World Without Cows launches global theatrical tour after five-year, 22-country shoot

The award-winning documentary World Without Cows has released its official trailer and set a fall theatrical tour starting with premiere events in Dublin, London, Los Angeles and New York. The film aims to turn screenings into public forums about climate, food security and the future of global food systems.

Why it matters: - World Without Cows is positioning a documentary release as a live public debate about food, climate and nutrition. - The film enters theaters as policymakers, farmers, scientists and audiences continue to wrestle with how to feed a growing population while reducing environmental harm. - The tour is designed to travel widely, with screenings available in more than 25 languages and community-hosted events available through a partnership with Gathr.

What happened: - The World Without Cows filmmaking team and Studio 410 released the official trailer and announced a fall global theatrical screening tour on September 8, 2026. - Global premiere events begin in Dublin on September 9, London on September 10, Los Angeles on September 16 and New York on September 18. - Directors Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth and executive producer Dr. Mark Lyons are scheduled to attend the premiere events. - The official trailer is available here.

The details: - The documentary examines cows as part of the larger debate over climate change, food insecurity, biodiversity and rising protein demand. - The film was shot over five years in more than 40 locations across 22 countries and five continents. - Michael and Whitworth interviewed farmers, ranchers, scientists and environmental experts during the production. - The filmmakers describe the subject as more complicated than a simple yes-or-no climate argument. - After the initial premieres, the theatrical tour expands across select North American cities beginning in October. - The rollout also includes a large-scale route through the U.S. heartland and international events planned in South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. - Many screenings will include panel discussions with farmers, ranchers, scientists, students, educators, environmental voices and food and agriculture communities. - Communities can request local screenings through Gathr. - More information is available at worldwithoutcows.com.

Between the lines: - The release strategy suggests the filmmakers want the movie to function less like a standard documentary run and more like a traveling forum. - The panel format signals an effort to reduce polarization around livestock and climate by putting opposing or complementary voices in the same room. - Mark Lyons said the film offers a more insightful and hopeful view than a one-dimensional climate narrative. - Michelle Michael said there is no single simple solution to the world’s biggest challenges. - Brandon Whitworth said the film was made to encourage difficult conversations, not create an echo chamber.

What's next: - Additional tour cities, international screening events, participating panelists and special screenings will be announced in the coming weeks. - The film will continue expanding across North America in October and into additional global markets after that. - The production team plans to keep using community screenings to extend the film’s reach beyond traditional theaters.

The bottom line: - World Without Cows is launching as both a documentary and a conversation platform, betting that audiences want a more nuanced debate about cows, climate and the global food system.