Ages 8-12 Titles from KIDS FIRST!

The storyline follows five families who all run Christmas tree stands in New York City. They all have unique backstories and unique ways of running their stands. This film lets the viewer know there is more to running a stand than just getting some trees and standing out in the cold until people buy your trees.

The film's message is to not dwell on the past and that things may look better than they are. This film shows love in its deepest form. Please note there is mention of drug use and some profanity.

I give Merchants of Joy 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It will be released on VOD on December 1, 2025.

This season continues the long-running animated Jurassic Park saga. After the chaos of last season's finale, the heroes are exhausted and looking for a break. But, as always, that doesn't last. Darius (Paul-Mik�l Williams) is dealing with a lot after the return of Brooklyn (Kiersten Kelly) and the overwhelming odds that they will lose this fight against Biosyn. Kenji (Ryan Potter) tries to keep the group's spirits up, while Sammy (Raini Rodriguez) and Yaz (Kausar Mohammed) bring their own humor and heart to the team.

While Jurassic World: Chaos Theory often shines, it sometimes feels like it stretches the story a little too far. For example, the inclusion of weaponized, assassin dinosaurs feels unnecessary. Dinosaurs are already scary enough when they hunt anything in front of them! The acting is funny and lively, though a few one-liners feel over-the-top and break the suspense, like in episode four, when the team reaches what they think is the data center and everyone piles on with a joke. Still, the story is strong, packed with humor, great animation, and filled with exciting moments. The animation especially stands out, with awesome rendering, realistic water and light effects, and incredible dinosaur designs. The music plays a big part in the series' tension and energy. It builds suspense and makes the chase scenes even more thrilling. The bond between the characters is one of the best parts, and watching it grow over eight seasons brings a new generation into the Jurassic Park universe.

The main message of Jurassic World: Chaos Theory is that, even in the toughest times, having friends by your side on the journey makes everything better. The show includes themes of friendship, love, and heartbreak. While mostly tame, parents should note that the show does include animated violence and intense moments, like when the team is attacked by a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

I give Jurassic World: Chaos Theory 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. The final season debuts in full on Netflix on November 20, 2025.

By Jackson N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The latest season of Jurassic World: Chaos Theory is possibly the greatest season of an animated show I've seen. As complicated character dynamics are mixed in with action-packed adventures, its excellence is undeniable.

Season 4 follows the Nublar Six as they adventure into Biosyn to stop the illegal dinosaur trading they have been carrying out. Secrets come to light that make the team become wary of each other. We journey with the Nublar Six to see if they'll be able to put their differences aside and stop Biosyn once and for all.

I was hooked from the first episode, binge-watched the entire season, and couldn't stop thinking about the plot days after I had finished it. The writers really put their hearts and souls into this season. Clearly, they know that children can understand more complex stories, and it gave them the freedom to create Chaos Theory. If you've been watching the show since Season 1, you will probably be surprised by what is about to go down. I've become attached to the Nublar Six to the point where, for a moment, it felt like they were my friends. One of this season's strengths is the characters' relationships. They become happier once they settle their disputes. They work better together when they are not cautious of each other. For all the fans of action out there, don't worry, Chaos Theory has a perfect amount of content for you as well. The mission is dangerous and the odds are against the team. This season is great at balancing action with emotions. I didn't feel like I was being bombarded with one chase after another, nor did I feel like I was watching a soap opera. An interesting detail about the design of the Nublar Six: I enjoyed spotting all the little changes in their appearances as time has passed. The animated characters look more like real people.

This season's message is that it's better to not keep secrets from your friends if you want to trust each other. Keep in mind there are mentions of injury and possible death, as well as animal testing and loud noises.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Season 4 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Season 4 premiers globally on Netflix on November 20, 2025.

This is a filmed version of a stage production so the camera angles are adjusted so they don't show too much of the stage. I like how the sets are quickly changed with minimal distraction. I also really like how costumes are used to help tell each character's story. For example, Charley, the character who remains true to himself the entire time has the same costume for every scene, except one. Frank switches from a t-shirt when he is younger to a long sleeved shirt when he is older, but it is the same color and style. I really enjoyed each of the songs because they help the story move along and are very catchy. This is a movie I will want to watch again because the story is so beautiful. I especially love how it shows how complex and fragile friendships can be.

This film has several powerful messages about the importance of being a good friend, being true to oneself, and how our choices affect our future. Be aware that it does contain some references to drinking, smoking, drugs, and mild profanity.

I give Merrily We Roll Along 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in select theaters starting December 5, 2025.

By Julie O, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I love the movie Merrily We Roll Along. It is packed with genuinely amazing scenes that left me wanting more. The movie has a huge theme of being a musical which kind of reminds me of Hamilton - a musical of immense importance and emotion.

The story begins with a musical ballad. Next we see the characters at a party and learn that they are working on a movie. It is unveiled that the producer, Frank, is cheating on his wife with the star of his movie. The film spans three decades, and explores the turbulent relationship between Frank Shepherd (Jonathan Groff), a talented composer who abandons his friends and songwriting career to become a Hollywood producer. Like the play on which it is based, the show's story moves in reverse chronology.

The most striking thing about this filmed adaptation of the Broadway play is the acting. We really see that the actors have a great devotion to their roles. Daniel Radcliffe shows how his character is really interested in his character because he shows real humility and melancholy while talking to Mary about how he hasn't seen Frank and he is just about to give up. Lindsay Mendez's portrayal of Mary is immaculate. She gives believable performances and has a good singing voice. However, the most impressive commitment to his role is Jonathan Groff's portrayal of Frank. He portrays a workaholic man who invests his time into being a producer and doesn't spend any time with his friends.

The film's message is about friendship and forgiveness. Throughout the film Frank is constantly leaving his friends but they keep forgiving him. Be aware that there are some scenes of alcohol consumption and use of profanity.

I give Merrily We Roll Along 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters worldwide on December 5, 2025.

This movie is adapted from the third installment of Jeff Kinney's worldwide bestselling book series. It follows Greg Heffley (Aaron Harris) as he continually manages to spin disasters out of thin air. Greg's dad, Frank (Chris Diamantopoulos), has had enough of Greg's nonsense and decides that only military school will straighten his son out. Greg creates a plan to prove that he is able to turn himself around on his own. This creates an adventure that is full of twists and turns as well as multiple unfortunate events. It also provides relatable content for anyone who is trying to figure out how to be seen as an adult. Unfortunately, for Greg, this includes everything from rattling keys to mowing snow.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw had animation that made it seem like a graphic novel that had come to life. It would go from 2D images from the book and shift into 3D movie images. Each transition included a literal page turn that was seamless and engaging. It felt like you were part of the book. The humor from the books stayed on-point in the movie. The scene where Greg was trying to figure out how to use a door key was hilarious. The pressure built by Greg's father could be felt as Greg fumbled and failed to successfully open the door. It seemed like his father's head might explode at any moment. Greg's Beef Cake Snow Removal Service also was comedic. Every kid tries to take a short cut at some time in their life, but Greg's shortcut was surprising and catastrophic. It was definitely a wide-eyed, oh my-moment. The movie is full of these types of situations. It truly targets fun for younger audiences.

The show's message is that growing up is tough. Everyone struggles with becoming an adult, and it is okay to stumble as you figure it out. This show has no violence or inappropriate language.

I give Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. It is available for streaming on Disney+ beginning December 5, 2025.

By Kinsley H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is a lighthearted and fun movie that is perfect for fans of the original series.

The storyline follows Greg (Aaron D. Harris), who narrowly escapes the Spag Union Reform School by agreeing to become a wood-chipper! He tries to earn all his badges as quickly as possible. This results in distraught kindergarteners, a detention, and complete loss of trust with his dad (Chris Diamantopoulos). It seems like nothing Greg does is good enough for him. We follow Greg as tries to impress his dad and hopes not to be sent to Spag Union.

When I watched this film, I loved seeing the animation so similar to the book's style, which fans of the book have grown to love. Plus, the film stays mostly true to the book thanks to the screenwriter, character designer and producer all being Jeff Kinney, the author of the original books. My favorite part of this film is how the dynamic in Greg's family is explored. The mom (Erica Cerra) is always very supportive of Greg and she consistently defends him to his dad. However, the sibling relationship between Rodrick (Hunter Dillon), Manny (Gracen Newton) and Greg is pretty underplayed. Greg is a very complex and interesting character. Although he has many strengths, he has many flaws which are interesting to see. Greg lies to his family many times throughout his film and uses his friends for personal gain. The movie plays this as a funny, lighthearted trait, but in truth, it's quite a concerning trait. Not only does Greg lie, he also shows no apparent remorse for most of his actions. This makes him a very complex and interesting character to feature in a movie and what makes Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw so engaging.

The main theme of this film is the importance of integrity. Greg often puts his own needs before anything or everyone else's and this comes at a cost. He lies about being student of the month and about getting suspended. Greg learns that this cannot substitute hard work and that it is best to be honest.

I give Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. It is available on Disney+ beginning December 5, 2025.

The story takes place in many different places, including South Africa, and France, and follows a group of three con artists who team up with the renowned horsemen and plan to steal the famous Heart Diamond from cruel, selfish Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike). The magicians find a map to guide them to a French chateau in France to get what they need, but half of their party gets caught by the police. In the end, Veronika tries to kill the horsemen and ends up in prison, where we learn that Charlie is her half-brother and the true heir of the Vanderberg fortune.

The story really demonstrates how the world doesn't exist in only black and white, but grey as well -- so one can do the wrong thing, for the right reasons. My favorite character is Veronika Vanderberg because of her villainess's tendencies and hilariously immoral behavior. The acting is commendable, and very well executed. Charlie, June, and Bosco are played by Justice Smith, Ariana Greenblatt, and Dominic Sessa who are all charismatic new characters. Of course the renowned horsemen, J. Daniel Atlas, Meritt McKinney, Jack Wilder, Henley Reeves, and eventually Leslie are played by Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, and Myah Banton and it's fun to see the band back together again. The film is well made, so much so that I felt as if I was a part of the film. My favorite part is when Atlas and Bosco fight over who is the better magician, and it's amazing to see all the magic happening while they bicker. My one complaint is that it might send the wrong message to people - that it's completely fine to steal things and commit major crimes, which is not okay.

The film's message is about truly caring for people and to not be fooled by the appearance of things on the outside, but rather to dive in headfirst to see what's really going on. Be forewarned that there are some references to adult concepts, language, and violence.

I give Now You See Me: Now You Don't 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It will be released in theaters on November 14, 2025.

The story picks up where Zootopia left off with Fox/Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) and Carrots/Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) being teamed up for their first assignment. But this is no ordinary assignment and, as usual, this team cannot stay away from getting involved in a real crime case. The two take on various battles to ultimately help Gary De' Snake (Ke Huy Quan) recover the loss of reptiles from Zootopia. Bellwether (Jenny Slate) corruptly tries to keep Zootopia a land of predator vs prey, but Nick and Judy bamboozle her in a way that is unexpected to save Zootopia. A suspenseful plot twist centering around antagonist Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samberg) and his family brings the story full circle as a reminder that villains never win.

Disney has outdone itself with the animation as it even surpasses the animation of Zootopia. The vibrant colors and attention to detail absolutely nail all the weather scenes. Plus, the funny scenes are endless. My favorite ones involve a recording carrot pen that is used several times for amusing blackmail tactics between Nick and Judy. Mr. Big (Maurice LaMarche) returns as one of my most liked characters because of his integrity in helping Nick and Judy by giving them tips along the way. LaMarche's voice fits Mr. Big's character perfectly. Shakira brings the vocals again for another stunning performance as Gazelle. It fascinates me how many big-name celebrities are in this film with minor roles. The character name puns are hilarious. For example: Bartender Slick Di'Giguani is played by Nick DiGiovanni, Zeke AKA That Dik-Dik Stuck in that Tuba is played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Michael J. The Fox by Michael J. Fox, and Ed Shearin is played by none other than Ed Sheeran, to name a few.

This film's message is about how when everyone works together, despite their differences, everyone wins. The importance of friendship and how to maintain relationships are also common themes throughout the film. Note that there are some violent scenes that may not be suitable for younger audiences.

Zootopia 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. The film releases to theaters on November 26, 2025.

By Ryker N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

I love the movie Zootopia 2 because of its action-packed intensity, emotional layers, and how it talks about making difficult decisions.

The story takes place in the famous Zootopia, and follows Judy and Nick (Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman) as they work to expose the cunning Lynxleys and save an innocent snake (Ke Huy Quan) from being captured. They infiltrate a gala, and Judy meets a kind Lynxley named Pawbert (Andy Samberg), but they see that the snake has stolen the journal celebrating weather walls, supposedly invented by the Lynxleys, and become the police's number one target. In the end, Nick goes to jail, but escapes, and Pawbert betrays them, trying to kill Judy and Nick, but they find the original patent for the weather walls, and snakes are welcomed back into Zootopia.

The story really demonstrates how one must look beyond what is obvious, and find what is hidden, even if it means sacrificing how you thought the world was. My favorite character is Nick Wilde, because of his obvious care for Judy, and his rational thought patterns. The voice talent is spot on. There are several main characters that weren't in the first, as well as the return of many characters we have come to love, such as Chief Bogo, Gazelle, Dawn Bellweather, and Clawhouser (Idris Elba, Shakira, Jennifer Slate, Nate Torrence). The new characters are also very intriguing-Gary, Nibbles, Pawbert Lynxley, and Milton Lynxley (Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, and David Strathairn). My favorite part is when Judy and Nick reveal a lot of emotional trauma between themselves in a very sweet way.

The film's message is about learning to look beyond what is obvious to find what is hidden, physically, mentally and emotionally. Be forewarned that there are some extremely violent scenes, betrayal, and fear.

Zootopia 2 gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It will be released in theaters on November 26, 2025.

By Elsy S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I was thrilled to dive back into the magical creature world of Zootopia 2, this time exploring the Marsh Market, a vibrant realm dedicated to water animals. I enjoyed seeing Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) step away from his criminal past and absolutely love the new mayor in town. The plot is filled with perfectly balanced twists, a few jump scares, and just the right amount of justice.

This sequel to the beloved Disney animated film picks up only a week after the first movie ends. Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde are navigating their new partnership and trying to prove they're more than a one-hit duo. Once again, they uncover a long-buried secret within Zootopia, and the discovery sends them into brand-new territories as they work to make their city better for all creatures.

I love seeing familiar faces like Flash (Raymond S. Persi) and meeting new characters such as the helpful Nibbles Maplestick (Fortune Feimster), Gary De'Snake (Ke Huy Quan), who drives much of the plot, and the hilarious and heroic Mayor Winddancer (Patrick Warburton). One of my favorite moments is when Judy and Nick discover the Reptile Ravine. The homes feel truly reptilian, with scale-like textures and long, curved shapes. It feels like a lost world we didn't get to see in the first movie--because it was buried under the snow! The villainous Lynxly family does not disappoint, and I was excited to see Dawn Bellwether (Jenny Slate), who remains delightfully evil and even escapes from prison... which definitely feels like a hint at Zootopia 3! The film's message centers around the need to prove you belong. Whether it's Judy and Nick proving their partnership, or Gary De'Snake showing that snakes aren't the bad guys, the message of accepting others for who they are shines throughout the film.

Zootopia 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. It releases in theaters November 26, 2025.

The storyline picks up where Wicked left off, following Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as they navigate the ostracism Elphaba and the animals of Oz are faced with. Elphaba's dawning challenges are concurrent with her sister's (Marissa Bode) newfound political popularity, Glinda's rise to fame and the renovation of Oz, including the construction of the classic yellow brick road. Glinda and Elphaba must weather great tribulations, both personal and shared, to preserve their bond.

Wicked: For Good makes a powerful and timeless statement about society. The descent of Oz as its citizens rush to pin the blame on one another is representative of the fatal flaw-desire, whether for wealth or glory, control or love-that makes humans so vulnerable to manipulation. Glinda and Elphaba symbolize two different kinds of oppression-one forced into compliance and the other silenced, exiled entirely for fear of Oz's delicate balance breaking. The near demise of their friendship is a call for unity, strengthened in its intensity by the cinematic features and the actors' work. Grande and Erivo both undergo a truly astounding metamorphosis from the first installment of Wicked; they allow us to witness moments of agony, desperation and aching vulnerability that transcend their already-moving previous performances. The inclusion of a young Glinda (Scarlett Spears) draws further compassion. The vocal pieces, featuring both new tunes and familiar favorites, left me awestruck. Finally, the set design and special effects are breathtaking-Jon M. Chu has fashioned a whole ozmopolitan world for Glinda and Elphaba's story to unfold in.

Wicked: For Good is a perfectly-timed reminder that no one person is responsible for the downfall of society; everyone has to contribute for all citizens to receive the support they need. Every voice must be heard; it is only when power is used wisely that acceptance can thrive and progress is made. It also highlights the resilience that true friendship takes to maintain.

I give Wicked: For Good 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. The film releases to theaters on November 21, 2025.

By Ruhi K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

Everyone "rejoicify!" The second half of Wicked is here! Wicked: For Good is the perfect ending to Elphaba and Glinda's story with its incredible display of friendship, wickedly good singing, and breathtaking visuals, while also exploring deeper themes.

Following the same plot as the musical of the same name, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now a fugitive, has become known as the "Wicked Witch of the West," while Glinda (Ariana Grande) takes on the role of "Glinda the Good," but the lines between good and wicked are more blurred than ever. We see both grappling with this all while Oz is growing increasingly divided. Can Elphaba expose the Wizard's lies and clear her name, or will she go down in history as the wickedest witch in Oz?

I'll preface this by saying that I liked part one of Wicked a bit better, yet I still enjoyed this movie quite a lot. The pacing feels a little off in the beginning, but it all comes together beautifully by the end and gives a powerful closing to the story. Like the first movie, people of all ages will enjoy Wicked: For Good. It keeps younger audiences engaged with its vivid, magical settings of Oz, and it moves older audiences through its extremely authentic portrayal of friendship and exploration of complex messages. Everyone will leave the theater humming the catchy music, of course. This movie has one of the strongest displays of acting I've seen in a long time. Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, and Ethan Slater as Boq have strong performances and it's interesting to see what motivates them and how much they've changed throughout the franchise. But the most compelling performances that really sticks out to me are from the two leading ladies. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have formed a close friendship in real life, and this makes their portrayal of frenemies even more powerful. Watching them reminded me of being with my own friends, so it was a great reminder to be thankful for close friends as we enter Thanksgiving break. Both actors stand out individually in their solos, and their voices blend beautifully in their duets, which gave me goosebumps more than a few times. There are even two new songs, "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble," though my favorite performances were "Wonderful" and "For Good."

Wicked: For Good explores many deep themes like the power of close friendship, doing what's right even when it's hard, and how propaganda can shape reality, allowing those in control to decide who the good and evil are. Parents should be advised that there are a few intense scenes as well as a bit of romance.

I give Wicked: For Good 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Fans of the musical and the first film will love this movie, and so will non-fans. It comes out in theaters on November 21, 2025.

By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

I loved Wicked: For Good! It makes an epic and heartwarming conclusion to the two-part cinematic event that swept the world last year. Directed by Jon M. Chu, this final chapter brings even more emotion, spectacle, and character depth to the untold story of the witches of Oz. This film is powerful, inspiring, and visually breathtaking from beginning to end.

The story picks up with Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) living completely separate lives after choices that divided them. Elphaba, now seen as the Wicked Witch of the West, hides in the forest while fighting for the rights of Oz's Animals. Glinda has become the glittering face of "goodness" in Emerald City, where she enjoys popularity but also feels the growing weight of her responsibilities--and her regrets. While Glinda prepares for a massive royal wedding to Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), she is haunted by the loss of her friendship with Elphaba. When she tries to reunite Elphaba with The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), the attempt only pushes them further apart, setting off consequences that affect everyone around them, including Boq (Ethan Slater) and Nessarose (Marissa Bode). Everything intensifies when a girl from Kansas arrives and changes the fate of Oz forever.

The performances in this film are outstanding. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande give emotional, deeply committed portrayals of their characters, and their chemistry makes the story's themes of friendship, honesty, and forgiveness feel totally real. Their voices are stunning, especially in the iconic songs that Wicked fans already love. The supporting cast--Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater, and many others--add humor, heart, and dramatic tension. The visual design is spectacular. From the shimmering Emerald City to the darker edges of the Ozian forest, every scene feels magical and larger-than-life. The music by Stephen Schwartz and John Powell elevates the entire movie, blending classic melodies with new emotional layers. My favorite part is how this film focuses on the bond between Elphaba and Glinda. Their relationship becomes the emotional center of the story, and watching them confront their fears, mistakes, and love for one another is both inspiring and heartbreaking.

The film delivers a powerful message about understanding, empathy, and how one friendship can change a whole world--for good.I give Wicked: For Good 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, as well as adults. Wicked: For Good opens in theaters November 21, 2025.

The storyline follows a young girl, Chloe (Jeanelle St. Fleur), who gets in trouble at school for spending too much time on her phone and putting her phone before doing her class assignment. Her teacher notifies Chloe's mom (Joiel Woods) who resonates with the issue and calls her best friend for some advice and inspiration. They make a plan for Chloe to accompany daughter, Maya (Kennedy Swartz), to a career exhibit at the local museum where the two of them have an opportunity to look at careers in a clever interactive way.

The film addresses a serious issue with youth today - obsession with their phones and parents not knowing what to do about it. I love seeing the moms talk with each other and offering solutions to the problem. Taking the girls to the museum for the career exhibit is a brilliant solution as it gets the girls to think about something other than their phones. The actors are well cast. Both Janelle St. Fleur and Kennedy Swartz are adorable; they speak well, play their parts well and I love their outfits. The moms also are well cast and perform their roles very believably. I think many moms will resonate with them. At the museum, I like seeing the different adult professionals interact with the girls and discuss their careers and how they got there. They talk with an actor, a singer, a director, a dancer, a journalist, a chef, a fashion designer, the latter of which Chloe resonates with most. She announces afterwards that she's going to become a fashion designer.

The production is pretty good; the video is clear, as is the audio and the editing is great. However, at times the camera work is very shaky, such as when Chloe and Maya are sitting on the bed together and then again at the museum. The lighting also falls short at times and the black and white videos have vertical black lines moving across the screen and some subtitles are misspelled. I love the exit music that plays under the credits and the outtakes afterwards are very cute.

The film's message is to spend less time on your phone and think about your future career and what you might be doing now, even as a child, to prepare yourself for what is to come.

I give Imagine Becoming 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It can be found now on YouTube.

Lucie (Lucie Leontiadis) is a 9-year-old headed to Bectoile for a vacation with her mother, Caroline (Mariana Le Guennec), and her colleague, Pierrot (Yannick Jaulin), who are archaeologists. Caroline grew up in Bectoile, so there is a lot of family history there, which Lucie wants to uncover. Caroline's childhood home burned down and her family has secrets which Lucie pursues with help of the songbirds and her new friend Yann (Anton Souverbie-Giorgis).

The film begins with Lucie hearing about her mom's childhood from her mom. When Lucie and Yann venture into the woods, they encounter the "Wizard" who lives there. When she hands him a photo of her mother 's family when she was a child, Lucie asks the Wizard if the man in the photo is him. He is unsure, but Lucie believes it is one of the family secrets. This film is animated and stands out due to its unique animation style. In the beginning Lucie dreams about flying with the birds at night and the animals appear layered on top of each other. Lucie has a strong passion for adventure. When she notices something, she doesn't ignore it; instead, she investigates it. Pierrot, Caroline's colleague, is like a cool uncle. When he comes over to their place and sees Lucie practicing playing the guitar he teaches her to play a song. Yann comes in later when he helps Pierrot fix the moped. Lucie's mother, Caroline is depicted as a cool mom; when she rides with Lucie on the moped they sing together.

All of the voice actors are terrific. We see a burst of emotions when Caroline sees her father for the first time in many years. When he realizes that she is his daughter emotion oozes from him. There is not a lot of music in the film but one song plays in the background called "La Mauvaise R�putation." The beauty of the song is amazing, especially at the end of the film when everyone sings together.

I commend the director, Antoine Lanciaux, for his amazing work. His experience as an animator definitely shows in the artistry of this film. My favorite character is the protagonist, Lucie. She is annoying at times and sad when her mom reveals that she never saw her father again after the mill burned down. After learning that, she devotes her time to putting all the clues together. I love when she says she is happy to finally have a grandfather at the end.

The story follows a four-year-old girl (Aruvi Eleanor) and her dad (Shinod I A) in India as they walk through a market, with their perspectives constantly changing. The child is enchanted by all the small things that she finds amazing - sweets, trinkets, people, colors and sounds. When her dad is distracted by a phone call, she innocently wanders off with a stranger, and her dad panics, trying to find her. The market suddenly becomes a complete explosion of chaos to him having to go find her. The film is from India with dialogue in Malayalam and subtitled in English.

The camera work and audio recording are both top notch. The story is well written and is certainly very relatable. It's easy to understand what's happening, even when the perspective changes, thanks to the excellent camera work. For example, when the child splits up with her dad, the camera angle and the way the colors change helps make it easy to follow. The camera work is incredible. The closeups on the girl's face are so revealing of her joy at experiencing the colorful impact of the market. I love how when the daughter looks at things, the camera looks at them from her point of view. When it takes the perspective of the dad, it takes a longer point of view. Aruvi Eleanor perfectly encapsulates what it's like to have a "child-like wonder of a four-year-old." Her acting is incredible, especially considering she's so young. Everything she does has so much emotion and helps differentiate her perspective from her dad's. Shinod I A, who plays her dad, gives an incredible performance, one that is much more serious, more anxious and quite realistic. The costumes fit perfectly with the area in India where the film takes place. This film takes place in current day India, in a market filled with busy people. The Indian music pushes the Dad's frenetic search and helps heighten our awareness. I think we can all relate to the anxiety he must have felt that day and the relief he experiences when he finally locates her.

My favorite part is when the scene first switches from the child to the parent's perspective. This is not only a big tone shift, but it made me realize what a smart idea it is. This also happens when the girl first wanders off and moves to a more serious plot point.

The film's message is that children see everything in a much more positive light, and everything feels more brilliant. Be aware that it shows a child wandering off from their parent in a busy market and going off with a stranger.

This documentary, made by a high school student, talks about a program helping neurodivergent individuals. Debra Orenstein and Dr. Matthew Strobel introduce us to the world they work in and how their program operates. They remind us how important it is to encourage their clients to try and how it is for others to show awareness and empathy.

The film begins with Debra Orenstein and Dr. Matthew discussing the program at Plainsboro Recreation Center for the facility for the Expressive Arts for neurodivergent individuals and the variety of students who participate, from those who are autistic, or ADHD or OCD, or are non-verbal - and the challenges involved. This goes way beyond watching talking heads. We see clips of what goes on in the program. We meet three students, Joe, Felipe and Zaheen, and learn how the program has helped them grow as a person. We also meet Zaheen's sister who tells us It's encouraging seeing how people benefit from participating in this program. One important quote that stayed with me is, "I don't think one has to be a very trained person to have that sense of empathy and awareness." The camera work includes some wonderful close ups of the activities that are part of the program. I love the scene where everyone is moving because everyone seems so happy. The film's Director and Producer, Yashvi Bharariya's work really stands out because she addresses a topic that isn't easily talked about and portrays it in a way that is engaging for the audience. My favorite part is the quote that I shared above because it really encouraged me to help in any way and reminded me that, as long as we really try, we can help make our community a stronger community. This film invites us to slow down, pay attention, and see one another, one interaction at a time.

The film's message is that we can all share empathy with each other and that, with empathy comes awareness. That awareness reminds us that we can do anything as long as we try.

Writer, director, producer and narrator, Neta Rhyne is a member of the Cherokee Nation and a direct descendent of the 'Trail Of Tears' who holds a special bond with horses. This story features Buddy Two Socks, a 34 year old horse and Jasper, his pasture-mate at a gathering on the Santa Fe Plaza, where children and families adore them both.

The documentary is pretty straightforward, well produced with great camera work, audio recording and editing. The narration tells us the story behind these horses and of Neta's love for and appreciation of them. Neta is the founder of Thundering Hooves 501-c-3 non-profit organization which brings awareness to the many hardships horses face today, and the important role they play in protecting the environment. Her passion resonates in this film. If you are a horse lover, this will truly make an impact on you and, even if you are not, will touch your heart.

The film's message is about the role of horses in our lives and the life of the planet.

I give Buddy Two Socks 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults.

The film follows Chicken and his person, Mr. Birke, as Chicken overeats at the school lunchroom and has to go to the vet to find out what's wrong.

All of the characters are puppets, and quite cute ones at that, especially the main characters, Chicken and Mr. Birke. The backgrounds - Mr. Birke's home, the school lunchroom, and the vet's office - perfectly suit the story and are well illustrated. The voice actors, Mia McGlinn and Birke Raymond Duncan (who is also the director) give great performances. The topic, of overeating, is one that resonates well for young kids who sometimes get carried away until their tummy hurts.

The film's message about not overeating is age appropriate and suitable.

The storyline follows a 8th grade boy, Charlie, who befriends a cinema employee that ultimately give him some advice that helps him move beyond a stale relationship with his friends who have drifted away.

Lovely production, with great video, audio and editing. The casting is perfect, especially for Charlie and Kyle, who deliver believable performances. What I really love about this short film is its therapeutic aspect, when Kyle spends time with Charlie and coaches him on how to move beyond his so-called friends.

The film's message is about caring enough about other people to listen to them, really listen and give them a gentle nudge to move beyond their stalemate. Note, there is a scene at the end when Kyle flips off his co-worker. Also note that the subtitles are not well done; there are misspelled words and odd sentence breaks.

The film's storyline is about their experiences as a young person, their relationships with their parents and their concern about life's unfairness in that some children go without access to clean water or food or worse.

I like that this is not a sugar-coated view of childhood, but includes references to difficult things in the world that affect children and questions why those happen. As an adult I certainly relate to that similarly. This is well produced, with the except that the audio in some scenes has a very noticeable echo, which is distracting. It doesn't make it unwatchable but it should be pointed out. Other than that, the video, audio and editing are all very good. The background music is suitable and not particularly noticeable. The film is from the Czech Republic so the language is Czech and it has English subtitles, which limited its suitability by younger viewers. I think it makes a great addition to the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival as it gives insight into another culture.

The film's message is about observing the world through the eyes of a child.

This short film is an episode from a new live action TV series called "Run the Marbles." In this, two on-camera hosts, one in a wheelchair, explore different ways to make marbles move.

What a great way to explore various principles of physics! This is as entertaining as it is educating. Well made with great camera work, audio recording and editing. I can't wait to share this with my grandson.

The film's message is about how STEM principles apply to everyday tasks - well, if you consider running marbles every day. Perhaps I should say, things you can relate to.

The story follows Hawkeye (Chris Cox), who finds himself in a strange new situation after the Avengers mysteriously vanish. With his teammates gone, Hawkeye ends up leading a group of leftover heroes on a mission to stop a social media-obsessed villain who turns cats into a full-blown crisis. As if fighting evil wasn't hard enough, now he has to deal with literal cat chaos! Along the way, he learns what it really means to be part of a team--even when things get weird--but can he put a stop to this CAT-tastrophe?

The animation in LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails looks great and feels sharper and more colorful than ever. The LEGO characters move smoothly, and their expressions are full of energy, which makes every joke land perfectly. The backgrounds, like Doctor Strange's magical world and the city streets packed with cats, are filled with fun details that made me want to pause and look closer. The voice acting is also top-notch, with Chris Cox giving Hawkeye just the right mix of confidence and sarcasm. What really stands out, though, is the music-- something that's not common in many LEGO series. The custom soundtrack adds a lot to the action scenes and makes everything feel more epic. This installment also has a ton of surprises for Marvel fans. Seeing Spider-Man, the Thing, and Wolverine all pop up in LEGO form is really exciting. One of the funniest moments happens when Sabretooth gets thrown through a wall while a group of heroes plays Go Fish in the background--it's random and ridiculous in the best way. The humor works for both kids and adults, balancing silly puns with clever jokes about the Marvel universe. This is absolutely the best series to introduce kids to Marvel fandom.

The show's message is that teamwork is the key to success. It also shows how friendship and trust help people overcome even the strangest situations. Parents should know there's some mild cartoon fighting, but it's all in good fun and totally age-appropriate.

I give LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. You can stream the show in full on Disney+ beginning November 14, 2025.

By Jackson N., age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails is a good film for younger kids. Though it is quite different from the original Marvel Movies as well as other LEGO movies, it is a worthwhile watch.

The storyline follows Hawkeye and The Avengers facing their wildest threat yet - social media. To save the world, The Avengers have to recruit a new team to fight their new rival - cats! Specifically, these magic cats are controlled by the evil influencer, Meryet (Alia Shawkat), who is also in control of The Avengers. She devises an evil plan of world domination all for likes and views on her channel.

From a huge fight scene, recorded by an aspiring cat influencer, Meryet, the Avengers save the day, but not without the help of Hawkeye (Troy Baker). It seems that fighting comes easy to him, but nothing could prepare him for his biggest rival to be cats. Let's talk about the humor in this film because a big part of Marvel Movies is the humor. Though this film definitely has some good lines, it is a lot more toned down than The Avengers. I like the irony that Hawkeye hates cats while having to work with a team of cat superheroes in episode 2. The film does keep the lightheartedness of the jokes that are so well loved in the original Marvel films, but a lot of the humor is geared for a younger audience. Viewers, like me, who are attached to the original Avengers' movies, might have a hard time adjusting to different voice actors and aged-down humor. The animation of action scenes is beautiful in the LEGO style, but I missed Marvel's well-delivered jokes. I was expecting something similar to LEGO Batman but got an extremely watered-down version of that. Despite that, the characters are fun, and it is interesting to see different interpretations of their voices. As a long time Marvel fan, I enjoyed seeing new characters like Meryet and Tigra (Cat Taber). These characters have the potential for a bigger presence in future movies and TV shows.

The film's message is about how being famous or popular does not define how good of a person you are. Hawkeye gains fame and then loses it to all the cats. He feels irrelevant and questions why he even tries when no one likes him. But he remembers why he is an Avenger and that he does good things regardless of his fame. We are also reminded how a lust for fame can corrupt someone. Meryet starts out as an innocent aspiring influencer, but becomes power hungry and doesn't stop until she gets what she wants. This is a very important and powerful theme for a kids' movie.

I give LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It is available on Disney+ starting November 14, 2025.

By Zoey F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

I absolutely love Lego Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails. It is comedic, has a great storyline and amazing voice acting. It teaches an important lesson as well.

This series follows Hawkeye (Chris Cox) who has recently experienced a surge in fame and little does he know that fame will soon disappear. Suddenly nobody cares about superheroes; instead everyone is obsessed with cat videos. Hawkeye despises cats and is maybe a little jealous of them. He is able to see that something fishy is happening and it turns out that all the cats are being controlled by an evil influencer. Hawkeye must put together a team of cat themed superheroes to save the world.

This series is hilarious -it had me laughing throughout the episodes. Not only does it have humorous scenes, but the entire storyline itself is ridiculous. It had me cracking up and completely invested in it. I am a huge Marvel fan, and I love how LEGO adds a comedic twist to this series. It is so fun seeing the Avengers get defeated by cats - that had me laughing up a storm. I find it amusing how Hawkeye puts together a team of cat themed superheroes to defeat an army of evil cats. Even if you look past the comedy, it still has a great plot. I was completely enthralled by the action and the plot. The voice acting is fantastic. Chris Cox perfectly captures the pitch and tone of Hawkeyes' voice throughout the series. There is a fine line between doing something for fame and doing it because it is the right thing to do, and it is easy to mistake one for the other. This show reminds us to watch that line and choose to do things for the right reasons. My favorite part is the ending when Santa comes in and beats up a bunch of bad guys.

The film's message is that fame doesn't define you, but your actions do. Note that there is some violence but nothing bloody or gory.

I give Lego Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18 plus adults. You can find it on Disney Plus beginning November 14, 2025.

This short film explores various aspects of being human such as how childhood experiences affect one as an adult why we can't always get what we think we need and more.

This is well made, from the visuals to the audio, the editing and the text on screen. It is truly thought provoking about many different subjects and completely relatable to young people who are often addressing many of these same things. The pace is fast, but not inhumanely so. I believe that this makes an excellent addition to the KIDS FIRST! Film festival.

The film's message is to take time to think about things that happen in your life and understand that change is constant. Even when you think things are going the wrong say, hang in there because it will most likely turn around before you know it.

This film documents the children's community Jhamtse Ghatsal (The Garden of Love and Compassion), located in the remote foothills of the Indian Himalayas. Former Buddhist monk Lobsang Phuntsok attempts to heal his own childhood trauma of abandonment by adopting and raising children who are unwanted by their families, just as he was. This film expands on the previous award-winning film, Tashi and the Monk, which followed a four-year-old girl struggling to integrate into the community. Twelve years later, Tashi, now 16, faces the challenge of becoming a big sister to two four-year-olds who join the community, both called Karma, each with their own complicated history. Will Lobsang's focus on love and compassion allow these girls to rise above this challenge?

This feature length documentary is a big undertaking! It explores this community in depth and has many lessons for us to learn from. People who are dealing with various trials and tribulations can easily relate to this film, but I believe that its true value is how many parents will resonate with this story which shows how modeling positive behavior shapes a child's life.

This documentary seamlessly interweaves the experiences of Jhamtse Ghatsal newcomers from 2013 and 2024. The well-executed cinematography excels with marvelous visuals, conveying a distinct emotion or idea to the audience --the wide landscape shots of the Himalayas reinforces the isolation and grandeur of living there; the sweeping dark and stormy skies and thick forests carry suspense and mystery. The closeups of the children reveal their thoughts and experiences; their facial expressions don't hold anything back.

I deeply appreciate how Jhamtse Ghatsal is depicted in tumultuous times and not just in times of ease. After having to turn away children due to a lack of resources, or contending with a mob from a nearby village angered that one of their own was turned away, we see the community remaining intact and wholesome in the face of these struggles, which is commendable and awe-inspiring. My favorite part of the film is when a young member of Jhamtse Ghatsal is preparing to leave to go to college and states that the kindness Jhamtse Ghatsal stands for follows one wherever they go; it is not limited to being in the physical location of the community; it stays in your heart. This epiphany works to inspire not just this young person, but also the audience, and reminds us to keep advocating for kindness wherever the world takes us.

The film's message is that love and compassion can overcome hatred and trauma. Note that there are references to suicide, alcoholism, and child abuse.

The story follows a young woman names Aangan Se Aasman Tak who uses her cooking skills to start four canteens in her community. It speaks for women's empowerment and strength and shows how, with the help of Self Help Groups, Aangan not only helped herself but other women in her community as well.

The film is beautifully made, with lovely camera work, nice and clear audio recording and great editing. The background music is Indian and appropriately selected to enhance the tone of the film. Congratulations to Anaihita Agarwal, the young filmmaker who created this piece. It certainly shows her passion for the subject matter and her control of the material.

The film's message is about women's resilience and strength. It serves as a reminder to other women that, against all odds, you can succeed when you put your mind to something.

The storyline follows a group of middle school students at the Psychic Arts Academy who are training how to use their powers of telepathy and telekinesis. Three kids, who haven't yet realized their powers, have been bullying the gifted kids who finally right back.

The production values are pretty good although the lighting stands out as something that comes up short. Also, although the background music is well suited, it is way too loud and often overshadows the dialogue. Last, the handheld camera work, which is used a lot, is very shaky wish is unpleasant to watch. Other than that, the audio is well recorded and it is well edited. The storyline was a bit hard to follow on the first viewing and took a subsequent viewing to make more sense of it. I love the concept of the story and there are fun things in the film such as the signs on the wall, directing the students of proper etiquette when developing their telepathic and telekinetic skills - such as "no floating desks" in the school room.

The film's message is about following rules and protocol, even when studying supernatural skills.

The story takes place inside a school where five children awake on the floor to discover that all their classmates have disappeared. These five wander around the school trying to figure out the cause of their disappearance. They discover that they were abducted themselves and with the help of an alien, uncover the secret behind the disappearance. Their classmates reappear, but an ominous being emerges with a message that more is to come.

It's not often that a sci-fi film is made specifically for a youth audience, which makes this a rarity. It is well produced with good camera work, audio recording and editing. The youth actors stand out, especially the five featured. The plot is a bit unclear, but moves along pulling you with it.

The film's message is about the unexpected and learning to deal with it.

The production values are pretty good here - from the video and audio recording, to the editing, the script and the acting. The writer, director also plays the role of the dad and his daughter in real life plays his daughter in the film. The background music is well selected, providing enough tone to move the story forward without being overbearing. My favorite moment in the film is when the daughter takes a bite of her sandwich and says, "mm." One thing that doesn't quite fit is that the supposedly "burnt" sandwich does not appear to be burnt at all - just lightly toasted like a good grilled cheese sandwich should be. Otherwise, it feels authentic.

The film's message is about family and supporting each other after a loss.

I give Cheesy Mourning 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults.

The story follows an 11-year-old girl named Billie who is spending time at a busy hotel for the holidays with her mom who is the owner of that hotel. An inspector comes to inspect the hotel and Billie's mom is stressed out about that. If it doesn't pass, Billie's mom will have to close the hotel down. Ever since her dad passed away all Billie wants is to have time with her mom, so she begins to investigate and find out who the secret inspector is to help her mother out and be with her like old times. The film is from The Netherlands and the dialogue is in Dutch, with English subtitles.

The story develops really well and held my interest. The film is well produced, with good camera work, audio recording, editing and acting. I really like the opening shot of the blue car driving up to the hotel. There are a lot of nuances to this story and it's amazing that they have been told in 21 minutes! Billie is my favorite character, played by Jolene Horowitz. She is adorable and reminds me of Eloise at the Plaza in some ways as she maneuvers her way around the hotel, having fun in a way that only someone completely familiar with it could. I could relate to her wanting to be closer to her mom after her dad passed. I particularly like Billie's detective costume with her oversized coat; it expresses her love for being a detective just like her favorite book series, Sherlock Holmes. We all try to emulate our favorite characters from books and movies, don't we? The film takes place in a rural area and the hotel seems to be sort of vintage. I like the background music that is used to introduce Billie's character, it provides a foreshadowing of Billie's personality. And, I love the dance and pancake happy ending scene at the end.

Julia van Braak, the director of this film, really stands out here. You can tell the work and effort that Julia put into making this film into a masterpiece. She directed this film and created the character of Billie similar to her own childhood, which I find interesting. My favorite part is when Billie is hiding in the closet and when she's busted by the inspector, she says, "I am inspecting for woodworms."

The film's message is that without family, there is nothing. Families aren't just our blood relatives, they are the people who are close to us in our lives.

The film follows Wang Wang (Yuze WU), an autistic boy who has a talent for ice skating. Fang Dan (Yujun Fan), a Chinese former world champion ice skater, helps coach neurodivergent kids to ice skate. She takes Wang Wang under her wings and coaches him to the championships. After joining the Special Olympics speed skating team, Wang Wang unfolds a story of confrontation and love between "abnormal" and "normal" people. The dialogue is in Chinese with English subtitles.

This film starts showing Coach Fang teaching kids, including Wang Wang, how to roller blade to get them accustomed to the feeling of the blades. Next she takes them to an ice rink, but only Wang Wang can grasp it. Eventually everyone catches on and Coach Fang coaches the kids to compete in competitions, starting with local ones and expanding to national ones. The production is beautifully made; the director's skills are obvious with the great video and audio quality. Hats off to Lingshou Kong. I particularly like the close-ups when all the kids are skating and we see the determination on their faces. The main characters are Coach Fang, Wang Wang, and Wang Wang's father, Wangchun (Binlong Pan). Coach Fang is portrayed with a caring heart and the passion of a coach. Wangchun starts the film with a dry attitude and a disregard for his health, but this changes when Wang Wang starts training. Wang Wang is portrayed as a happy and active kid with a natural talent for ice skating. This film takes place in modern-day China and was completed in 2024. The background music is interesting; it is in Chinese with children's voices. I commend the film's creator for choosing to make a film about neurodivergent individuals; it must take a lot of work, and the results here are commendable. My two favorite scenes are definitely the montage scenes because you can see how much work these kids put in.

The film's message is that we are all able to reach our goals; sometimes we need a little boost from our friends and family. Note that there is some mild profanity, scenes of alcohol consumption and some condescension towards Wang Wang. Near the beginning, when Coach and Wangchun meet for the first time, they say ass and bullshit. Also, Wangchun is shown drinking and gets drunk enough to go to the hospital. At another point, when Wang Wang meets other kids they call him stupid and idiot.

The storyline follows Johannes, a dedicated young German athlete who harbors the dream of becoming a Paralympian. His ambition begins to take shape when he joins his first track training camp in Belgium. The most unique aspect of the film is its narrator: Roller, Johannes's trusty, everyday wheelchair. Roller becomes the comic voice of the film, but also an emotional one, especially when he grows jealous of the sleek new competitive chair that Johannes begins using in training. The plot tracks Johannes's journey from packing his bags at home all the way to his final Paralympian race, showing the support he receives from new friends at the training facility who inspire him along the way.

The film's concept--rooted in the real-life story of a boy named Johannes--is fantastic. Director Nathalie was inspired to make this tribute to a boy from his hometown who was paralyzed in a car accident at age two, to show that no matter what challenges life presents, you can still achieve greatness. The camera work is clear and effective. I particularly enjoyed the mesmerizing shots of the ocean, which offered a beautiful, meditative break from the intensity of the track training. The visual impact of the red German national team jerseys worn by Johannes and his friends at the camp was strong and unifying. The highlight of the film is undoubtedly the characterization of Roller, the talking wheelchair. Roller's humorous sound effects and clever commentary inject tremendous humor and personality into the story, making the film engaging and truly interesting to watch. I highly recommend this film for its innovative storytelling, clear message, and laugh-out-loud narrator.

Roller is a tribute to achievement and tenacity. The film's ultimate message--that no physical hurdle can stop you from chasing and achieving your goals--is delivered beautifully, culminating in an extremely inspirational ending.

The film's message is that no matter what life throws at you, you can still achieve your goals and dreams.

The film opens in Hawaii, where accomplished environmental filmmaker and explorer Alison Teal reveals her long-held fascination with Northern Ireland's mystical Mermaid Cave. To investigate the fabled Lady in White who haunts Dunluce Castle, Alison partners with local big wave surfer and fellow explorer, Al Mennie (Game of Thrones, 100 Foot Wave).

We follow Alison and Al as they travel across the magical, mystical Irish cliffs on horseback, foot, and surfboard to Dunluce Castle, the origin of the legend of Maeve Rose. Maeve was a maiden locked away in the tower by her disapproving father; she and her lover drowned attempting to escape through Mermaid Cave during a storm.

The documentary features a dramatic reenactment of this tragic escape, as Alison and Al replicate the lovers' treacherous path from the high cliffs to the sea. They paddle along the shore and manage to enter the Mermaid Cave from the ocean side. The camera crew must have struggled greatly to follow them down that risky route, especially as a storm began to roll in!

After cleaning up trash they find in the cave to create an improvised torch, the explorers emerge to spend the night locked away in the very castle tower where Maeve was imprisoned. As the Aurora Borealis illuminates the night sky, they never see the ghost--until they are both safely back home.

In 2017, Taiwanese scholars discovered skulls labeled Formosa and Botan in the skull room of the University of Edinburgh. It was confirmed that these skulls likely belonged to the Paiwan people who were taken away during the Battle of the Mudan Incident in 1874. This film documents an unprecedented event in Taiwan: the first international repatriation of remains led primarily by Indigenous people.

This documentary develops in a logical way. We learn that it usually goes against the culture to bring the skulls back as they did not die of natural causes. However, the leaders were open to bringing the skulls home once it was confirmed they came from Mudan. The production is well made with good camera work, audio recording and editing. I particularly enjoyed how the rituals and ceremonies were shot and the close up on the fires for the cleansing ritual. Many indigenous communities like Taiwan's have faced the implications of trying to get stolen artifacts back. A UN Declaration has deemed that Indigenous people have the right to reclaim their artifacts. This film was made in Taiwan in 2024 and it shows a bit about the lives of the Mudan tribe and their culture. The work of the director, Wang Ling-Jung, stands out. She is a member of the Kuskus tribe from Mudan Township which gives her a starting base of what she wants to share. Her connections allow her to gain insights that someone not from the tribe would know. Her background in producing oral history documentaries pays off as the concerns of the elders are voiced in the film. My favorite part is the cleansing ritual that was done before the skulls were returned. That part was touching as all the communities in Mudan came to celebrate. It marked a start for them to gain a piece of their history back.

The film's message is about Indigenous empowerment and restoration.

Well made, this film tells of an historical event that is pretty much unknown in the Western world. What makes it relevant is the interplay between the tribe's chief, his daughter and his sons as they try to find a resolution that the invaders will accept. This is something that resonates with many Indigenous people worldwide, even today.

The film's message is about family and community.

The film follows the director, Behuy Masao, revealing the origin and history of his native people, the Topa. The documentary is not only about the history and origins of the Topa/Talay tribe but also their struggles and resistance during the Japanese occupation. The documentary uses animation and historical footage along with testimony by the descendants.

The film draws you in, especially the testimonies by Topa descendants. Animation helps illustrate historical events. The camera work is clear; the aerial shots of the historical sites allow viewers a look at the Tapo native land and untouched areas of Taiwan. The last Topa war chief, Watan Syat, was the main leader of Topa resistance to Japanese occupation and is featured in the film. I found the interview segments the best parts of the film, as those who are interviewed are either Topa descendants or experts in Topa history. Their participation made me more invested in the documentary. For example, Tomi Tanga, a granddaughter of Watan Syat, narrates her family history, and reveals details about how the events shaped her family until today.

The film takes place in Taiwan, with scenes of the Tapo homeland, historical sites and the natural scenery such as the Topa river in the Sanxia district, New Taipei and other places. The background music adds to the immersion process. In one scene, a traditional Tayal oral song is played featuring a Tayal singer as we visit the Shayan Terrace, which is the original site of the Topa people - and the sacred mountain Papak Waqa, known as Mt. Dabajian.

The importance of the film is in showing how important indigenous culture and traditions are, and that we should fight to preserve them. Note that it does contain graphic acts of violence. There are animated scenes showing warfare and death.

I give Rekindling the Embers: The Topa War, 1900-1907 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Note that this is a special interest topic about indigenous people of the far east.

This short film set to the song by the same name is toe-tapping fun.

The images are a montage of holiday type preparations by Santa and his helpers as well as kids and families of every type - old and young, varied races, in lots of different places. I love seeing Santa on a surfboard and dogs with hats on.

The film's theme focuses on families and Santa preparing for a splendid Christmas holiday.

The storyline follows a young boy who dreams of getting a bicycle and gets a job as a delivery boy, which he does on his skateboard, to earn money for it. However, when he earns enough money to purchase it, something else becomes a priority and he buys a gift for his father instead. That selfless act has its own surprise award.

What a lovely piece of animation, beautifully constructed with the just the right amount of details like the boy's eyebrow movements. The story unfolds at a reasonable pace and is easy to follow it, even without any dialogue. The background music is well selected and helps enhance the tone of the various scenes as they unfold. In the end, when the boy presents his gift to his father and the father pulls out one for him - we are all surprised and delighted. It's such a statement about the kindness of taking care of each other.

The film's message is about how doing good has its own rewards.

The film's central theme is deceptively simple: it's about how to grow a pineapple from the top of an old one. But it's far more engaging than a simple science lesson. The story introduces a group of wonderfully fun Sri Lankan animals who decide the best way to spend the six months it takes for a new pineapple to grow is by having a giant, continuous dance party! That's a lot of dancing, and it works perfectly.

The animation is bright, colorful, and highly stylized. The background music is incredibly upbeat and entirely danceable, making the whole experience feel like a continuous celebration. The narration is pleasant and easy to follow, making the film ideal for younger viewers.

While Ananasi isn't a scientific guide, it's certainly inspirational--I know I'm now tempted to try growing my own pineapple! The film's message is a blend of practical learning and emotional patience: It teaches you how to start a new project (growing the fruit) and how to handle the long wait with joy (by dancing and having fun).

This is a fun, positive animated short that would be fantastic as interstitial programming at a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.

The storyline follows multiple groups of kids who are all pursuing their own daily lives when they notice that something unusual is happening. They see something in the sky. The radio is predicting a catastrophe. Group by group, they run away from where they were and gather together in an apartment that one of them lives in as they try to figure out what to do.

Kudos to Czech Television and Punk Film (CZ) for working with these talented young people to help them create stories that reflect their life experiences and imaginations. This is very well made, with great video, audio and editing qualities. The acting by the young people is on target and they feel very natural in their roles. The suspense of the story grows throughout the film and the ending is imaginative and even more suspenseful.

The film's message focuses on how your community offers support even in the most dire circumstances.

The story follows a group of young people whose city is being attacked by mutated melons, which are rampaging the city. The young people, armed with a supply of chips, an old rusty sword, salt and borscht, plan their counter attack to save their city. The dialogue is in Ukrainian with English subtitles.

I love the humor of this film and the juxtaposition of melons as the villain. The jokes about the attack are a humorous twist on what they are experiencing in real life and some of the lines are truly clever such as, "If you are attacked, lie down and pretend you are a peach." Even in the humor, the reality of the real war comes seeping through such as, "your neighborhood is under attack, you have 2 minutes to pack your stuff and move out." The film is well shot, with good video and audio and great editing. The dialogue and acting are also well executed. My only issue with it is that there is some profanity, including the "f" word, which we see in the subtitles. Normally that would be a deal breaker, but because of the circumstances of these youth and the fact that the word is subtitled, we're going to give it a pass. I commend the people at Czech TV for taking time to work with these young people.

The film's message is about community and how by sticking together you can save yourself and your friends and neighbors.

The 2D animation, backed by a terrific soundtrack, tells this story without any dialogue and you can easily understand it. I love how we witness the community pretty much through the eyes of a boy / young man who is guided to become the storyteller of his people. Through him we see the hunting of buffalos, the attack of wild cats, the sickness of an elder, the kindness of a young woman, his extraction from the village and discovering ocher as a way to make images on the wall of a cave. The animation is simple and effective in telling the story, with things such as closeups of people's eyes, eyebrows lifting.

The film's message is about our history and how storytelling came about with Native people.

The film centers around Ori, a boy whose hobby of making organized collections makes him the subject of ridicule by bullies at his school. After receiving a Limelight Star cap from a crow, the collection of which would brand him India's "Limelight Star," Ori sees it as his mission to retrieve as many of these caps as possible. The crow leads him to Kachua Beach (Turtle Beach). But upon arriving, what was once Kachua Beach has become Kachra Beach--a beach of garbage, with mountains of garbage everywhere and from which the public is not allowed. Undeterred by the seemingly impossible task before him, Ori reaches out to friends and family to return the beach to its former glory. This film is from India, with dialogue in Hindi and English subtitles.

At first, I was disappointed that the animation was AI generated as I felt that it works against the pro-human, pro-environmentalist message of the story. However, the story is certainly worthy of our attention and honors the events that initiated this story. The film was inspired by the real-life story of Afroz Shah - a lawyer who successfully led one of the largest beach clean-up efforts in the world - bringing together over 200,000 people to restore the shoreline - and it shows that anything is possible as long as one puts their mind to it. As a short film, the plot develops rapidly, but it's easy for viewers to pick up on these points and relate to them. Ori doesn't start out to be a hero, he just wants to collect enough bottle caps to win a competition. However, Ori's persistence in making Kachua Beach clean again speaks to those yearning to make a difference and who care for the well-being of our planet. The film falters somewhat in the visual department, with the AI-generated animation resulting in uncanny visuals such as Ori's legs changing from back-facing to front-facing in the scene where he's dancing, Ori's expression when he smells the beach, and similar. But, the essence of the story is what's most important. My favorite part is when the Olive Ridley turtles return to Kachua Beach after it is restored, an event that occurred in real life at a beach in Versova, Mumbai.

The film's message is about the value of determination and self-expression. These two qualities, regardless of one's identity, hold significance and are worth cultivating. It's a reminder to never give up, no matter what.

The storyline follows two strangers who become friends as they embark on an adventure visiting sculptures around the world. As their travels expand, they grow closer until they don't and we are faced with what happens when what brought us together with another person no longer sustains our relationship with them.

The 2D animation is simple and effective, with colorful backgrounds and clearly defined characters. The story has minimal dialogue, but it's very effective. Plus, the background music helps create various moods throughout the film. I felt happy as the two people came together to explore a mutual interest in art and sad when one suddenly lost interest. However, the other sustains its interest on its own, and finds satisfaction in its own pursuit -- even imagining that its friend morphed from one of the sculptures. It's a great analogy for how friendships come together but don't always last forever as people change and move on.

The film's message is about adapting to change and staying centered in oneself.

The story line follows two 12-year-old girls, Kalu (Fernanda T�do Mongc�nnan) and Teresa (Helena Iara da Silva Shaw) who see bulldozers destroying the land, including a waterfall that is beloved by their community. The girls suspect that the village priest, Father Agenor (Fernando Alves Pinto) has something to do with this. Now, the girls have to stop the destruction and they discover the history of the land and their ancestors.

The plot is easy to follow and the dialogue is in Portuguese and subtitled in English, but sometimes the subtitles are missing. This is very well produced with excellent camerawork, audio recording and editing. The main characters are Teresa and Kalu. The both have a burning desire to save the land, even though it's beyond their control.

Throughout this film, the attire is typical of what present day people wear, they characters use cell phones and the bulldozer is very contemporary There is one scene where we see indigenous clothing and facial makeup. This happens when Kalu discovers her ancestors are Indigenous. The background music has such an important role in the film from acoustic melodies with brass and woodwind instruments to Indigenous chants or songs. I give credit to the director, Rita de C�cia Oenning da Silva, for bringing this film together, often using stories told to her by her mother. She incorporates the Indigenous culture into the film respectfully and beautifully. My favorite part is how the film teaches us a valuable lesson of enjoying life not for the riches, but for the things we learn and the people we meet on the way.

The film's message is that the treasure we seek isn't always riches and gold. The treasure is learning about who we are and who are our ancestors were.

The story follows Sarah Rector, a young African American girl born in Oklahoma Indian Territory in the early 1900s. As a Black grandchild of Creek Indians, she was allotted 160 acres of land under the Dawes Allotment Act of 1887. While the land appeared barren, Sarah firmly believed there was oil beneath the surface. At a time when oil wildcatters were rampant in Oklahoma and Texas, Sarah had to fiercely fight for what was rightfully hers. She eventually succeeded, becoming the first female African American millionaire at the age of eleven.

Kudos to Cyrus Nowrasteh for co-producing, co-writing, and directing this essential piece of history. The cast is wonderful, especially Naya Desir-Johnson as Sarah and Zachary Levi as Bert. The film opens powerfully with Sarah accepting the deed and immediately expressing her faith-filled conviction about the land's potential. She finds an unlikely ally and protector in the local wildcatter, Bert (Zachary Levi). Levi excels as the scoundrel with a good heart--unreliable at times, but ultimately redeeming himself as he supports Sarah against the local oil company, led by Garret Dillahunt. The performance of Naya Desir-Johnson stands out, flawlessly balancing Sarah's deep faith and innocence while demonstrating a fierce refusal to take flak from anyone. The pervasive racism of the era is evident, though it is handled sensitively for a broader audience.

Sarah's Oil is an enjoyable and profoundly moving experience. Its message about faith, family, and legacy is an uplifting one that will surely brighten your day at the movies. With a powerful true story and exceptional performances, it earns a high recommendation.

I give Sarah's Oil 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters November 7, 2025.

On the surface this is a children's song -- bright, bouncy, fun for car-rides. But peel back the confetti and you'll discover it's far more: a sly, joyous tutorial in how songs are built, disguised in the kind of melody that has kids tapping their feet and adults nodding along with satisfaction.

What sets this apart? First, the scale -- Doctor Noize doesn't shy away from orchestral ambition: the participation of the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the Colorado Children's Chorale and jazz saxophonist Anton Schwartz add texture, depth and a genuine "big stage" feel. Trust me, when you hear the swell of the strings and then the children's chorus jump in--you realize this isn't kids' music cut from the usual cloth.

Yet, Doctor Noize balances it with approachability. The concept is smart, but inclusive: counting one through seven becomes a map of song-sections (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.). Kids pick up the rhythm; parents pick up the structure, and everyone leaves humming something they didn't know they'd learned. It's sneak-syllabus: art plus edutainment without the scare-quotes. This seasoned artist definitely knows his audience and leads the proceedings like a pied piper maestro.

Production-wise this is crisp, exuberant, and lively. You hear the energy of the children's voices, the richness of the orchestra, and just enough jazz flourishes to keep it fresh. The key change? The hook? The moment when everything clicks? It's there, and it's satisfying. The structure is sound, no pun intended, because he outlines from 1 to 7 the structure of writing a song.

And then there's the birthday release angle: dropping such a song on the artist's own birthday (October 30) gives it a little extra sparkle -- like a party you're invited to whether you know it or not. If I were to pick a minor note -- in the sea of children's music, ambitious cross-genre pieces still run the risk of "too big" for little ears -- so my guess is the song's success will lean heavily on how the arrangements support repetition and accessibility. But in this case, Doctor Noize seems more than up for the job.

Verdict: "1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song" isn't just another counting tune -- it's a milestone in kids' music; it's intelligent, fun, and fully produced. It's the kind of song that makes you want to press replay in the car, let the chorus buzz through the house, and maybe, just maybe, you find yourself tapping along, picking up something you didn't know you were learning. I highly recommend this. It is a music video retrospective of the artist's career through music and song.

I give 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12.

The storyline is about a group of five boys who have concocted a theory that they are from the future, the past or somewhere in between. They discover that Nostradamus may have given a clue to how they can leave their boring, adolescent lives and move onto another planet or plane. Pablo, the wise boy who does not want to leave his family and town, nevertheless helps the others learn and understand the lessons of their journey. The film is from Spain with dialogue in Spanish with English closed captions.

The One, The Other and Those From Beyond is a magical realism story that makes viewers think about what the heck is happening! The cinematography and music are married to the story, while each character is likable and truly interesting. The script has philosophical concepts beyond the age level of the boys, but their acting is so good that the story works. It took a little bit to get drawn into the film, because the narrator, Pablo, describes each of his friends in relation to their perceived past--these two are extraterrestrials, that one is from a future galaxy, and similar -all while ordinary scenes at school and home are shown. Once everything falls into place, a delightful and joyous feeling prevails. Credit goes to the brilliance of the director, writer, and producer, Edwardo Luengo!

This film unravels a fantasy suitable for those who can handle unbelievable ideas. Visually, the lush landscapes, gorgeous Spanish architecture, and tiny, ancient streets of the beautiful medieval city of Cuenca draw you in. I loved that the primary mode of transportation for these youngsters is bicycles. I also like Pablo's face--he has an unusual cleft in his forehead and glasses. The orchestral music underscores most of the action scenes. The characters are endearing, because they think they are unwanted, outcasts or superior to society--and express that in such a way that they touch your heart. Kudos to Pablo Izquierdo, Yago de la Iglesia, Jaime Carpintero, Marco Barrio, and Mateo Garcia for great performances. Also, a big shout out goes to Candela Diaz who plays Abby; she is wonderful intermediary between the parents of the boys and her younger 'brothers.' This film invites the viewer to not only think about the ordinary aspects of living--including the spiritual nature of life--but about the quantum possibilities of our origins and connectivity to each other. Thus, it is educationally expansive. I laughed several times and was very curious about how the story would end.

The film's message is that each person is different and each of us has our own universe of possibilities within ourselves, but family, friendship and camaraderie are the most important things to a fulfilling life.

The story, told without dialogue, follows two puppeteers, an older man and a young girl, who arrive at an unknown underground building, and prepare their puppets for a performance with an eager group of children and parents. Their performance is interrupted midway by flickering light and the sound of destruction overhead. At that point we realize that they are in an air raid shelter performing for the refugees who are sheltered there. This film is from Hungary and I surmise it reflects on the war going on in Ukraine or a similar location today.

The production values are excellent, with great video, audio and editing. The two performers deliver very believable performances, as do the audience members. I love the use of puppets to tell this story as it brings about a sense of timeliness to this film since puppets have been used in theatrical performances for hundreds of years as have acts war. We are reminded that, even in the worst of times, there is a human need for entertainment as a relief from the daily chaos.

The film's message is about thinned for fantasy to escape reality.

The story follows Vivi, a young witch, who accidentally turns her grandmother's favorite spell book into a frog which quickly hops away. Vivi and her gigantic, blue Cat chase the frog who is desperately trying to hide in a local pond. Unfortunately Vivi needs to work on her spell casting ability to capture the frog and disenchant it before her grandmother discovers it's missing. Masha follows Bear to the same pond to go fishing. They meet Vivi and Cat and Masha uses her creative problem solving abilities to help Vivi! This short is from the Russian Federation and the dialogue is in English.

This production is top notch. The entire episode is 3D animation and it's superb; the magic scenes are particularly fun and creative. The main characters are truly endearing. I really enjoyed the voice-over performances of Sofia Calasso, as Masha and Camila Zapata as Vivi. The intonation, diction and general excitement they bring to their characters is exceptional. The animated scenery is beautiful and detailed in both the indoor and outdoor scenes. The background music really sets the pace and playfulness of each scene. I haven't seen this series before so I don't know how this episode fits in or about the relationships of the characters. This episode is certainly easy to understand and follows a fun progression. I love the scene where Vivi's spells backfire and she ends up chasing the frog only to find that all the frogs in the pond are suspended. This episode is written by Marina Sycheva and it is really creative and fun. I love how Cat is always protecting Vivi and they meet when Masha is interested in Cat's tail.

The show's message is that reading is fun and can help you find solutions to problem solving. Being open to friendship is also a theme in this story.

The story follows an aviation passion cat whose plane is rejected at the local airshow for not conforming to the aesthetics. Later, when a thunderstorm causes chaos, who comes to the rescue of the dignitaries, but our Passionate Cat!

I love the fun style of animation by the college student filmmaker, James Baroro. Well crafted animation and well crafted story as well. All that, combined with a good message, makes this an ideal short film for KIDS FIRST!

The film's message is that honesty and hard-work always delivers and to stick by your belief system.

The story is adapted from and Aesop's fable, featuring two cosmic rivals - the sun and the wind - who challenge each other in seeing who will be most successful in getting a man to take off his coat.

It's really appropriate to see whose power is most effective in this challenge - the wind with its gale like force only motivates the man to wrap his coat around him even tighter whereas the sun provides a welcoming warmth that allows the man to shed his coast and sit down in the sun-filled day. The animation is simple and effective. The narrator's voice is firm and delivers the story in a welcoming way. The background must is subtle and enhances the mood by its gentle presence.

The film's message is about the effects of power with the welcoming warmth of the sun being more effective than the gale force of the wind.

This animated short tells a tale of a magical house (Marjan Navidpour) that has waited a long time to find the "perfect witch" to live inside. One night, a traveler (Madeline Palmer) who has no witch-like powers, asks the house to stay the night. The house reluctantly agrees, on the condition that she leaves by the morning. The next day, the traveler offers to show the house where they can find the perfect witch. As they travel together, they create their own kind of magic.

The animation is amazing! I love the animation style which reminds me of pieces of pottery put together to form a design. The protagonist, the house, is portrayed with a childlike personality and a passion to create its own kind and loving future. I love how the plot develops throughout the film, starting with showing us how picky the house is about finding the perfect witch to live there. When a traveler pleases to stay because of the storm outside, the house reluctantly agrees, with the caveat that she leaves early the next day. The traveler offers to introduce the house to some witches to help it find the perfect witch and throughout their journey, their relationship begins to blossom. The house meets the "perfect" witch, but declines taking on the witch. She realizes that the traveler is the caring and loving witch that she so desires and the traveler moves in. This film, directed by Yanzhang Song, is short and sweet with a beautiful message. My favorite part is the ending, when the traveler stays to live in the house and says, "Well, if we call love magic. Then, maybe that is my witch power." I really enjoy watching this scene for its heartwarming ending.

The film's message is that love is its own special kind of magic that we all have.

This documentary examines the life of Jack O'Neill, a business man who started a swimwear brand for surfing and a sea educational program to teach children about the ocean environment. O'Neill is credited for opening up the first surf shop in San Francisco in 1952. Throughout the film, his efforts are explored along with his love for the sea. The Sea Odyssey Program not only educates kids about the ocean but teaches them to love it. O'Neill is really proud of what the program has to offer to kids.

The documentary develops in chronological order, starting from when Jack opened up his surf shop in 1952 through 2017, when Jack passed away. Anyone who has spent time in the ocean, who has ever put on a wetsuit, knows the name O'Neill. But how many of us know the man behind the brand? O'Neill invented wetsuits and, in so doing, changed the sport of surfing forever. This film directed by Yamal Duryea and produced by Joyce Anderson, in 2025, is a loving tribute to Jack O'Neill. Their love and respect for Jack and for the ocean comes through this film loud and clear. The camera work is professionally done; it's quite beautiful and the background music adds an element of calmness and focus. I love the archival footage at the beginning, showing a funky little shack on the beach where it all began. I really like the shots of the boat in the ocean. O'Neill is the protagonist of his own story. He really bonded with the ocean and wanted to pass that on to the younger generation. His goal was to teach them the relationship between the living sea and the environment. He didn't just talk to kids about the ocean. The classroom for the Sea Odyssey Program is the O'Neill catamaran, which takes the kids out into the ocean and immerses them in it. Be aware that some of the archival footage is not very clear and, when projected on a big screen, will be even less so. The film centers around Santa Cruz, California where O'Neill's shop was located and locals testify how he truly exemplifies the "spirit of California." Jack's impact on people worldwide is shown at the memorial services held round the world where people formed circles on top of their surfboards to honor him.

The film delivers a message about how the ocean is an integral part of our home on Earth and how important it is to honor, respect and protect it.