Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

The Coalition for Quality Children’s Media (KIDS FIRST!) is honored to announce the auction of a rare, hand-crafted “Generations Heirloom Quilt” as a centerpiece of its 2026 Online Auction. Donated by a family rooted in the KIDS FIRST! community, this one-of-a-kind textile represents both a storied past and a bright future for youth media literacy.

The quilt was meticulously hand-crafted by the grandmother of a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Alumnus. It serves as a stunning example of traditional quilting techniques, representing hundreds of hours of dedicated artistry. For collectors and enthusiasts, this piece offers a unique opportunity to own a work that embodies the “Generations” theme—bridging the gap between traditional folk art and the empowerment of the next generation.

“At KIDS FIRST!, we focus on storytelling in the digital age, but this quilt reminds us that some of the most powerful stories are told stitch by stitch,” says Ranny Levy, Founder and President. “We are thrilled to offer this masterwork to a community that understands the patience and passion required to create such a treasure.”

Proceeds from the sale of the Generations Heirloom Quilt will directly benefit the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program, a national initiative that teaches youth (ages 9–23) critical thinking and media literacy skills. Their review and talent interviews reach over 4 million people every month.

Auction Details:

• Item: The Generations Heirloom Quilt, 88” x 74”, by Master Quilt Maker Jean Carteen (1997)
• Bidding Platform: https://givebutter.com/c/kids-first-silent-auction-mhoskr/auction
• Bidding Closes: June 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MDT
• “Buy It Now”: This item is eligible for instant purchase for collectors who wish to secure it immediately.

The Story Behind the Gift: The Carteen family is offering this treasured heirloom to honor the profound impact KIDS FIRST! has had on their lives. In a beautiful full-circle moment, the family credits founder Ranny Levy with recognizing the potential in Jean’s grandson, Keefer Carteen. The support he received helped him overcome a speech impediment and find his voice in the entertainment industry, where he is currently working on his first feature film.

This is more than a quilt; it is a legacy of love, offered to ensure the next generation of children find their voices, too. Support the future of children’s media by bidding on this extraordinary piece of handcrafted history.

About KIDS FIRST!: Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026, the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media (CQCM) is a national non-profit (502-c-3) dedicated to teaching children to become critical media viewers. Through its KIDS FIRST! program, the organization evaluates, cruises, and promotes high-quality media that inspires and educates. The KIDS FIRST! Film Festival celebrates its 26^th year and co-hosts film screenings in partnership with film festivals, schools, children’s museums and other venues across the US and internationally.

Fandango, the nation’s leading online movie ticketing service, today revealed the results of its annual Moviegoing Trends & Insights Study, ahead of CinemaCon, Cinema United’s official convention taking place from April 13th – April 16th in Las Vegas. Surveying over 5,000 moviegoers, this year’s study highlights how generational differences are shaping the future of theatrical moviegoing, with Gen Z and Millennials not only attending movies more frequently but also spending more per trip and seeking out enhanced, experience-driven offerings that extend beyond the screen.

The study reveals clear distinctions in how different generations approach moviegoing. Gen Z is leading attendance growth and treating moviegoing as a social, premium experience, over-indexing on premium formats, digital ticketing, and pairing trips to the theater with dining and group outings. In contrast, Millennials approach moviegoing as a more planned and value-conscious purchase, balancing entertainment with budget considerations and family logistics, while leaning into nostalgia more than any other group.

The appetite for summer moviegoing remains strong, with 76% of all moviegoers surveyed planning to see a movie in theaters this summer. Summer 2026 is gearing up to make quite a splash with titles like Toy Story 5, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Odyssey and Scary Movie (2026) leading the top 10 most anticipated summer movies list, offering a nostalgic adventure for all audiences and all ages.

The top 10 most anticipated summer movies are:

• Toy Story 5
• Spider-Man: Brand New Day
• The Devil Wears Prada 2
• The Odyssey
• Scary Movie (2026)
• Moana (2026)
• Minions & Monsters
• Mortal Kombat II
• Supergirl
• Sony/Blumhouse Insidious

The Complete 2026 Moviegoing Trends & Insights Study is available HERE.

KIDS FIRST! will celebrate its 34 anniversary in 2025! Amazing, huh. Since 1991 KIDS FIRST! has been empowering young people to become critical media consumers. Our program equips kids with the tools to select age-appropriate content and make informed choices.

Our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program is a cornerstone of these efforts, with a team of tween and teen reporters who review the latest film, TV and streaming released. Take a look at what they do!

https://www.instagram.com/kidsfirstcoming_attractions/reels

Our team of 65 dedicated young reporters, ages 9 to 22, immerse themselves in the world of film, attending press screenings, junkets, and red carpet events. They review the latest PG-13 and under-rated films, interview celebrities, and share their insights with you and over 5 million people through our website, social media, and partner publications.

To sustain and grow these impactful programs, we need your support. Just take a look: we are at 81% of our goal!

https://fundrazr.com/kidsfirstglobal

We know that there are many causes asking for your help, but in order to keep our program going, we need help from people like you, who read our weekly newsletter and watch and read our reviews.  While our young reporters are all volunteers, our dedicated staff – responsible for training, coaching, editing, and promoting their work – are professionals who need to be paid.

Our goal is to cultivate a generation of informed and conscientious consumers. We measure our success not by awards, but by the positive impact we make on young lives.

As we celebrate our 34th Anniversary year, please help us shape future generations by making a donation of any amount. We have matching funds to match dollar-for-dollar your donation, up to $5,000.

https://fundrazr.com/kidsfirstglobal

With your support, we can continue shape a brighter future for generations to come.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Ranny Levy and the KIDS FIRST! Team

Are you passionate about media?
Do you love talking about the latest films or TV shows?
Do you imagine yourself as an entertainment reporter? Look no further. We have a place for you where you can do all that and more!
We invite you to audition for our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Team here: https://www.kidsfirst.org/become-a-juror/

Fill out our online audition form. Along with your personal information (which we do not share), you’ll be asked to submit a sample 200 word written review of a film or TV show and to upload a brief video about yourself to our dropbox folder.

Next, our staff reviews your application and schedule an online audition. Don’t be discouraged; we don’t expect you to get it 100% right the first time. And, we’re looking for kids who are able to be coached.

We will notify you whether you are accepted or if you need to work on your skills a bit more.

Once you are accepted, you’ll be asked to complete our six-week online training course, so you are well prepared before you undertake your first assignment.

Upon successfully completing this course, you’ll be invited to join our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics national team of reporters where you will be assigned films, TV shows and other media to watch and review. You will watch shows before they are released; you will interview celebrities on and off the red carpet; you will attend behind-the-scenes events for new film and digital releases. We ask that you make a one year commitment to working with us. Most kids stay longer than that.

Sound like what you’re looking for!
Go here to for additional information. 

https://www.kidsfirst.org/become-a-juror/

Take a look at what our awesome reporters are doing.

Contact us if you would like additional information

Today, one week into our annual year-end fundraising campaign, we’ve reached 20% of our goal, thanks to generous people like you! Please help us reach 100% so we can continue our important work in children’s media, which often changes lives one person at a time.

As we begin our 33rd year, I’ve been reflecting on our journey and our vision for the future. When I co-founded KIDS FIRST! in September 1991, little did I know that it would evolve into my life’s most defining work. A casual conversation with my colleague, Paula Miller, marked a turning point in my life. We, along with a few others from the children’s media industry, had been toying with the idea of creating a service that would help parents choose quality programming for their children. Paula, having recently been laid off, posed a question that forced me to confront my own commitment to this idea. She asked, “Are you serious about doing this?” Her question was a wake-up call. It was time to either fully commit to this idea or let it go.

By the end of our first meeting, we had developed a business plan to start a nonprofit and created a list of potential board members. As she drove away, we literally tore that list in half and began making phone calls. I still remember calling Peggy Charren (Founder, Action for Children’s Television), who grilled me like I was on the witness stand before saying, “Oh sure, you’re fun to talk with. I’m in!” After that, things began to flow pretty smoothly, though we definitely had our ups and downs. We launched the concept at VSDA (some of you remember that conference), where Bruce Apar, Editor of Video Business, approached me and said, “You need me on your board.” We did! Many other critical people joined us along the way and I’ll share some of those stories at a later time.

What I did not know at the beginning is how this organization would grow and become so much more than meets the eye. On the surface, we teach media literacy in action to our team of 65 tween and teen reporters who review the latest films and interview the cast and crew. But KIDS FIRST! is so much more. We have created a community where these young people can engage with media professionals in a dialogue that makes children’s media relevant. We build lifelong friendships for young people with a shared interest in storytelling, filmmaking, and investing in their future. We help them find their purpose and become leaders who impact the lives of others in a meaningful way.

Please help us meet our end of year goal by making a contribution yourself and sharing our story with friends, family and colleagues. Every little bit helps, whether it is $5 or $1500.