Shining World Compassion Award Recipient: Allison Argo (vegan) – Cinematographer for the Innocent

Today, we are honored to present Ms. Allison Argo, an awe-inspiring, award-winning American film director, producer, and writer who strives to advocate for the innocent people of the animal kingdom who suffer from human-inflicted miseries. Over the past two decades, Ms. Argo has made 18 heart-awakening films for National Geographic, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and NATURE to carry out her noble mission, which is to lend a voice to the animal-people who are forced to live with unspeakable cruelties committed by humans.

Coming from a family of theatrical artists, Ms. Argo is known for her stellar performances on Broadway, on television, and in film. But her life changed after she met Ivan, a lone gorilla-person who lived in captivity in a shopping mall in Tacoma, USA. “So I made a film. My very first film was called The Urban Gorilla, and I had no idea how to make a film and I had no money. But friends helped me, and I learned while I was making the film. As a result of the film, people became so incensed that Ivan was living in these conditions that the store was picketed. It went out of business and Ivan was sent to a more natural environment where he could join other gorillas and live out the rest of his life.”

Ms. Argo went on to produce “The Urban Elephants,” “Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History,” “Parrot Confidential,” “The Last Pig,” to name just a few. To her, the changes her films have inspired are the greatest reward. “To me that's more important than any award that a film could win. If it inspires people to take action and to right the wrongs that are being done against other beings on the planet.”

Touched by her loving advocacy for the animal-people, our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Thankfully present the Shining World Compassion Award to Allison Argo for your noble work that brings our world awareness of the anguish and agony of the people from the animal kingdom, with all love, respect, and gratitude. May you enjoy ever more success and may Heaven bless you abundantly always.”