 kilometers across Canada to support sanctuaries, was immediately struck by the pilot’s "dry, quick, and intelligent" humor.
Aaron joined as the Producer of Ethical Shenanigans, bringing a deep understanding of the sanctuary world and a shared belief that the climate conversation is incomplete without addressing animal agriculture. Together, they are bridging the gap between entertaining television and meaningful advocacy.
Why a Sitcom at a Sanctuary?
Friends Not Food is set at a real farm sanctuary, featuring "resident" animals as stars. One of the highlights of the pilot is Hieronomous, a goat who naturally assumed the role of an onscreen "therapist" through improvisation.
During our interview, Felicia and Aaron highlighted the crucial link between our plates and our planet:
The Climate Connection: You cannot have a legitimate conversation about saving the planet without including animal agriculture.
Humanising the Cause: By getting to know characters like Hieronomous, viewers start seeing animals as "someones" rather than "somethings."
Progress Over Perfection: As Aaron noted, "There are no perfect vegans. We’re just trying to do as much good and reduce as much harm as possible."
What’s Next for Friends Not Food?
The ultimate goal is to see Friends Not Food greenlit by a major network or streaming service. They envision a world where sanctuary residents become household names, using their celebrity status to fund rescues and promote sustainable living.
At My Name is Climate, we are proud to support filmmakers who step outside the box to protect our "Voice of Nature." As Felicia so beautifully put it: "Art, when paired with purpose, loses its ego."
Connect and Support
FRIENDS NOT FOOD
Website: www.friendsnotfoodthefilm.com
Instagram: @friendsnotfoodthefilm
LITTLE BEAR SANCTUARY
Website: www.littlebearsanctuary.org
Instagram: @littlebearsanctuary
FOLLOW THE CREATORS
Felicia Greenfield: www.feliciagreenfield.com
Aaron Prasad: @aarononpurpose
