Press Coverage
Santa Fe Film Center, thanks to photographer Linda Carfagno
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University of Hawaii at Manoa
Ann Brandman, with University of Hawai‘i KIDS FIRST! Film Festival
Children’s Film Festival Honored
Manoa’s Outreach College KIDS FIRST! Film Festival received the 1st Community Film Series award at the national KIDS FIRST! Best Award Ceremony held Oct. 4 in Los Angeles.
Now in its second year, the 2008 UH KIDS FIRST! Film Festival expanded to include a special series for girls during Women's History Month in March, entitled GRLS r GR8! The summer festival saw the participation of two new partners—Maui screened a free film on its Great Lawn and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Hawai‘i offered two screenings poolside at the Sheraton-Waikiki. Total participation for all of the films in 2008 was approximately 1,175 children and adults.
"It's hard to beat a festival that screens quality, free films for families in venues that include an auditorium in a lush valley at UH Manoa, under the stars at Maui Community College, and poolside by the sea at the Sheraton-Waikiki,” says Ann Brandman, film festival director. “We're very grateful to KIDS FIRST! for selecting us as 1st Community Film Series and for their work on behalf of quality children's media."
FILM CENTER AT THE CINEMA CA FE
Screenings for October 2008.
Photos by Linda Carfagno
9th ANNUAL 2008 KIDS FIRST! BEST DAY AND AWARDS
CELEBRATION CELEBRATES THE BEST IN KID FILM
With Special Appearances by
Emily Osment and Girl Scout Volunteers Brittany Curran accepting her award . Aria Wallace accepting her award with Ann Church and Ranny Levy (l,r) Kay Panabaker accepting her award.
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Emily Osment "Soccer Mom"
Brittany Curran, Kunal Sharma and Writer Marc Mangum
From "Adventures of Food Boy"
Aria Wallace ("Roxy Hunter") and
Kay Panabaker ("Moondance Alexander")
On October 4th at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences the 9th Annual 2008 KIDS FIRST! Best Day and Awards Celebration celebrated studio, indie and student films in 37 categories with over 100 awards, including Best Emerging Actress going to Emily Osment (Soccer Mom) , Best Youth Actress going to Aria Wallace (Roxy Hunter) and Best Youth Talent to Brittany Curran (Adventures of Food Boy.) KIDS FIRST! honored industry professional, Martin Blythe, with the 2008 Palmer-Vision Award.
Opening the event were special hosts, Mallory Lewis and Lamb Chop, followed by a premiere screening of "Adventures of Food Boy." Cast members from the film, Brittany Curran, Kunal Sharma and writer, Marc Mangum, introduced the film. Emily Osment and Cassie Scerbo introduced the special screening of "Soccer Mom," with more awards following. The final premiere of " Roxy Hunter: Myth of the Mermaid" was introduced by its star, Aria Wallace. Kay Panabaker (Moondance Alexander and A Modern Twain Story: The Prince and the Pauper) received awards for her performance in both. The complete list of award winners can be found here.
KIDS FIRST!Top 100 Kid Films
KIDS FIRST! ANNOUNCES 2008 LIST OF TOP 100 KID FILMS
Annual List Is A Comprehensive Resource Guide For Parents And Features An Array Of New Releases As Well As Timeless Classics
KIDS FIRST has announced the release of its annual Top 100 Kid Films. The list is designed as a resource guide for parents to make informed movie selections for their children that are age and content-appropriate.
The Top 100 list features a wide array of acclaimed titles that includes animation, musicals, comedy, drama, action/adventure, and fantasy films. A summary for each title is included, as well as an MPAA rating and additional insightful commentary on why the film is notable from Ranny Levy, President and Founder of KIDS FIRST!. Chosen by the public through online voting from a list of more than 196 feature films selected by the KIDS FIRST! jury system, the final list recognizes feature films with universal appeal. This films selected for the list span more than 70 years of filmmaking and includes such classics as “The Wizard of Oz,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “The Sound of Music,” together with current and new releases “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” “Ratatouille” and “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” The complete list is available at www.kidsfirst.org/Top100.html.
“The Top 100 Kid Films list is designed to give parents and educators a convenient and reliable way to offer their young viewers suggestions that are winners every time,” says Ranny Levy. “The summaries also highlight positive messages and lessons many of these films offer that go beyond simple MPAA ratings. KIDS FIRST is committed to raising awareness of quality content for kids and we hope to make both parents and children more critical viewers with resources like the Top 100 list. Films such as these are wonderful way to entertain but also an effective way to teach children about other cultures and reinforce positive messages about tolerance, cooperation, friendship and overcoming adversity.”
Endorsement by Governor Bill Richardson
Endorsement by NM Film Office Director
Key West Film Society, Jan, Feb, March 08 Posters
Santa Fe Film Center Posters 2008
Denvery Film Society posters 2008
Parenthood ads 2008
Tivo Reviews 2008
Nappa Awards 2008
Grand Magazine Reviews 2008
Grand Magazine Reviews 2008
Grand Magazine Reviews 2008
Actress Kay Panabaker will be at the Sheraton Waikiki to take questions, sign autographs and hang out during her movie, “Moondance Alexander." Bring your suit and watch the movie from inside the pool!
WHERE: Poolside, Oceanside at the Sheraton Waikiki
Supported in part by the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawai‘i partners with The University of Hawai‘i KIDS FIRST! Film Festival with free screenings at the Sheraton Waikiki
WAIKIKI BEACH, HAWAII (June 3, 2008) – Lights! Camera! Action! Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawai‘i has partnered with The University of Hawaii KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, presented by UH-Manoa Outreach College to offer free screenings of fun family movies for local residents and island visitors this summer.
Hotels & Resorts
Starwood Hawaii Offers Children's Film Festival Screenings
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii has partnered with the University of Hawaii Kids First! Film Festival, presented by UH-Manoa Outreach College, to offer free screenings of fun family movies. The festival runs June 8 through July 20 with six Sunday screenings at 3 p.m. at the UH-Manoa Art Auditorium (except July 6). Two of the featured films will also have repeat showings poolside at the Sheraton Waikiki: "Moondance Alexander" (showing June 8 at UH-Manoa) will repeat at the Sheraton Waikiki at 7 p.m. June 29. The film, appropriate for children ages 8 and over, features Kay Panabaker ("Nancy Drew") as the spunky 12-year old Moondance who has a hard time making friends until a chance meeting with a wild pinto changes her life. The 94-minute film also features figure skater Sasha Cohen and was awarded Best Film at the Newport Beach Film Festival. "Alice Upside Down" (showing June 22 at UH-Manoa) will repeat at the Sheraton Waikiki at 7 p.m. July 6. The 90-minute film, based on books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, features Alyson Stoner ("Cheaper by the Dozen"), Lucas Grabeel ("High School Musical"), Luke Perry and Penny Marshall, and was awarded Best Comedy Feature at the International Family Film Festival. Eleven-year-old Alice finds her life disrupted when her widowed father moves the family to a new town. Visit www.outreach.hawaii.edu/summer. For details on the two screenings at the Sheraton Waikiki, visit www.sheraton-waikiki.com. more
Honolulu Advertiser: http://m.honoluluadvertiser.com/detail.jsp?key=98216&rc=en&full=1
Star Bulletin: http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/11/features/story05.html
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Wubbzy Visits Phoenix Festival
At Maricopa Partnership for Arts and Culture
Santa Fe Film Festival - May Screenings
Film: Jane & the Dragon: A Dragon's Tail
Photos by Linda Carfagno (Santa Fe Film Center photographer)
People: Cynthia & Luc Koenig.
Newport Beach Film Festival - April 2008
Alyson Stoner from "Alice Upside Down" Appears at Newport Beach Film Festival and at Build a Bear - April 2008
Pennsylvania Film Institute Press Release
Maricopa News
MARICOPA PARTNERSHIP FOR ARTS AND CULTURE

Screening of Bugville at Maricopa Film Festival in Phoenix

Activities included coloring pages and "make a bug"
KIDS FIRST! Film Festival at Santa Fe Film Center

A project of the Santa Fe Film Festival
Supported by Los Alamos National Bank.
Photo by Linda Carfagno. Standing: Jon Bowman, Artistic Director, Santa Fe Film Festival; Junior Film Critics: starting to the left of Jon, clockwise: Charles Smith, Brandon Martinez, Ann L., Dylan Bowman, Chase Sullivan, Ashley McKenna, Mona, Tia Sullivan.
GRLS r GR8! - In Honolulu
University of Hawai'i's Outreach College

Story, Star Bulletin: "atta girl films"
(click on logo for full story)
University of Hawaii at Manoa
In the world of GRLS by Kawehi Haug
Perhaps that old elementary school adage "girls rule, boys drool" takes things a little too far, but it's sort of the same idea. Girls rule. The University of Hawai'i's Outreach College, the division of the university that provides year-round classes for both traditional and nontraditional students, celebrates Women's History Month with a mini film fest dedicated to children's films that are all about girls.The film series, dubbed ever so text-message-savvily as "GRLS r GR8!" in a nod to the modern girl (OMG, that's like, so kewl!), takes place the first two Sundays of March and April. It kicks off with a couple of flicks for the young ones before taking it to the tweens and teens to finish out the four-installment series on April 16. Rest of the story
"GRLS r GR8!" is the theme of a mini film festival that presents girls' achievements and challenges. It's a family-friendly series — yes, boys are invited, too — that's part of the larger Kids First! film festival that launched last summer at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa and is scheduled to return this summer. The movies include "Eloise in Springtime," "Madeline: Meet Me in Paris," "Her Best Move," "The Adventures of Ociee Nash" and a collection of shorts. There are prizes at each screening, too.3 p.m. March 2 and 9, April 6 and 13 / UH-Manoa Art Auditorium / Free / www.outreach.hawaii.edu.
Dept. of Human Services/Commission on the Status of Women website with GRLS r GR8! http://hawaii.gov/dhs/women/women
Honolulu Star Bulletin article
Independent Film News
I am very happy to announce that one of my new good friends, Anna Wilding is screening hermovie, “Buddha Wild Monk in a Hut” in New York, City on the 19th of March. Anna is an accomplished actress who not only wrote the film, she also produced and directed it as well. I am very proud to be able to feature her film on the Production Blog.
Buddha Wild Monk in a Hut has been all the rage at the film fests and is one of 65 films to be accepted into the Kids FIRST Film Festival sponsored by the American Coalition for Quality Children’s Media. The group evaluates and rates the best movies available for children and young adults and it is backed by HBO, Fox, Paramount Vantage plus many more. More...
Beloit Film Festival
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The USA Film Festival Announces
24th Annual KidFilm® Festival
January 19 - 20, 2008
The USA Film Festival’s 24th annual KidFilm® Festival announces the schedule of something for everyone.events taking place Saturday, January 19 and Sunday, January 20, 2008 at the Angelika Film Center, 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas.
KidFilm is the oldest and largest children’s film festival in the United States, featuring an exciting and diverse line-up of new and classic films and videos for both children and adults. Spotlighting a multicultural slate of programs ranging from the French Creole and Native American legends and book-based works to songs that joyfully teach, showcasing animated and live-action works, KidFilm has more
Salute to Mallory Lewis and Lambchop
Mallory Lewis and Giggles |
Honoring the legacy of her mother, the legendary Shari Lewis, award-winning children’s entertainer Mallory Lewis brings a new puppet (Giggles) to a new generation – with some help from an old friend -- the beloved Lambchop! Mallory brings learning through music to young audiences through her new Phonics 4 Babies program. KidFilm will feature a live performance by Mallory Lewis and Lambchop, and kids will also receive a free DVD. Program presented with support and partnership from KIDS FIRST! a program of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media. (Showtime = Saturday, January 19, 2:30 p.m.)
Special 20th Anniversary Salute to Barney the Dinosaur
Twenty years ago a former teacher from Dallas created a big purple, singing dinosaur that became a national phenomenon with children, who loved him, and parents who couldn’t get the songs out of their heads. In the world premiere of the new direct-to-DVD release (Barney: Celebrating Around the World), Barney and friends take a magical train ride on Barney’s Imagination Unlimited and, through food, music and dance, explore the different types of festivities around the world in a multi-cultural adventure teaching the value of diversity and friendship. (Barney will be in attendance to greet kids and parents at KidFilm.) Program presented with support and partnership from KIDS FIRST! a program of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media.
(Showtime = Sunday, January 20, 12:30 p.m.) more
Labou Regional Premiere Sunday, January 20, 4:30 p.m.
Adventurous Emily (Marissa Cuevas), skeptical Gavin (Darnell Hamilton), and the unruly Toddster (Bryan James Kitto) set out on a journey to find the dreaded ghost of Captain LeRouge, a pirate whose treasure-laden ship was rumored to be lost in the Louisiana bayou over two hundred years ago. What they find is an adventure beyond their wildest imagination including a ghost pirate and the magical swamp creature "Labou," whose whistles, per Louisiana legend, are rumored to be the original inspiration for jazz. With the help of Labou, the three unlikely friends race to stay one step ahead of two zealous southern developers and local politicians to try and discover the long lost treasure in time to save the swamps from destruction. 95 minutes. Recommended for ages 5 and up. more
The Prince and the Pauper World Premiere Sunday, January 20, 12:30 p.m.
Mark Twain’s classic story gets a modern twist in this fun-filled, live-action family adventure, starring Cole and Dylan Sprouse ("The Suite Life of Zack and Cody"). Eddie and Tom are two 14-year-olds with only two things in common: they both look exactly alike, and are both unhappy. Movie star Eddie just wants a normal life, while regular kid Tom dreams of a more glamorous life. When the two accidentally meet on the set of Eddie’s new movie, they impulsively switch places for the afternoon, each getting a taste of the life that he only dreamed was possible. But when Eddie’s production company abruptly moves hundreds of miles away, Tom and Eddie soon find themselves in deep double trouble when no one believes who they really are. Co-starring Kay Panabaker, Vincent Spano, Dedee Pfeiffer, and Ed Lauter. 92 minutes. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Program presented with support and partnership from KIDS FIRST! a program of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media. more
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National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) 2007 winners
of its Children’s Products Competition for the best DVDs, music, toys, books and magazines, software and video games and storytelling CDs have been announced. All 95 products earning the coveted NAPPA Gold Award, and 171 products earning the NAPPA Honors Award, have been published in a holiday gift guide checklist, Great Gifts for Kids, now available at http://www.nappa.parenthood.com/. CQCM president, Ranny Levy and several senior KIDS FIRST! jurors evaluate for NAPPA's DVD awards.
2007 NAPPA Gold Medal DVD Winners
For Infants and Toddlers
Baby Einstein: My First Signs
Classical Baby 3-Pack: Music, Art & Dance
Phonics 4 Babies: Baby's First Words
Way to Go, Juno
For Preschoolers
Angelina Ballerina: Angelina Follows Her Dreams
Caillou's Playschool Adventures
Disney's Little Einsteins: Legend of the Golden Pyramid
Maggie and the Ferocious Beast: Somewhere in Nowhere Land
For Ages 5 & Up
Arthur and the Invisibles
Eloise Goes to School
Gustafer Yellowgold's Wide Wild World
Suzi Shelton Live at Southpaw
For Ages 8 & Up
Flight 29 Down: Vol. 1
Going to School in India
Hannah Montana: Pop Star Profile
For more information, visit: http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=9887
DVD Gold Winners:
http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=10857
DVD Honor Winners:
http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=10863
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I OUTREACH COLLEGE
KIDS FIRST! FILM FESTIVAL
WINS "BEST NON-CREDIT PROGRAM" AWARD AT THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SUMMER SESSION ADMINISTRATORS CONFERENCE
KIDS FIRST! TV Reviews Are Available On

(click on logo to get there )

KIDS FIRST! JOINS SMART TELEVISION ALLIANCE
10/16/07
Nationwide Coalition To Offer Resources, Tools and Recommendations from Children’s Media Experts, Parents and Teachers
Hawaii KidFest GRLS r GR8!
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Screenings of KIDS FIRST! Film Festival Selections take place at
various venues year-round.
To locate which films are playing where,
visit our Festival Tracking Page
KIDS FIRST! BEST DAY AND AWARDS CELEBRATION
KIDS FIRST! Best
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OCT. 7 | The Coalition for Quality Children’s Media gave out more than 25 KIDS FIRST! Best Awards in Malibu, Calif., over the weekend, including five “Best of the Fest” prizes to films that represent the gamut of children’s entertainment. More
Kids First! Best Event
Nominees for KIDS FIRST! Best Awards
Winners of KIDS FIRST! Best Awards 2007

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium star Zach Mills was named best emerging actor at the KIDS FIRST! award show in Malibu on Oct. 7.
Maitland Primrose Group Joins Forces with KIDS FIRST!
To Increase the Visibility and Availability of Quality Children's Media
Suzie Shelton Performing at Brooklyn Children's Museum
Teletubbies Coloring Page
here.
Mama Mirabelle's Coloring Page
here.
KIDS FIRST! Film Festival June 17- July 22
University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Centennial Celebration of Film
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KIDS FIRST! Film Festival Comes to Hawaii |
"I just believe in the KIDS FIRST! program. I'll sell it with all my heart. I can't tell you how it has energized me -- I'm singing all the time! It's like a completion of work I began in film 25 years ago, when I first came to Hawaii and wanted to set up a media arts center to promote critical viewing skills and quality media. But how great to work with all that with kids, when they are open and curious, as well as vulnerable." Ann Brandman, Executive Director, University of Hawai'i at Manoa Outreach College
Moving Pictures Magazine, Cannes Edition
Pennsylvania Children's Film Festival / KIDS FIRST!
Grand Magazine, Reviews
Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine
United Parenting Publications, Ads and Editorials
Betty Brinn Children's Museum
Denver Film Society
Go Diego Go
Dora the Explorere
Images Cinema
Avalon Theater, Washington, DC
Moving Pictures Magazine, Winter Edition
Video Business Jan. 29, 2007
Playthings
USA Film Festival's KidFilm 2007Dallas -
Jan. 20, 2007 |
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![]() (Right and below) Hip Hop Kidz perform to full house at the Long Island Children's Museum, January 15, 2007 |
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Best of Fest
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Winner, Best Feature
for Ages 12-18 |
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KIDS FIRST! BEST PRESENTED AT
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Coverage in Working Mother
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Women’s Museum and
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KIDS FIRST!, SESAME WORKSHOPHit the Road with Special Screenings of Preschool Series,“Pinky Dinky Doo”
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Newport
Beach Film Festival
Shows KIDS FIRST! Films

April 21 – 23, 2006
Newport Beach Film Festival
selects a collection of KIDS FIRST! films to screen along
with their features, shorts and documentaries from around the
World
Newport
Beach Film Festival Announces Family Film Series Lineup
Photo, right: Will Ferrell and Burble, a costumed character
from Danger Rangers series
More Coverage
Images Cinema
Santa Fe Film Festival
Seattle Boat Show
Explora Museum
LA County Museum of Art
USA Kid Film Festival
Betty Brinn Museum
New York Hall of Science
Lollipop Theater Network
Belcourt Theater
Explora Museum
Denver Children's Museum
Home Media Retailing
KIDS FIRST! Best 2005
KIDS FIRST! Best Awards
2005
Presented
at
Starz Denver Film Festival
- Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus
- Danger Rangers, Mission 547
- Dora the Explorer
- Mad Hot Ballroom
- Because of Winn Dixie
All Winners
Left to right: Chuckie, Kim Waldauer, Lisa Bull, and Patrick, Paramount Home Entertainment
Best of the Fest
PRESS ARCHIVES
2005
KidFest Beaumont, TX,
Aug. 2005
Still Putting Kids First,
Aug. 2005
Starz
Denver Junior Film Critics, Nov. 2005
2004
Great Neck Record, Jan
15, 2004
Daily Record, Morris
County, Jan 23, 2004
Patent Trader, Feb.
12, 2004
The Journal News, Feb.
2, 2004
The Sound &
Town, Feb. 6, 2004
The New York Times, Jan.
16, 2004