In 1956, just after graduating college, Anne Innis Dagg went alone to South Africa to study giraffes. She was a pioneer in the research of a single animal in the wild, bringing back amazing film footage and observational notes. After returning from Africa, she earned a PhD, published numerous articles, wrote a foundational textbook on giraffes, and got into teaching. She wanted to do more giraffe research but found her way frustratingly blocked by sexist attitudes. So she worked to expose gender bias in academia and the failure to support women’s research.

There’s been an effort lately to shine a light on women whose work may not have been adequately recognized before, and The Woman Who Loves Giraffes shows the important scientific contributions and fascinating life of a giraffe-loving feminist pioneer.

The Woman Who Loves Giraffes has its final screening at the 45th Seattle International Film Festival this afternoon. Further details here. Check out The Stranger's complete SIFF guide here.