‘Black Beauty’ Director Ashley Avis Launches ‘Lost Horses’ Campaign With PSA Set to Billie Eilish’s ‘What Was I Made For?’ at Sundance

Writer and director Ashley Avis, best known for the Disney+ adaptation of “Black Beauty” and the upcoming film adaptations of “City of Angels” and “American Wolf,” has launched a new initiative through her nonprofit, the Wild Beauty Foundation (WBF).

The Lost Horses campaign hopes to harness the power of film and Hollywood storytelling to spotlight the tens of thousands of horses who disappear into the slaughter pipeline each year—and to rally public support for the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1661/S. 775), which would ban horse slaughter in the United States and the export of horses for slaughter abroad.

The campaign PSA debuts on Jan. 23 and is set to Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” It features Olympians Jessica Springsteen and Karl Cook, actors, Mackenzie Foy, Beth Behrs, Zosia Mamet, Pom Klementieff, Dermot Mulroney, singer and songwriter Dewey Bunnell of America, the New York Times bestselling poet Atticus and the community-based collective, Compton Cowboys.

“The story of America’s horses is one of both profound beauty and heartbreak,” said Avis, founder and president of The Wild Beauty Foundation. “My hope is that through the emotional language of cinema, we can shine a light on this national tragedy—and remind people that compassion for all living beings is both powerful and necessary.”

The SAFE Act is endorsed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Animal Welfare Institute, EQUUS Foundation, Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) and The Cloud Foundation.

“Storytelling has the power to change hearts and change laws. As Co-Chairman of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus,” Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-Florida) said, he is “proud to lead the bipartisan effort to pass the SAFE Act, legislation already supported by more than half the House that would permanently end horse slaughter in the United States and stop the export of American horses for slaughter abroad. Horses helped build this nation and continue to serve as athletes, companions and therapy animals today. I commend the Wild Beauty Foundation for using the power of cinema to shine a light on this cruelty and highlight the need to protect America’s horses.”

Over the coming year, The Lost Horses will roll out a series of short-form films, digital and traditional PSAs, and live events, highlighting everything from wild mustangs and rescue horses to lesson ponies and Olympic athletes.

“As Co-Chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus, I’ve seen how deeply Nevadans care about safeguarding our wild and domestic horses,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV). “The SAFE Act will finally close the loopholes that have allowed thousands of equines to be exported for slaughter. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation and grateful to organizations like the Wild Beauty Foundation for helping the American public understand what’s at stake.”

“Wild horses and burros are part of our national heritage,” added Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9). “As a co-chairman of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus and a co-sponsor of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, I am dedicated to preventing these animals from being sold into the slaughterhouse pipeline. A humane and compassionate approach is the best way to save them.”

Here’s the PSA: