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Thank you doesn’t even begin to describe how thankful Nathalia and I are. What an amazing experience KIDS FIRST! has been for us. I highly recommend KIDS FIRST! to others interested in becoming a film critics. My daughter Nathalia’s written and oral communication has developed and continues to evolve, with help from the KIDS FIRST! staff. Their training program has provided Nathalia the necessary tools to help her articulate her views, share and exchange her impressions and have fun while learning.
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Are you a kid, age 9 to 18 who
- Loves, really loves films?
- Loves talking about the latest films?
- Envisions talking with celebrities on the Red Carpet?
Then, join our national KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Team!
At the heart of KIDS FIRST! are our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, ages 8 to 22 who review films, TV shows and digital media geared for children and families. Rather than having adults tell kids what to watch, KIDS FIRST! gives kids a voice, allowing kids to tell other kids what is (and is not) important, excellent, interesting, engaging and worth spending your own money on.
Our KIDS FIRST! reporters attend press screenings and junkets, red carpets and other special events for all the latest films, TV show and digital media rated G, PG and PG-13. Their written and videotaped reviews reach more than 5 million viewers per show.
KIDS FIRST! trains kids to become film and TV critics, interviewers and influencers. We provide coaches, editors and technical personnel to teach and assist our reporters in developing their skills, talents, dreams and goals in the far-reaching world of media.
Learning and Fun Can Be One!
While you are watchinig and reviewing films, your parents and teachers will love the skills that you are honing such as...
- Improved critical thinking skills
- Improved writing skills
- Develop oral skills through interviewing celebrities on the red carpet and at press junkets
- Building self-esteem as they learn and grow
- Learning how to view all media with a critical eye
- Acquiring team building skills as they work collaboratively with other KIDS FIRST! reporters
- Improved vocabulary to make their reviews more interesting
- Improved listening skills in order to have the best possible interview
Are you more interested now?
You can join our national team by taking our online training program or attending one of our week long or weekend boot camps.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get details on our 2020 Boot Camps.
Are you too busy to join our Film Critics?
Then, join our
Volunteer Reviewers!
1. Fill out our Volunteer Form Here.
2. Read our tips on creating reviews.
3. Send us a review of a current film, rated PG-13 or younger.
Are you an adult that wants to participate?
Join our Adult Reviewers.
1. Fill out our Volunteer Form here.
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?
Here are our evaluation forms. Forms.
Meet our Film Critics and Jurors
Bios for some of our current Adult Jurors.
Bios for our active KIDS FIRST Film Critics.
ABOUT THE KIDS FIRST! EXPERIENCE
I want to give KIDS FIRST! a shout out, as it's been four years now that our daughter, Abigail has been a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. We see tremendous growth in Abigail's reporting, particularly in being more articulate and poised. Some of her highlights – which are many – include interviewing numerous talented people like Justin Timberlake, Shakira, Kevin Hart, Zooey Deschanel, Weird Al Yankovic, Bella Thorne and many others. Attending red carpets and press junkets have been exciting and often, being the only kid reporter among top reporters is pretty cool!
Reviewing, reporting and being invited on the set of shows like Disney Channel’s T.O.T.S., Just Roll With It and other productions have made Abigail feel she has contributed positively to this world. It has also been really incredible to see 
Abigail's reviews published in the Huffington Post and other places. As any parent, we love when our child is happy and feel good about who they are. KIDS FIRST! has been like an extended family for us and has given Abigail something very special personally and professionally in her heart. Thank you Ranny for all you do and for giving kids a voice in this world where kids' voices matter and can make a difference! Fondly, David Lewis, Parent
Abigail Zoe L., Justin Timberlake at Trolls premiere
Why I put my child in KIDS FIRST!? My son loves the art of filmmaking. He used to watch me edit videos and he took a genuine interest. When he watches a movie or a show, he always had an opinion. He also likes being in front of the camera. When I saw they were going to do a KIDS FIRST! Boot Camp in NY, I signed him up. What he got out of that boot camp was more confidence to be able to voice what he did or didn't like about a film, DVD or anything. He knew that even though he is young, he has a voice and that his opinion is important. But KIDS FIRST! reinforced that idea. He also writes more than he used to, thanks to the reviews he has to write, which is great. After the boot camp was over, he decided to join the 
KIDS FIRST! Film Critics team. Since then, he has gone to many screenings, interviewed directors and producers from Disney, Warner and many more studios, has been interviewed online, reviewed movies and DVDs, and traveled to Indianapolis to cover an event for KIDS FIRST! It's been a great experience for him. An experience he wishes to continue to grow and learn from and I get to enjoy seeing his growth. The KIDS FIRST! team have been a great source of support and mentorship to my son. We love KIDS FIRST!, Cynthia R., Parent
Ryan R. and Mark Wahlberg
Gerry began submitting his student films to KIDS FIRST! when he was 9 and joined the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics team three years ago. Last spring, Gerry was invited to present some of his film ideas to Morgan Freeman’s production team after interviewing Freeman on the red carpet three times in six week’s time. Gerry’s feature length film on bullying has been picked up for distribution thanks to his
KIDS FIRST! connections. He has completed over 100 reviews and is now working on reaching 200! n Gerry’s mom recognized that the program’s benefits 
go beyond film critiquing. “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.” Gerry is currently enrolled in a production workshop at YouTube Space LA, representing KIDS FIRST! as one of only 10 channels accepted. Kate O., mother of Gerry O., Los Angeles, CA
Gerry O. and Keefer B.
interviewing Morgan Freeman
More from Parents
What do people from the Media Industry have to say about KIDS FIRST!
Read more about 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:
KIDS FIRST! /
Coalition for Quality Children's Media
112 W. San Francisco St., Suite 305A
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: 505.989.8076
email: [email protected]
