Watch our
Listen to Our What parents and kids think about KIDS FIRST!
Thank you from Ruhi for the "Sketch" Red Carpet opportunity. She enjoyed every moment and was in heaven. It was certainly an experience for me. The talent was pleasantly surprisingly nice to the young reporter - Both Tony Hale and D'Arcy Carden were very professional and encouraging with Ruhi and that warmed my heart and gave me hope for this industry. Thanks again for creating this program and giving these unique opportunities to kids. For Ruhi, this experience has been irreplaceable!!! (Aparna Y., Ruhi’s mom)
 It's been great being a part of KIDS FIRST! Getting involved in the film industry has always been a dream of mine, and the platform that KIDS FIRST! offers helps to make it come true. I've loved learning how films are reviewed and presented to the public. In addition, being able to interview celebrities, and attend special events and premiers, has been so much fun. (Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
|
KIDS FIRST! has been such an amazing experience for Kinsley. She has gotten to do everything from interviewing actors/directors to even being on her first podcast. She also loves having the first look at movies, TV shows, books, and even music. The jobs she has completed with KIDS FIRST! over the past year have given her invaluable lessons that she will be able to take with her into adulthood. KIDS FIRST! is amazing! - Erin Hillis
It has been my honor for the last seven years to be a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Reporter. KIDS FIRST! strives to ensure every child has access to media content that inspires, educates, and fosters their development. During my time as a KIDS FIRST! reporter, I have been privileged to interview Directors, Writers, Cast and various production personnel regarding their roles and projects in the entertainment industry. I have attended press screenings and written reviews of movies, television shows and other media sources that were published on the KIDS FIRST! website and social media platforms. In addition, one of my favorite responsibilities has been as a juror to evaluate both national and international films for consideration in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. (Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic) 
I'm proud to be a part of an amazing organization like KIDS FIRST! I have gotten opportunities I never thought I’d have, and I can’t wait to continue pursuing my passion for the entertainment industry. Kyla 
I’ve had an amazing journey with KIDS FIRST! I have interviewed amazing people and completed my dream assignment of covering Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards. KIDS FIRST! has allowed me to get more experience as an entertainment journalist and film critic. I get to see hundreds of movies for free and I get to talk to really cool people. I love being a KIDS FIRST! Reporter! Tiana S. 
I have learned so many important things from KIDS FIRST! The most important things are: learning a huge depth of industry knowledge, team work, accountability, how hard work pays off, commitment, time management, conversational skills, creative writing skills, peer reviewing skills, how to make friends via Zoom and how to take criticism in stride. It’s taught me how to learn and grow with each mistake I make. Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic 
Your program not only teaches kids how to be better communicators, more pleasant company and knowledgeable movie gurus, it gives them so much more. These kids will be able to socialize and speak properly, write great essays, participate intelligently in debates and become confident leaders.
Are you a kid, age 9 to 16 who
- loves, really loves films?
- loves talking about the latest films?
- envisions talking with celebrities on the Red Carpet?
- Imagines a future for yourself in the entertainment Industry?
Then, 
we have a place for you!!!
Audition to join our amazing team!
Audition deadlines:
November 15, 2026
January 15, 2026
February 15, 2026
Winter Camp: Jan. 10 - Feb. 14 (6 consecutive Saturdays)
Spring Camp: March 14 -
April 18 (6 consecutive Saturdays)
Summer Camp 1: June 15 - 20 (Daily, Monday through Saturday)
Summer Camp 2: July 16 - 20 (Daily Monday through Saturday)
Times: All boot camp classes meet at 1 p.m. ET; 12 p.m. CT; 11 a.m. MT; 10 a.m. PT for 50 minutes.There is an assignment after each class which will take 1 to 2 hours to complete. The assignment is due within 48 hours for the weekly camps and within 4 hours for the daily camps. Please plan your time accordingly.
Our fall and winter boot camps meet once a week, on Saturdays, for 6 consecutive Saturdays. Summer camps meet daily for six days. The last day of either camp is "Parents' Day" where one or more parents is asked to join us.
All are held online on zoom or a similar platform.
Check out our new podcast on IHeartMedia
Watch our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics On Assignment!
KIDS FIRST! Film Critics take you behind the scenes of Hollywood's newest releases. Our team of 65 youth reporters, ages 9 to 23, give kids and families a kids' point of view as we interview A-list celebrities like Morgan Freeman, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Shia LaBeouf, Trace Adkins, Eva Longoria, George RR Martin, Joe & Anthony Russo, Sir Patrick Stewart, Kelly Clarkson and more.
Our KIDS FIRST! interviews and reviews are published on the KIDS FIRST! website, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok), our YouTube Channel, our bi-weekly podcast and are published both online and in print by our publishing partners (Kidsville News, News-o-matic, GRAND Magazine, SoCalCityKids and more) All our reporters are influencers themselves, with a combined social media reach of over 5,000,000. You can see their most recent reviews and interviews on our YouTube Channel:
Too busy to become a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic? Or, too old? Join our Volunteer Reviewers!
For kids...
1. Fill out our Volunteer Form.
2. Read our tips on creating reviews.
3. Send us a review of a current film, rated PG-13 or younger.
For adults...
1. Fill out our Volunteer Form.
2. Then, read our juror's manual. 3. Then, send us a review of a current film, rated PG-13 or younger.
Are you a current Film Critic or Juror?
Meet our KIDS FIRST Film Critics.
Watch our most recent reviews and interviews
Hear what Media Professionals have to say about KIDS FIRST!
What is KIDS FIRST!?
KIDS FIRST! is a project of the Coalition
for Quality Children's Media, a national, nonprofit
(501-c-3) organization founded in 1991 that is a voluntary collaboration between the
media industry, educators and child advocacy organizations. The mission
of the Coalition is: 1) To teach children to become critical media
users and; 2) To increase the visibility and availability of quality
children's media.
Office Address:
Coalition for Quality Children's Media
112 W. San Francisco St., Suite 305A
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: 505.989.8076
Email: [email protected]
Refund policy:
If you withdraw 30 days before the first class, you will receive a full refund.
If you withdraw 10 days before the first class, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you withdraw once the class has begun, there is no refund.
If you drop out of the class, are a no show, or do not fulfill your assignments, you will not receive a refund and will not be invited to join the film critics team.
