Ages 2-5 Titles from KIDS FIRST!

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By Maica N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: FeatureFilm

I give 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I like Go Crazy. It's a really cute video with a positive message that spreads happiness.

This short film is about being yourself and showing positivity. It showcases different dances from all over the world, as well as people having fun, and doing things that they love.

The cinematography and editing are quite good. There are many different angles used, as well as fun filters and transitions that add interest and attention. I especially enjoyed some of the fun scenic international backgrounds showing people just having fun. This also adds to the diversity of the characters. The main song highlights the concept of the film and really adds to it. This song is super upbeat and sets the mood of how it all plays out. There are many special effects using colors and textures. They are used throughout the transitional moments to enhance the fun feeling. There are no specific characters; it shows many different people having a good time. I enjoy the production design because all of the special editing effects really elevates the entire film.

My favorite part of the film is its message to have fun and be yourself. It's a good reminder to stay positive and be yourself no matter what.

I give 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 3 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Battle Plan 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Mikella G. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I really like the short animated film, Battle Plan, because it tells an important message in a very simple way. It reaches the audience that its intended for which is also important. Overall it flowed very nicely and it stands out.

The storyline follows a young girl who has an epiphany about the current state of our planet. She sees the harm that pollution is creating and designs a plan to help save the earth. It's a musical ode to young activists everywhere.

What a lovely short film from France by filmmakers John Banana and Mathilde Michea. I like how the story raises awareness about climate change. It is entirely non-narrative so the girl and her actions tell her story, highlighting how actions speak louder than words. The 2D animation is really cool. I like how it transitions from black and white to color to show different moods and feelings. It also uses a variety of angles to show us different points of view. The different locations - the girl's bedroom, the shipyard, the shopping center, the school yard - all are well defined. The music, by Tim Bruzon, is perfect for the film and creates a vibe of strife and discontent. The main character, the young girl goes through a major transformation during the film, from her initial awakening until we see her speaking before a huge audience, passionately relaying her message to a group of bored adults. But, the other kids join her and together they her journey of helping the planet. She grows and goes through the different stages. By the end she is affecting others, and making real changes. The ending is dedicated "to all the great little Gretas" in honor of Greta Thunberg. My favorite thing is the film's message which really emphasizes the importance of cleaning the planet, and how change must be done.

The film's message is that climate change is a real thing and helping the planet is a necessity.

I give Battle Plan 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Mikella G. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 5 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give My Big Big Friend: The Movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8, but little ones would need someone to read the sub-titles. By Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I love My Big Big Friend: The Movie; it's a colorful and fun animated film from Brazil. The message of facing your fear of meeting new people is perfect for all ages. It brings a smile to my face and reminds me of when I was young. All the children in the film have animal friends including a pink polka dot giraffe, blue elephant, and a green kangaroo. This feature film is based on the TV series My Big Big Friend, and is in Portuguese with English subtitles.

The storyline follows three kids, Yuri, Lili and Matt, whose parents have arranged for them to go to day camp with their imaginary animal friends Golias, Nessa and Bongo. Instead of being excited, the children are afraid of meeting new people. When it is time for them to catch the bus to the camp they run away instead. They find themselves at place that is governed by a clown, Mr. Doodledoubt. Mr. Doodledoubt appears to be their friend but his real aim is to separate the children from their animal friends and make them as miserable as he is. The rest of the story is about how the children use art to rescue their friends, face their fears, and return home.

The story line is magnificent -- I love the close relationship the children have with the animals and how the animals encourage the children to face their fears. The story is very easy to follow and kept me wondering what might happen next. The animation is very well done with vibrant and well defined colors. The figures of the children are realistic but stylized. The art supplies that the children use to help find their friends are also fun and realistic. The backgrounds are beautiful. The colors of the landscape are vibrant and exciting. It is fun to see the children get inside of huge bubbles and fly around the world. The music is original and helps tell the story. The voices are clear and fit perfectly to the animated characters. It is very easy to pick up the tunes and hum them to myself. There are no special effects per se but the animation of the fireworks is very well done. The voice actors skillfully fit all the personalities of the animated characters including the giraffe, elephant and kangaroo. My hat's off to the director, Andres Lieban, who has won several awards for his work on animated films. My favorite part of the film is when the art supplies are singing and dancing about how art is smart. It is very imaginative and fun.

The film's message is that you can learn to face your fears and use your internal resources to deal with new experiences and have fun.

I give My Big Big Friend: The Movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8, but little ones would need someone to read the sub-titles. By Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!

KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-8
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: FeatureFilm

I give Little Girl, Big Imagination: At the Beach 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Avani M. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Little Girl, Big Imagination: At the Beach offers a charming blend of music and dance.

The film follows a little girl who goes to the beach with her doll, then falls asleep and dreams of her dancing beautifully.

This middle student created film is fun and calming. The location at the beach is quite beautiful and the dancer is quite lovely. The classical music plays big part in creating an overall tone of the film. My favorite part is when the girl starts dreaming in the sand.

The message is that you can be what you dream.

I give Little Girl, Big Imagination: At the Beach 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Avani M. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 4 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Little Image-Bearers: Jesus: The Savior 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Mr. Phipps is a Fred Rogers sort of host of this show that informs kids about different things in the world.

In this episode, Mr. Phipps visits an emergency medical technician to discuss life-saving measures that are used in emergency situations. In puppet pretend, Prince Bobo must get the key from the dragon to free Fair Lady Lala. Despite Bobo's best efforts, confrontation with the dragon is inevitable. After Bobo's display of courage, Mr. Phipps decides to create his own sword using household items.

This is an episodic show hosted by Mr. Phipps, played by Caleb Phipps, who is also the film's Director, Writer and Producer. In this episode, we meet an emergency medical technician who tells us what epi pens are all about. Caleb's on-camera presence is very calm and direct. You feel as if he is a responsible adult who kids can trust. The segment with the puppets is quite cute and has another good message about helping others. That's followed by a craft segment, making a sword out of a cardboard tube and foil. The last segment features an excerpt from the Christian Bible, which is delivered with great gusto. The film is well produced with good video and audio, including minimal sound effects and background music. I can easily imagine this finding a place on daytime television, but certainly it would be appropriate for a youth and family film festival, provided the Christian content is appropriate for your venue.

The show's message is about learning how the world works.

I give Little Image-Bearers: Jesus: The Savior 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 27 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-8
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Babookums: Seven Fantastic Stories 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Since there are subtitles it helps if the child can read or, has someone to read it to them. By Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Babookums: Seven Fantastic Stories is an amazing animated film that not only is fun to watch, plus has lots of good messages for children of all ages. The Babookums are adorable creatures whose fun and fantastical adventures that I enjoyed and believe children will also.

The film is about Babookums which are small creatures and robots which live around us. They come in all different shapes and colors and have superpowers. The Babookums go on seven adventures -- fishing, going on a rescue mission, flying from a birthday balloon, shopping for clothing and eating too much. In each story they learn valuable lessons such as it's okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them and our differences make us special. This feature film is from Lithuania and is in Lithuanian with English subtitles.

This film is fantastic. It has magical animated creatures who find themselves in amusing social and emotional situations. Not only is it fun to watch, the messages are important and relevant for young peop0le. The animation is done masterfully executed. The characters include a green cat, yellow and black and blue robots, an orange fish, a robot that resembles Batman, a hip-hop mechanic and a roly-poly bug on a skateboard. The shapes of the characters are all different and a twist from common characters, but their actions resemble human movement. The backgounds are realistic and help tell the story; included are a human house, a lake and a forest. The animated creatures speak Lithuanian, but are subtitled in English. All of the seven stories put the Babookums in different social and emotional situations similar to what we experience every day. Each story teaches valuable lessons in an easy to digest fashion. The stories and the songs that go with them are memorable. The music is very enjoyable; it's funny and helps deliver the messages. One of the funniest, sung by the green cat, tells us how enjoyable his day is because he slept well and had a good poop. The voiceovers of the characters fit them to a tee. I particularly enjoyed the hip-hop mechanic and the Japanese monk, both of whom sound realistic.

I applaud the director, Tadas Vidmantas, an award-winning Lithuanian filmmaker, for his excellent work. There are so many parts of this film that I enjoy. I loved the adventure of the green cat finding a birthday balloon. Since he has always wanted to "fly like a bird," he attaches the balloon to his waist and then gets stuck when the balloon hits the ceiling. Although he is embarrassed and does not want help from his close friends, he finally realizes that they are the only ones that can help. One of the robots has a laser as his superpower, and he shoots the balloon string and the Babookums are able to catch the green cat.

There are several valuable messages in these seven stories. The ones that stand out to me are that is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them and that each of us is special because we are different. Not that it does contain acts of violence.

I give Babookums: Seven Fantastic Stories 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Since there are subtitles it helps if the child can read or, has someone to read it to them. By Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!

KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: FeatureFilm

I give I Want To Be An Eagle 4 out of 5stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8, plus adults. By Madeleine H. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I Wanna Be An Eagle is a delightful animated short music video. The colorful animation is beautiful and fun to watch, plus it tells a great story with nice singing and music.

The storyline is about a sweet anthropomorphic sparrow, Petronia, who sings about her ambition to become a majestic eagle. The film takes us on the musical journey of the sparrow's dream with beautiful animation and a tune that tells of her ambition.

I like the sparrow singing about her dreams for a bigger life. The beginning scene is a little bitter-sweet due to the reasoning behind the sparrow's song and her wish to be an eagle. I like how quickly and easily the music tells the story. We are treated to a realistic flight of an animated eagle soaring across beautiful landscapes and waterways into a big cosmopolitan city. The animation is crisp and colorful; the characters and scenery are quite lovely and very detailed. When the birds take flight it feels as if you are flying along with them. The backgrounds are very realistic looking - the building and scenery below -- which makes this animated film easy to relate to. Aside from the opening scene, most of the scenery is shown from a bird's perspective. Petronia is more cartoonish than the eagle or the backgrounds, but she is drawn in a pleasant way. There is one song throughout, sung by Callen Fu, which tells Petronia's story and her ambition. It is pleasant and quite catchy. My favorite scene is the opening scene when the birds are flying all over.

The film's message is to dream big.

I give I Want To Be An Eagle 4 out of 5stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8, plus adults. By Madeleine H. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 4 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-8
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give I Don't Want To Go to Mrs. Hum 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Avani M. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I really like the film I Don't Want To Go to Mrs. Hum. It is very funny and the story is told in a very catchy song which I can't stop singing now.

Every Sunday, the Nguyen household erupts into chaos as two sisters frantically prepare for their piano lessons. One day, the main character does not want to go to her piano lesson, so she makes a funny song about it called "I Don't Want To Go to Mrs. Hum."

This middle student film is a kick and perfect for KIDS FIRST! It's my favorite film of the week! I recommend this film because it is funny and fun. I like that the story tells of the hardships of learning something new through a song. I don't like that the piano teacher compares the girl to her sibling. The camerawork is well done. The lighting falls a bit short at times, but not distressingly so. Creatively, two actors play all the different characters -- Khang Nguyen and Minhtu Nguyen portray two sisters, as well as the piano teacher, and even the dad. They are also the film's writers, directors, and producers. It's fun that this film is somewhat biographical in telling their own story about piano as an integral part of their daily lives from the whining to the procrastination, jokes and enjoyment. The two of them are adorable and make great appearances on camera. The music plays a big part in this film because the whole story is told through a song. My favorite scene is when they go crazy practicing their instruments.

The film's message is that sometimes kids need a break from their activities.

I give I Don't Want To Go to Mrs. Hum 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Avani M. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 5 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give The Commander and the Silly Woman 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This reminds me of the "upside down story" as a child is in control and the one adult follows his direction.

The storyline of this elementary student made film questions why adults think they have the right answers, know best, and have rules for everything. In this film things turn things around as a young commander flies through brain space, helping a young enjoy her life more fully. The opening and closing images stars and space set the scene for this short film. The young commander directs the woman to dance, eat chocolate cake messily, put her feet up on the table and walk barefoot outside. It's full of fun images and surprises throughout.

The film's message is to play more, work less.

I give The Commander and the Silly Woman 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 8 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Alpha Generation 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. By Keila V., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I really enjoyed Alpha Generation because it has adorable and realistic animation, plus a powerful message about friendship and the importance of being a kid.

The storyline follows a young girl named Rebeca who loves to read and use her imagination. She tries to convince her neighbor Marcelo to play outside with her. Instead of joining her, he plays video games all day. The film is from Brazil but is non-narrative so there is no language issue.

It is important to remind children (and adults) that friendship is very powerful. I like that the young girl has perseverance and never gives up trying to convince her friend to play with her. The animation is fantastic and the quality of the production is amazing. The backgrounds are very well done and ties the story together. Rebeca and Marcelo are two children who are best friends. They enjoy opposite things but when it comes to using their imagination they are two peas in a pod. The directors, D�bora Resendes and Luri Moreno worked very well together in creating a high quality production. My favorite scene is when Rebeca sets up an obstacle course to cheer Marcelo up after she drops Marcelo's gaming device into water.

The film's message is about the power of friendship and how opposites complement each other.

I give Alpha Generation 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. By Keila V., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 11 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give A Liberian Wedding 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Marilyn S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Very enjoyable overview of a Liberian wedding. Oliver and Lucas travel to Liberia to attend a traditional Liberian wedding that will be held in a small Liberian village called Peace Town. Liberia, a tropical country located in West Africa, is rich in culture and customs and so Oliver and Lucas have an amazing time learning and making new friends in this beautiful tropical country.

This sweet documentary is made by two young Australian boys, Oliver Rafeh (Director) and Lucas Rafeh (Cast) and written and produced by Genway Rafeh. The boys arrive in a village in Liberia and we follow them as they become involved in the community as it prepares for a wedding, making music and dancing. The boys join in the festivities and are warmly greeted by the gatherers, young and old. At the wedding, the bride appears in a gorgeous white dress led by a group of attendants all dressed alike, singing and dancing. Good camera work; good audio and good narration by the young hosts. What a lovely introduction to Liberian culture and its beautiful people. It definitely only scratches the surface, but it's a good start at understanding this culture.

The film's message is to show us a traditional Liberian wedding.

I give A Liberian Wedding 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Marilyn S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 8 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Cinda Real 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Madeleine H. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I love the animated film Cinda Real, because it addresses diversity and overcoming physical challenges. It's a loveable take on the classic Cinderella story.

The story follows Cinda, who has one leg, but it does not stop her from her love of dance. Because of her disability her step-mother and step-sisters are cruel to her and deny her a ticket to the Prince's Ball. With the help of a kindly old woman and some forest animals she is able to attend the Ball where she just wants to dance and be her true self.

This is a familiar story with a beautiful new twist and a sweet reminder to celebrate our differences. This film was developed and executed through contributions from both children and adults. It is super cute seeing all the forest animals helping Cinda. I especially like the joy they bring when she is able to attend the Ball. The animation is stunningly beautiful; the characters and scenes are beautifully drawn in gorgeous, vibrant colors. The main characters and scenery are created in an artistic hand-drawn fashion -- like colorful sketching. The secondary characters and background scenes are simple in muted tones of gray. The scenery places the characters in familiar backgrounds including a cottage kitchen, a fairytale forest and a Princely Castle; they transport you along with the characters in a very pretty way. I like that the background music and sounds are subtle; the sound effects of the animal chitter-chatter is expressive without being too literal. The film is from Slovenia with dialogue in Croatian, English, French and Slovenian. It is subtitled in English.

Cinda goes from being a lonely character content with dancing by herself, to a very motivated person set to change herself to fit in as she discovers her true self and passion for what makes her special and happiest. Cinda's graceful dance movements dancing are particularly well done. I love the scene where Cinda makes pancakes for her step-family; she turns a mundane task into an opportunity to dance and express her inner joy.

The film's message is that if you are passionate about doing something you can make it happen.

I give Cinda Real 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Madeleine H. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 17 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5-12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - The blue-footed boobies of the Galapagos Islands have a rule that only males with blue feet can be popular. After being rejected in a courtship dance by his favorite female, the protagonist sets out on a quest to find "blue sneakers" in Tokyo, across the sea.

Wow! Bright colors and wonderful, percussive background music. I love the animation of this film. It completely wakes you up. And the storyline is adorable. Poor little Blue-Footed Bobby's feet are not true blue, so he takes off to Tokyo to find himself a pair of blue sneakers so he can capture the heart of his beloved. And yup, he finds a dandy pair, buys them and struts out of the store. A trickster crow connives to get the sneakers from him and he ends up back in the Galapagos without his sneakers, but with a big bouquet of blue flowers, which his girlfriend adores. This is absolutely adorable and fun.

The film's message is about being true to yourself. You don't need to hunt down the perfect footwear to impress your beloved.

I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5-12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 4 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Buckets City 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Carlee S. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Buckets City is really a terrific film with great animation and a good message. The storyline about the rivalry between the two bullies and Duckhammer and Kid Squirl is very engaging and relatable. The quality of the animation is good and adds just enough details to catch the viewer's attention.

Protagonists Duckhammer (a duck) and Kid Squirl (a squirrel) compete in a game of basketball with bullies. Years later, the two of them learn new moves and decide to do a rematch against the bullies.

This film will captivate the audience's attention with its entertaining storyline and terrific animation. I like how the storyline doesn't shift from the goal of the main characters' dilemma over a basketball game against bullies and trying to impress others. It starts with the bullies defeating the protagonists and ends with the protagonists winning a game. The animation is mostly smooth and showcases some details in both the settings and characters. The action of the characters is really outstanding. Each character has distinguishing details that define their personalities. Kid Squirl and Duckhammer are always in workout clothes. They are friends and constantly are sort of nagging each other, in a friendly way. There are times when the basketball game is being introduced where the animation for the animals shifts to images of realistic animals and words added on screen. I like this and found it very creative. I also like the details of the city setting showing the buildings and various activities in the background. The characters wear clothes that fit their personalities. For example, Duckhammer is sporty and wears athletic clothes and an athletic headband. Claire wears a skirt and top that makes her seem girlish, although she is also actually sporty, too, which adds a surprise to the story. The interior of the house, after years have passed, shows how it has aged. The deterioration of the couch makes it seem like time has definitely passed. The neighborhood changing to a big city also shows how time has passed. Some of the city details in the background are interesting. For instance, there are different shops and characters doing different things. During the basketball matches the music is upbeat which builds suspense and excitement during the game. There are also sound effects added at different times, such as in the city when they are walking. The sounds reflect those you might hear in a city such as a traffic signal and someone skateboarding. The detailed sound effects in the basketball game and in the city stand out and add interest to the film. The main characters are Duckhammer (Kyle Branton Ross) and Kid Squirl (Dave Quion). The bullies are Rhinokill (Desnar Pandiangan) and Geksniper (Kyle Blanton Ross). Claire (Jana Joy Quion) is a squirrel that Kid Squirl likes. All the voice actors match their individual characters quite well. Dave Quion is the director, writer, animator and background artist, in addition to voicing Kid Squirl. Kyle Blanton Ross did the sound and music effects recording, in addition to voicing Duckhammer. The film's message about perseverance and believing in yourself is intriguing. The twist at the end is also a highlight of the film. My favorite part of the film is when Duckhammer and Kid Squirl reveal that they had tricked the bullies into believing that they were too full to play well in the basketball game.

The film's message is that with perseverance, hard work and teamwork, you can achieve your goals. A second message is that you don't need to impress others with fancy things for them to like you, just be yourself.

I give Buckets City 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Carlee S. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 7 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Stories of the North 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Adorable! I love the concept of this show and the execution is excellent!

This TV series for children helps teach Cree through stories told by a Moshoom to a young girl.

What a charming show! It's made combining animation and live action, with the live action portion being a conversation between a young girl, Natanis (Mya Hoskins Fiddler) and an adult man, Moshoom (Morris Cook). In this episode, Natanis asks Moshoom about where their food comes from and he tells her stories about the foods they grow on their land, using Cree words as he does that -- not just for a single word, but complete sentences. He also sings a song to her, with drum accompaniment. Both Moshoom and Natanis are completely natural in their conversation and the viewer feels as if they are observing an actual conversation between the two. This has excellent production values, from the camera work to the audio. The live action part all takes place in one place; they are sitting on a sofa with a red and white striped covering on it. I can imagine this show would be a big hit with Native families, but really anyone that is interested in learning about other cultures will enjoy it. I think I might have even picked up a few Cree words that I can remember. It helps that at the end of the show, they review key words that they have used in their conversation. Nice background music also.

The film offers audiences insight into the Cree culture, guided by Moshoom, specifically in teaching simple words and phrases.

I give Stories of the North 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 8 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give MeiHouWang 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. By Keila V. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I enjoyed MeiHouWang because of the music, drama and its outstanding creativity.

Sun is an unpretentious little boy who goes to preschool for the first time and tries to make new friends; he ends up channeling the strength of the legendary Monkey King to earn the respect and recognition of his somewhat nasty classmates.

I like that Sun tries several ways to become friends with anyone on his first day of school. When that doesn't work, he draws upon something deep within himself to take on his classmates, which are pretty tough little preschoolers. The 2D animation is terrific and the background music is awesome - which is essential since this is entirely non-narrative. The animation is based on Asian drawings. The story's theme incorporates the traditional character of the Monkey King who is a martial artist. The film takes places entirely in the children's classroom. Director and producer, Justin Ni, definitely has mastery over this topic and succeeds in bringing the story to life, while giving us a little bit of insight into the Monkey King. My favorite part is when Sun makes his creation of his battle stick to defeat the pirate.

The film's message is a reminder that when you have a problem you always have your friends to support you.

I give MeiHouWang 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. By Keila V. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 6 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Saving Mango - A Cat's Story 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. Cat lovers will particularly enjoy this, but really anyone will. By Bria H., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I am not an avid viewer of films about animals; however, two minutes into this film, I was instantly drawn by the narrator's voice, which is the "voice" of the cat, the protagonist named Mango. I sensed a twinge of Ryan Reynolds' dialect, mixed with original delivery. The voice actor is Josh Bloomberg. I like the Garfield-esque direction of the film that allows the audience to hear thoughts of the cat. It is refreshing to see a cat being natural and not using CGI to create mouth movements. The CGI editing for the cat appears at the twenty-five minute mark and it is a tad distracting.

The story of this film focuses on the emotional response of a cat named Mango, who lives a suburbanite life with his suburban family. The family leaves and is involved in a car accident and Mango is forced to survive on his own - missing them and hoping they will return someday.

This is a terrific film movie that would be enjoyed by adults and children alike. I love how the film transports the audience into the mind a cat and how it reacts to the situation he finds himself in. There is a misconception that only dogs miss their families, when in reality, cats have an emotional connection to their owners as well. I was impressed by how the cat's movements match the narration. For example, in one scene there is a man who tries to provoke Mango with a rock, but Mango stares him down and says something like, "I am not a dog! Stop! I am not a dog." Plus, the eye movements of the cat match the narration. I did not enjoy the scene with the snake; it happens very suddenly and made me very uncomfortable. The cinematography is commendable and follows Mango as he moves about the house and outside. When the man takes Mango to a home and rings the doorbell, it is raining and the light is dim; it feels like the man is trying to get the cat to its home on a rainy day. I enjoyed some of the shaky camera movements like when Mango is transported by the man, the camera shakes a bit to showcase the tension between Mango's thoughts and what is going on. There are not a many other actors because the story is focused on Mango, but we do see a little girl, a man who seems to be homeless and the grandpa. The set design is pretty minimal; we see the kitchen floor, an outside area with a lot of leaves and a road. The director doesn't focusing much on the locations, which would have been a distraction. There is a selection of background music that is very nonintrusive - gentle piano music and nature sounds primarily. In the two scenes that turn dark the score ramps up and gets louder to match Mango's emotions. In the beginning, the effects are solid. I was not distracted by the cat, but around the twenty-five-minute mark, the CGI effects seem a bit off-putting. Those effects go away and I became invested in the story again. Mango goes through a great deal of character development. In the beginning, his voice seems to have a sense of pride with a bit of snarky humor. As the story progresses, his attitude turns into self-assurance, but with a sense of longing. The homeless man does not have many lines, but when he is on screen, he captivates the scene by unintentionally playing off the dialogue Mango has in his mind. The grandpa allows the cat to make up his mind about wanting to leave or stay. The director, Oren Peled, describes the inspiration behind the film as when his cat Simba, who plays Mango in the film, went missing - that event led him to craft this movie. His wife also helped craft the story. Oren mentioned why cat films starring real cats is not big. He noted that cats are extremely hard to control, especially when the camera is rolling. Since cats are reluctant by nature and skeptical of anyone who is not a member of the family, a real cat can be a nightmare to work with. So Peled decided to only have the family members that Simba knew as crew for the film and that made Simba more comfortable and made the filming go smoother.

My favorite part of the film is Mango the Cat! I love Josh Bloomberg's voiceover and how he brought life to a real cat. The cat's personality matches his voice perfectly and it is a delight to experience. The random outbursts from Mango made me chuckle, like when he keeps telling the homeless man, "Brush your teeth." It is a bit random, but the picture on screen and the cat's voice makes that interaction hilarious. I can certainly see this film screened at film festivals.

The film's message is about not taking anything for granted. Mango was so used to a semi-privileged lifestyle that, when his world turned upside-down, he lost a sense of self. Mango had to learn how to process feelings that he was unaware of. It's a beautiful message for children or adults as we can lose touch with what is real and what we desire our reality to be. As an adult, it made me reflect on how I would process my emotions if I came across a situation where everyone in my life just up and left without any explanation.

I give Saving Mango - A Cat's Story 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. Cat lovers will particularly enjoy this, but really anyone will. By Bria H., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 78 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Shyraq 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Avani M., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I like Shyraq a lot, because of the animation of the candle and the story.

This story is about a little Candle who lives in an attic and is extremely afraid of people. One day, a house cat sneaks into the attic and steals Candle's most beloved friend, a toy doll. Now, Candle must overcome his fear and go down to the people to save his friend. The film is from Kazakhstan.

This is a fun, family oriented and heart-warming film. I like how the disconnected family becomes a connected one in the end. At the start, the family isn't a connected family, but when there is a power outage, they come together again. The film's animation is stunning and really well done. The color palette is very calming and the texture of the animation makes it look very realistic. The candle is white and has a blue saucer. The doll has a pink beanie and dress. The humans are dressed appropriately to represent their roles. The music is a very crucial part of the film because it doesn't have any dialog. The music is very nice because you can hear and feel the intensity and emotion of the characters. The candle is scared at first and becomes brave because his doll is taken. The music is very well done, and you can feel the characters' emotions throughout the film. My favorite part of the film is when the candle changes his flame to cheer the crying baby up.

The message of this film is to be aware of and present to the people around us, especially our family.

I give Shyraq 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Avani M., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 25 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. I recommend it for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals because it really has a wholesome relationship between Layla and her grandmother, which is a great example for kids. By Nyara A., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I really love the wholesome storyline of the short film, Mr. Purr's Magical Suitcase! The plot is well written and the acting is very relatable -- the viewer easily connects with the protagonist and their journeys. The magical world in the suitcase, which is the main premise of the story, is well edited and feels real, almost like Narnia. I really love the relationship that the grandmother and the daughter have and how it develops positively over the course of the film.

The story follows a young girl name Layla, who has a cat named Mr. Purr that she loves dearly. She notices that he keeps appearing in random suitcases around her house, almost like magic. One day, her grandmother arrives at their house, at first she seems angry and cold, but as Layla begins to talk to her, she develops a kind of relationship with her that they did not have before. Layla and her grandmother travel into a special world deep inside the suitcase.

I really love how simple the storyline is, but also how the writers were able to fit so much context into the plot. The magical world in the suitcase is a metaphor for how beautiful our imaginations can be. Specifically, I love how the cat keeps coming back into the storyline, whether it helps the plot, or just adds a little nuance and simplicity. I also love how Layla works hard to make sure her grandmother has access to their little adventure, even though she is in a wheelchair.

The camera work is very high-quality; it feels like a feature film. The editing, especially in the suitcase, is well done and believable. The cinematography shows specific emotions in the actors' faces, and really highlights their intentions, even when they aren't saying anything. It would look great on a big screen. The costumes suit, the storyline and, although they are simple, they have meaning. When the grandmother decides to take off her head scarf, it shows a level of comfort she has with her granddaughter. Also, the adventurous outfit that Layla has on at the end looks almost thrown together, something a child would have in the room, which is perfect for the scene. The locations set the story perfectly, complementing the plot and adding to the visuals. The scene where Layla runs around in an open field stands out to me because the simplicity and vastness of the green is just beautiful and represents the story very beautifully. The background music is pretty simple, but suits the idea of the film. The music reflects the emotions of the actors.

The only special or visual effect is the suitcase. The light coming from the suitcase is a well-known effect in many storylines, and it's a well-used here. When we see the inside of the suitcase and glimpse a piece of sky, it is mostly believable. The editing is not flawless, but it's good. The character development is really beautiful. Anna Lucia Gualano portrays the character Layla in a very friendly and warm way. The relationship that she develops over the course of film with her grandmother shows just how much a character can mature and learn from their elders. It also brings a sense of imagination to her after she hears the different stories from her grandmother. My favorite part of the film is when Layla describes the magic suitcase to her grandmother and it starts to light up. The look on her grandmother's face, when she realizes that Layla's imagination has come to life, is just beautiful. It's a wholesome moment shared between them.

The film's message is that people have so many layers beneath what you see on the surface. People are sometimes very guarded and you have to really get to know and understand them before you understand what they are feeling.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. I recommend it for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals because it really has a wholesome relationship between Layla and her grandmother, which is a great example for kids. By Nyara A., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 15 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

The film's message is to value diversity, family and friends. I give The Prairie Dog That Met the President 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - The Prairie Dog That Met the President is a fun film and a great way to introduce opera to young audiences. I like that it's based on the historical Lewis and Clark Expedition when Captain Lewis sent a shipment to President Jefferson that included Indian objects, animal skins, bones and antlers, along with a live prairie dog, four magpies and a grouse. Not only is the music catchy, there is a song to the prairie dog that the audience sings to help him engage with the world. The message of valuing diversity, family and friends is a good lesson for all ages.

This interactive and engaging opera for young audiences is a fantasy based on some true events of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806. The story follows a magpie and a prairie dog that are discovered in the Great Plaines by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Captain Lewis decides to send a magpie and prairie dog to President Jefferson in Washington DC while he and Lieutenant Clark continue west with Sacagawea and other members of the Expedition. The trip to Washington DC takes them down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico, around the Florida Keys, and up the Carolina Coast to the Potomac River. Along the way, both learn to appreciate the diversity of life they encounter and the value of friendship. They meet other critters along the way including a pelican in the Bayou, flamingos in the Florida Keys and an oriole in Baltimore and become familiar with the diversity of life and the value of friendship and family. The prairie dog finds his voice and ends up teaching the President a valuable lesson when he finally arrives at the end of his journey.

This film is a great introduction to opera and has a historical basis. It is very entertaining and has a great message. It tells the seldom-taught story of the gifts sent by Captain Lewis to President Jefferson from the point of view of the prairie dog and the magpie. It masterfully unfolds and it is not at all predictable. The quality of the camera work is outstanding; the camera effectively captures not only the various birds and animals, it also captures the personalities of the characters. The actors are transformed into the various birds and animals with very imaginative costumes which include face masks and wigs. The use of pink tutus and pink boas for the flamingos is brilliant. The film uses a combination of nature scenes and virtual backgrounds to tell the story. The brilliant green grass of the prairie and the plants in the bayou stand out. The film serves as an introduction to opera for young audiences with easy-to-understand lyrics and voices portraying the personalities of the various creatures. The actors that play the prairie dog and the magpie are especially suited both in voice and mannerisms to the characters they play. The film is a creation of the Music, Film, And Theatre faculty and their students at Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. Director Shandra McDonald is an award winning screen writer and director whose magic clearly comes through in this production. My favorite part is the scene where the prairie dog and the magpie meet the three flamingos in the Florida Keys. They are dressed in pink tutus with pink boas and strut around just like real flamingos.

The film's message is to value diversity, family and friends. I give The Prairie Dog That Met the President 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 49 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

The challenge of writing a good screenplay is more than telling a good story, it's telling and sustaining a good visual story within the confines of the annoyingly rigid screenplay format. It drives all screenwriters crazy, but unless you're close buddies with Spielberg or someone like that, your scripts have to conform or - they won't get read. Good luck and never stop writing. I give Carlsbad 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18. By Juror #10
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Carlsbad is a well written story with a classical hero structure and a very likable, relatable young protagonist, Ovi, who is in line to be the next tribal chief - much to his dismay. Ovi doesn't like to hunt and do all the things the other boys do. He has a strong attachment to the natural world around him and an extraordinary appreciation for all things living.

Initially, it seemed that he might become a medicine man but that's not quite what happens. His external conflict is that he doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps. He doesn't want to be chief but - and this is what makes the story work - it's not that Ovi is afraid, he simply knows who he is and knows he doesn't have the necessary skills to lead his people. Nor does he have the interest. This makes for an interesting protagonist. The continuing conflict, external and internal, drives the story and after the sudden shock of his father being killed by a bear, Ovi leaves rather than staying to become Chief. He falls into a deep cavern and after drinking water bubbling out of the earth, discovers beings that live below the surface and a world where he seems to fit in.

Ovi is a good role model for a young audience. He is troubled by all the things most young people feel. He feels different, doesn't fit in with the other young men and knows that he is a disappointment to his father and his tribe. This could cripple many characters, but Ovi takes strength in knowing who he is and trusting that knowledge even in the face of rejection. This is an important self-actualizing story for young people - especially creatives.

In the world under the surface, he experiences pure, unbiased love but it isn't without challenges. The challenges and the love and support of his new friends - especially a bat named Echo, provide him with the courage he felt he lacked on the surface, the courage to save his new tribe.

Excellent storytelling with great animation potential. Carlsbad is beautifully described prose but needs to be more cinematic - each scene, a picture, - each scene concisely moving the story forward with conflict and emotion. The writing needs to be tightened with precisely the perfect word choice that alludes to the important visuals that the camera needs. When on page 23 and 24, Ovi is drifting in and out of consciousness in the dark cave; the camera has to see something. To see something, there has to be light. How do we light the scene? Perhaps as his eyes adjust, there is a faint glowing bacteria or glow worms, (which sometimes there is), on the rocks around him which lights his face ever so slightly and helps both him and us to stabilize before he finds the water. These are the cinematic considerations that have to be thought out as you write each scene.

The challenge of writing a good screenplay is more than telling a good story, it's telling and sustaining a good visual story within the confines of the annoyingly rigid screenplay format. It drives all screenwriters crazy, but unless you're close buddies with Spielberg or someone like that, your scripts have to conform or - they won't get read. Good luck and never stop writing. I give Carlsbad 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18. By Juror #10
Runtime: 95 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

This title has online video!

By Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Future TX is amazing, and I enjoyed it a lot, mainly because of the humor, transitions and the storyline.

The story follows a teenage boy named Dylan (Arran Kemp) who finds out he is moving to Dubai, away from his best friend Molly (Adelle Congreve). He decides to make a deal with his parents and buys a phone for himself and Molly. Suddenly they get a call from a mysterious man who claims he is from the future. Once he gains their trust, he tells them the fate of the future is in their hands, that they must save the future and he sends Dylan and Molly on an action-packed adventure.

Future TX is an awesome film. I enjoyed it a lot for many reasons. For example, the humor in this film is great. I particularly enjoyed the scene when Dylan gets ready to fight the guard with his shoe. I also like the scene when Dylan and Molly's TX make fun of Molly's hair. I was laughing throughout the whole film. Another thing I like about this film is the creative ways it transitions from scene to scene. For instance, when Dylan is waiting for his TX to call, the scene starts with Dylan looking straight ahead, then up, and when he looks back down, he is in a different set. Also, the storyline in this film is great. I like the part when Dylan gets a random call in the middle of the night, and all it says is, "Just be careful." In another scene that takes place two days later it shows Dylan calling his past self from the day before, and he says, "Just be careful," showing that Dylan has now created a loop.

The film's life lesson is an inspiring reminder that you cannot hold grudges against people, soon enough you will have to forgive them.

I give Future TX 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 through 18, plus adults. This film is available now on VOD so check it out. See ya!

By Gavin S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The future is on the line in Future TX! This classic caper raises the question, "Is choice an illusion?" Who decides what is right and what is wrong and is human behavior predictable?

In Future TX, Dylan Wrench (Arran Kemp) learns that his life is about to change. He and his friend Molly Slide (Adele Congreve) acquire mysterious new cell phones which connect them with a voice from the future. According to the voice of Future TX they are needed to put the future on the correct course and the two of them start to sort out this intrepid challenge while meeting interesting characters and situations manipulated by the devious technology company QuantaCrypt. After all, technology is meant to help people, right?

I really love how the movie starts out with thought provoking questions and mystery. Unfortunately, the plot doesn't quite live up to my expectations from this beginning. Arran Kemp plays the lead character, Dylan Wrench really well - I enjoyed his facial expressions, humor, and physical comedy. He interacts well with the other cast members and I particularly enjoyed the humorous scenes with his parents (Doug Cockle and Nicole Faraday). Original music by Steve Wright is very important to this story as it creates suspense and really drives the pace. The music was recorded by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, which adds an important element to the film and the story.

The message of this film is really a thought provoking question: Do you choose your own destiny or does destiny choose you? The only thing that we can really control is ourselves and the choices we make. It's important to live in the moments we have.

I rate Future TX 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It is available on VOD now so check it out.

By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: FeatureFilm

I give BedWars: Cheat Code 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Kyla C., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - BedWars: Cheat Code has an engaging plot with a unique execution. A combination of video games and social lives, this film is relatable for any kid, especially one that plays video games.

BedWars: Cheat Code follows two teams of young people in a video game championship, where the stakes are high. Ben (Jacob Hunter) and his teammates have been working for months to win. When he is begged by his teammates to insert a cheat code, Ben must make the difficult decision of winning and gaining a cash prize for him and his teammates, or doing the right thing.

This is a fun short film that expresses an important message for everyone. The story is engaging and relatable, while expressing the important message about not cheating. The short film addresses friendships, family relationships, and shows the video game while it's happening. The kids are pretty young, in the 8 to 12 age group it seems, and they are all quite well cast. Their performances are very believable. There is one camera angle for each kid, which is a creative way of showing a championship competition, as it has looks like being on a video call, which many gamers do while playing. Each kid has a suitable costume and a location that make sense, from bedrooms to kitchens to anywhere in a typical household. This is typical of where many kids play video games. The characters have very similar personalities, which can make some of the story a bit difficult to follow, trying to track who's who. However, especially on the blue team, each kid has something unique that helps distinguish which character is doing what. For example, some kids are football fans and like to jump up and down while others are dead serious and focused on the game. My favorite part is how there are split screen views with the players on one half or in a corner, and the game itself taking up the majority of the screen. This allows the viewers to see the actors' facial expressions and body language as well as hear them speak - it gives context to what they're saying and doing.

The theme of the film is that cheating isn't fair and games aren't fun if people cheat. Ben must make the right decision -- should he cheat and guarantee the prize, or not cheat but not win the prize for him and his teammates.

I give BedWars: Cheat Code 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Kyla C., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 14 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-5
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Babies and the Bear - Summer 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 5, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - The short animated film from Polish filmmaker Maja Garmulewicz, Babies and the Bear - Summer, is charming and suited to its preschool audience.

This is an episode of an animated series where two toddlers (brother and sister) and their friend, the Teddy Bear, take viewers into an imaginary world of colors and shapes. In this episode the children are tired of the heat so the bear takes them to the sea where they learn about nature as they play in the waves and meet a clam.

The animated characters are quite adorable and well designed. I particularly like the sunglasses on the bear. Their exploration of the beach is sweet. I love watching then play in the waves and make angels in the sand. When a clam shell pops onto the beach a pearl jumps out and one of the kids runs away with it, making the clam very sad until it's finally returned and everyone is happy again. The joy of the beach is definitely shown her, along with thoughtful and kind behavior, even when you have to learn not to take something that isn't yours. Who doesn't love making sandcastles, and lounging on a sling chair at the beach? It's silly and fun. The background piano music provides a suitable ambiance.

The film's message is to have fun while learning how to respect the environment you find yourself in and not take things that aren't yours.

I give Babies and the Bear - Summer 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 5, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 3 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-5
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give The 2:20 Line 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Marilyn S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Choo Choo! This isn't any ordinary train, it's created from the imaginations of a group of neurodivergent elementary school children and it's about to blow your mind.

This animated short is about a train line that leaves the station at 2:20. As the train moves along, we watch the various goings on through different windows.

I love the creativity of the animation used in this film - line drawings, claymation, paper drawings, and more. We observe what the students imagine in the train as it leaves the station and rolls down the track. I especially enjoyed the claymation train. But all the trains, the faces in the windows, are interesting and unusual. The background sounds are the sounds of actual trains on the tracks; then some background music shows up around three minutes. It's non narrative and doesn't really have a storyline to it, it's just images and ideas. The film ends at 4;15, but then it keeps going with credits that have the kids' names in interesting graphics and actually that's one of my favorite parts.

The film gives us insight into the minds of a group of elementary school children who show us what they see in the train that leaves at 2:20. I wonder if there is a train near their school that this inspired.

I give The 2:20 Line 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Marilyn S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 9 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Dog House 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5-12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - What a sweet short film about how life's changes affect the animals that live with us. A dog's comfortable existence is suddenly threatened by an unexpected change.

From the United Kingdom comes this animated film about "man's best friend." This film is beautifully animated and the lone voice we hear is clear. From the beginning, as we see the dog's ball taken from him and put into a box, we wonder what's up. The main character is a dog, an older dog, not a puppy - so we wonder what his destiny is. I love the animation; it is so lifelike, particularly the dog's facial expressions and especially as he looks out the car door window. We sense his confusion and are confused ourselves. The sounds of a guitar softly strumming in the background is soothing and non-committal. The car arrives at its destination, the door opens and we sigh in relief at what we see.

The film's message is about how change affects everyone in our lives, including our beloved pets.

I give Dog House 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5-12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 3:0 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

This title has online video!

By Keila V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-8
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: TV

This title has online video!

I give Jane 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Jane makes

KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: TV

This title has online video!

By Kendall B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: FeatureFilm

The message is that a superpower doesn't have to be what we only see in movies but can be something that helps people. I give My Superpower 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 12. Reviewed by Eunnet C., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - My Superpower is great, simply because we are shown a different approach to superpowers than the norm we are used to seeing. My Superpower is a short film that showcases a journey of a nine-year-old in search of his superpower, only to discover that his words have the power to help or to harm.

The New Zealand based writer, director, producer and star of this film is nine years old himself and deserves credit for an exceptionally well made film. The storyline is simple and appropriate for young ones seeking to discover themselves. The cinematography is simple and easy, which gives it the sense of discovery. I particularly love his use of close-ups, stop motion, shadows and a bit of claymation. Also, the animated words are a cool addition. I should add that some shots are out of focus and some are a bit shaky, but it doesn't detract from the overall film. The protagonist, Maxwell William, showcases great enthusiasm for having a natural superpower. I was drawn to it from the beginning simply because we are left to our imagination to determine what might be the power that Maxwell is excited about. If you are looking for a lovely film made by an elementary age student, with a great message, look no further, you have found it here!

The message is that a superpower doesn't have to be what we only see in movies but can be something that helps people. I give My Superpower 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 12. Reviewed by Eunnet C., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 5 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

Love this short film, from the music to the intent. And, the animation is adorable. It gives Robots personalities and human qualities, which endears them to us. The visuals are superb - plus bright and colorful. The stop-motion animation makes use of various stuff from wood scraps and metal pieces to children's blocks and clacking teeth. The film's message is a protest against the automation and dehumanization of everything as it anthropomorphizes "robots." I give Robots Don't Tell Jokes 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 18, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - What a wonderful film! Fun, spunky, great music and great message. This is exactly what fits into a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. Robot thinks he has a wonderful joke, so he keeps trying to tell it, but none of the other robots ever laugh. They tell him "robots don't tell jokes." Will Robot give up on his awesome joke or will he find his tribe?

Love this short film, from the music to the intent. And, the animation is adorable. It gives Robots personalities and human qualities, which endears them to us. The visuals are superb - plus bright and colorful. The stop-motion animation makes use of various stuff from wood scraps and metal pieces to children's blocks and clacking teeth. The film's message is a protest against the automation and dehumanization of everything as it anthropomorphizes "robots." I give Robots Don't Tell Jokes 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 18, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 3 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

The film uses images and music to make a far-reaching, long-term impact on the lives of children by teaching them how to help our environment. I give Be A Green Hero 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8, plus adults, By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This is a sweet animated short that teaches younger viewers how to help the environment.

Learn how to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle right every day with catchy upbeat songs sung by fun puppets (Mr. Recycle man, Chef Green and Daisy). Our song lyrics will teach children (and adults) how to "Think Ecologically" and Be a Green Hero! This delightful short music video features a team of puppets that teach kids about the environment and how to make positive impact on planet Earth. I love the Muppet style puppets; they are adorable and diverse. The music is fun and meaningful.

The film uses images and music to make a far-reaching, long-term impact on the lives of children by teaching them how to help our environment. I give Be A Green Hero 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8, plus adults, By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 14 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-8
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Mysterious Places 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Dominic D., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - The short film Mysterious Places shows some promise, although the true mystery is hard to determine. Viewers are set up within the multiple scenes for a mystery and it is quite enjoyable yet, in the end, the storyline falls short in holding your suspense.

The story follows a young boy who finds a map that takes him on a journey to solve a mystery. The map takes him to a variety of locations which appear to be checkpoints, but what that mystery is is unclear.

The idea of the young boy finding a map that leads him on a mysterious journey is quite exciting. The film is adventurous and has the element of suspense to it. The young boy is determined to solve this mystery which engages the audience. His curiosity and perseverance keeps us interested until the end of the film. The cinematography and camera work is excellent. Scenes are captured with a great deal of detail and angles are perfect. Scenes flow nicely and transitions are great. The costumes are suitable for the age of the actors and perfect for the script. The sets and locations fit the script and are perfectly chosen. Some of the locations are ominous which goes well with the theme. The music choices for multiple scenes are loud and overpower the action of the scenes. I felt that the music takes away from the film and is a bit irritating at times. The main character (Ryan Savarese) is fun to watch as he makes several stops displayed on his map in an attempt to solve the mystery. His energy and enthusiasm held my interest. The film was produced by a fifth grader student, which is quite a feat and I commend them for their work. My favorite part of the film is the final scene which takes the young boy to a secluded shed-like structure in an overgrown garden. This scene has viewers in suspense as we wait to find out what the mystery is all about.

The film has potential, but I was disappointed in the ending. Still, it is well made, considering the age of the creator. So, you decide. The message of this film is about perseverance. When solving a mystery, you have to examine clues very carefully, have considerable dedication, and never give up. The young boy does just that!

I give Mysterious Places 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Dominic D., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 8 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

The film's message is that there are two sides to every coin, or cat - even if one is entirely make believe. I give Willow's Tale 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Every film festival needs films that are "just for fun" and Willow's Tale is just that. It will make you giggle as you follow little Willow's antics in the real world and her dream world.

With animation by the neurodiverse artists of The Center for Learning Unlimited's Brainstorm Productions, here comes a motion picture that is the kitten's whiskers! Willow, a highly creative cartoon black cat, lives a domesticated life indoors with her human mama. However, her wild daydreams take her on flights of fancy around the world . . . and beyond!

Delightful animation, very colorful and dynamic. I love a cat that daydreams, especially when those daydreams are as fun and wacky as Willow's. The cat has two very different personalities, or life experiences - one of domestic contentedness, the other of a wildly adventurous kitty that travels worldwide and beyond. The juxtaposition of these two lives made me giggle as I love Willow's inventiveness. This is a fun romp that would play well in any children's or family film festival.

The film's message is that there are two sides to every coin, or cat - even if one is entirely make believe. I give Willow's Tale 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 4 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 1-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Le Ballon Bleu (The Blue Balloon) 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - As a long time fan of The Red Balloon, I was looking forward to watching this film which is based on it. I was not disappointed. It's true joy.

A curious blue balloon leads a girl on an adventure through the streets of Paris, but when she crosses paths with a little boy and his red balloon, it becomes clear there's a greater magical force at work between the balloons. As a takeoff of the 1956 classic French film Le Ballon Rouge Le Ballon Bleu is the origin story of the red and blue balloons. It is a story about the magic and innocence of childhood and the importance of friendship.

What a little delight. This short film is so reminiscent of the class film, the Red Balloon and takes place in many of the same Parisian locations as the original. The youth actors are delightful and their costuming is classic of the 1950s. Well shot, surprisingly on an iPhone. It is in French with English subtitles, but the dialogue is minimal. It does move pretty slowly, so for your action focused audience, they will need to slow themselves down to appreciate this one.

I give Le Ballon Bleu (The Blue Balloon) 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 15 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

The film's message is about wanting to make changes in your life. I give Rocking in the Wind 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Rocking in the Wind is an enjoyable short abstract animated film that would fare well with a youth audience.

The story is about a little stone that is at his place, gets visitors and can experience the world at a different pace, but as they watch the wind and how it plays with leaves and pebbles by whirling them around - they no longer want to sit still.

Beautifully animated, with soft almost watercolor like treatment, accompanied by a lovely musical score, this short film would make a nice addition to any children's film festival as an interstitial. The storyline about the stone wanting a different life, is one we can all relate to, and makes an interesting discussion starter.

The film's message is about wanting to make changes in your life. I give Rocking in the Wind 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 3 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

The message of the film is that anyone can follow their dreams if they focus and work hard enough. I give Come One Come All - The Salida 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. By Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Did you ever want to join the circus? Come One Come All - The Salida Circus is a fascinating and engaging documentary about a social circus. This relatively new movement uses circus arts as a medium for social justice and social good. The film shows how people are empowered though performing circus acts. It makes me want to run away and join the circus.

The documentary is about a social circus in Salida, Colorado. It addresses the history of the movement, details about this particular circus, and how both the adults and children train and benefit from the activities. The story line is very uplifting and motivational. The camera follows the performers from all angles and makes the audience feel as if you are viewing the circus in person. The colors are very vibrant. The performers' circus costumes fit the story line perfectly. The documentary is primarily filmed at the training location in Colorado, but there are also shots taken in Belfast, Ireland and other international locations.

We observe the adults and children who participate in the circus. The best parts of the film are watching the performances by the acrobats. It is as though you are performing with them.

The message of the film is that anyone can follow their dreams if they focus and work hard enough. I give Come One Come All - The Salida 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. By Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 27 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

The message is about what plants need to grow and thrive. I give How Can We Find Out What Plants Need to Survive? With Chris! 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Love this. This is a superb educational film that is entertaining and fun to follow. It's designed perfectly for a young audience.

This entertaining and educational film is part of the Virtual Academy's environmentally - themed STEM series. This collection aims to help teachers engage students in STEM while sparking curiosity and care for the one planet we have to call home. Hydroponics Teacher Chris Anderson kicks off this film by embarking on a trip to Mars. Traveling to space makes Chris think about what she needs to bring to space to survive. Besides water and oxygen, Chris will need food; she decides to grow her own food using hydroponics on the spaceship to last her long journey. To learn how to do that, she launches an experiment with her friend Lucia to see what plants need to grow. In the end, Chris finds out that with a little bit of help, anyone can be a space farmer.

Beautifully produced short documentary using a live host with a puppet sidekick. Great camerawork; excellent audio; superb presentation. This is a great way to present information in an entertaining way. The host, Chris, is a bit stiff in her delivery, but her puppet Lucia makes up for that, being more animated and more childlike. The information presented is well grounded and the language is suitable for its audience.

The message is about what plants need to grow and thrive. I give How Can We Find Out What Plants Need to Survive? With Chris! 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 9 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-8
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give How To Know If Something Is Alive? 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This short film offers a fun and interactive way that young children can learn about different things that happen in the natural world. The characters are cute and personable and their vocabulary is definitely age appropriate for its intended audience.

Using V-Tubing, this short film anthropomorphizes plants and creatures you can find in your garden into friends and teachers, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world. Sunny the Sunflower navigates through different natural environments during a tornado trying to remember who she is and what her name is with the help of a shark, an otter and an owl. This film helps engage students in STEM learning, while sparking curiosity and care for the one planet we have to call home.

This short animated film offers environmental lessons in an entertaining format through talking plants and animals. The visuals also include live action shots of various creatures, big and small. It also poses questions for kids to answer about things in nature. It's a cute format, simply put together in such a way that kids can easily watch and learn on their own, or be guided by an older person. The need for environmental education is more critical now than ever before and this short film helps deliver messages that little ones can easily understand and learn from.

The film's intent is to teach young children about things that happen in the natural world and emphasize the importance of protecting our environment.

I give How To Know If Something Is Alive? 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 17 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-8
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

The film teaches us how to analyze how we could plant a hydroponic garden on Mars. I give Can We Practice Commercial Hydroponics on Earth and on Mars? 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - What a delightful STEM-focused short film. It is well presented with great visuals and a terrific narrator.

This is an entertaining and educational film, a part of the Virtual Academy's environmentally-themed STEM series. This collection aims to help teachers engage students in STEM while sparking curiosity and care for the one planet we call home. The film's narrator, Farmer Tom, blasts off from Earth in his vessel, the Green our Planet Orbiter. His mission: to plant seeds brought from Earth on a hydroponic farm on Mars. Why does he have to go about farming differently on Mars than we do here? He sets out to find answers to this question and more while demonstrating how unique planet Earth is and exploring a new sustainable form of growing food.Lovely production: great visuals and excellent audio. Terrific message - this ties in well with KIDS FIRST!'s climate change collection. I love the way they present information about how to farm hydroponically. Farmer Tom ( ) makes an excellent presenter; he's vibrant, enthusiastic and well informed. I love how the film presents questions for the audiences, in an effort to make this show interactive for them, and gives them time to discuss their answers with a partner. The use of greenscreen easily makes Farmer Tom appear to be speaking from inside a space ship or from Mars itself. A lot of useful information is presented in an easy-to-follow format.

The film teaches us how to analyze how we could plant a hydroponic garden on Mars. I give Can We Practice Commercial Hydroponics on Earth and on Mars? 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 15 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

The film's message is that sometimes only you know which one is the right one. I give The Right one 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - What an interesting and charming short film from Anthony Deptula. I love the role of the young girl who knows what she wants immediately when she sees it.

A young girl (Nora Harriet) is forced to pick between a violin and a cello only to discover the right instrument for her is something entirely out of the ordinary.

Well produced; good visuals and excellent audio. Great background music! This non-narrative film, written and directed by Anthony Deptula, is driven by the background music, which pushes it along from start to finish. Nora Harriet is well cast as the young girl and so expressive. When she first sees her instrument (I believe it's a baritone horn), her eyes are as big as plates! Her parents pay her no heed; they walk out carrying a violin and the big brass instrument is tossed into the trash. But, much to our surprise it escapes and inadvertently has a wild night on the town until finally finds its way to the girl who picks it up and immediately begins to play.

The film's message is that sometimes only you know which one is the right one. I give The Right one 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 9 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give D.A.D. 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I love this short film. It delivers an inspiring and fun message to parents who put work before family.

A workaholic father comes home to discover his twin daughters have built a Digital Android Doppelg�nger that they lovingly call D.A.D.

What an interesting film and a message for workaholic dads everywhere - if you don't spend enough time with your children, something else will replace you. In this case... a robot. The film has great production values with excellent camera work and audio recording. The two girls, played by Gabriella Sims and Isabella Sims and the D.A.D., played by Darien Sills-Evans are well cast. They all play their characters quite realistically. The plot is well developed; I particularly enjoyed the scene when the robot D.A.D. is teaching the girls to ride hovercrafts. It drives home the idea that you can be replaced by a robot if you are absent enough. Kudos to writer/director James A. Sims for a well-developed short with a message.

The film's message is a funny and inspiring reminder for dads everywhere not to lose sight of what is most important to you.

I give D.A.D. 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 14 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

The message is about how a creative mind can conjure up stories out of the simplest inanimate objects. I give Kind of Fishy 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Enjoyable fantasy animation with amazing visuals.

The story offers a unique fish tale made with driftwood. Danny Driftwood creates his own underwater world with rocks, sand, leaves - and driftwood. And down there, magic dwells! New friendships, exploration - and an angry halibut.

This animation of this short film is outstanding with beautiful colors and realistic looking settings. The lead character, Danny Driftwood, makes an almost believable live creature as he explores his underwater world. New friendships are made and an angry critter tries to attack him and his newfound friends. But every escapes unharmed.

The message is about how a creative mind can conjure up stories out of the simplest inanimate objects. I give Kind of Fishy 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 5 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Grammy Green Thumbs 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - A charming short animated fantasy about a young girl and her grandmother experiencing magic in the garden.

Grammy Green Thumbs is a tale about a young girl called Elaine, her grandmother, and her friends. During the story, she learns to understand the power of nature, the respect for everything surrounding her and discover different aspects of life.

This sweet animated short film is a delightful way to expose young children to the magic that nature has to offer. It is well produced with sweet animation, a charming protagonist, and a nice pace. My one concern is about the inaccuracy of information when the sunflowers grow to full height in a few hours. However, in the spirit of fantasy, I can accept it.

The film's message is that having an open heart is one of the ways to see the magic of life.

I give Grammy Green Thumbs 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 10 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-8
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Jilly Goats Gruff 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Jilly Goats Gruff definitely made me laugh. It's cleverly constructed and well made. Definitely suitable for younger audiences.

In the magic world of Wisconsin, a Norwegian fairytale comes to life. Three Jilly Goats stand up to a mean Troll. A colorful story of girl power told by aspiring young actresses and college film students.

This is a fun college student produced short film that younger viewers will enjoy. It's a take off on a classic fairytale with humans playing animal characters, thanks to clever costuming. The camera work and audio recording is spot on. The storyline is fun and delivers a good message. I can see this as an interstitial at a kids and family film festival.

The message is "don't be too greedy or you might end up like that old troll - in the water under the bridge."

I give Jilly Goats Gruff 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 7 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

I give Five Little Ducks 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 5, plus adults. By Hanadie K. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Five Little Ducks is a cute and creative rendition of the classic nursery rhyme. The singing, in combination with unusual needle-felted animation provides a clever version of the nursery rhyme.

Not your typical version of Five Little Ducks. This short film puts a unique twist on an age-old children's song. Created in collaboration with children's musician Kelli Welli in needle-felted stop-motion animation.

This film features the song, Five Little Ducks and encourages views to try and keep up with the location that each duck is moving to. The stop-motion needle-felted animation is quite unusual and every character has an adorable look. One of the ducks even wears glasses. One wears a headband. One wears a purple hat. The background is a lake made of felt that the ducks swim about in. I really enjoy the singing which is sort of a bluegrass or country genre, which is in stark contrast from how we usually hear this song. The song is accompanied by the sounds of ducks quacking, which made me giggle. My favorite part is when the frog appears and starts watching the ducks line up. It adds another element to the story.

The film's purpose is about teaching young kids how to count to 5 and how to recognize different critters by their physical attributes or behaviors.

I give Five Little Ducks 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 5, plus adults. By Hanadie K. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 3 minutes
KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-5
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO

My Basketball Journey - Year 1 gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. This is a perfect film for KIDS FIRST! It is motivational, especially someone who has big dreams or fears failure. It is both educational and inspiring. Plus, Malcolm is African American. By Hanadie K. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I immensely enjoyed My Basketball Journey - Year 1. The story is so captivating that when it ended, I wanted more. The story follows a young boy named Malcolm chasing his basketball dreams. It is inspiring to watch someone chase their dreams, despite the many obstacles. For example, the boy starts his basketball career at the height of COVID and he and his family get stuck in a different country for six months which keeps him from being able to train and play. Witnessing the triumph over these adversities is motivating.

This student made documentary follows the one year journey of a young aspiring basketball star. From missing layups to winning a silver medal on his first team, this is year one of a boy's basketball journey.

Unlike the numerous documentaries that tell the story of sports' prodigies and how they made it to the top, this film offers a more realistic perspective that allows viewers to see a raw and transparent look into the highs and lows of reaching for success. This honest approach makes this documentary relatable and inspiring simultaneously. I enjoyed the storyline and how it develops. I appreciate how the story unfolds. It is organized chronologically and makes you feel as if you are there with Malcolm throughout his one year journey. Malcolm is the writer, director and star of this film and he is as charming a kid as they come - personable and considerate. Good use is made of video clips, showing him in younger days, to clips showing more advanced moves that demonstrate his athletic growth. The combination of older footage, blog-style camera work, voice-over, and professional shots all add up to a believable story. As a documentary, the character development is that of Malcolm's as we watch his athletic progression over the years.

The film's message is to keep preserving and never give up!

My Basketball Journey - Year 1 gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. This is a perfect film for KIDS FIRST! It is motivational, especially someone who has big dreams or fears failure. It is both educational and inspiring. Plus, Malcolm is African American. By Hanadie K. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!

KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: TV