KIDS FIRST! Video Titles

The storyline follows a kid that uses his admiration for Batman to cope with different situations at his home and at school, and he tries his best to assimilate everything that is going on around him.

The film accurately portrays how people may feel about a condition or disease, in this case - blindness. The boy knows something is not right but, because he has not been informed about what is going on, he cannot completely understand it. He can see similarities between his father and Batman, which is what causes him to admire Batman and his powers. This is the main storyline. Some of the other scenes are confusing in relation to the main storyline, and they generate different feelings.

The camera work is good with multiple angles from scene to scene. The kid wears a Batman costume at the beginning of the film to emphasize his admiration for him. The locations and sets are well chosen and they give us insight into the child's life at home, school and with his friends. The background music isn't particularly noticeable until the end when it adds to the emotional moment of understanding what is happening in the child's life. Each actor portrays its characters well. They are passion when arguments break out. The mother's face tells all, whether it be pressure or sadness. The innocence of the child helps you understand why he sees the situation in one way and not particularly how it is actually happening. There are some moments when the shots are difficult to see, especially during scenes with low light.

The film shows how a kid perceives the blindness of his father and how he copes with that. Because he assumes his father cannot see, he tries to do everyday actions with his eyes closed. This shows the empathy of the kid toward his father. However, the film also shows the emotional toll that the father's condition has brought to the family, especially to the mom. She is perceived as tired, ashamed and sad over what her life has become. Because of all these factors, the message of the film is to make viewers understand how a health condition can have a great impact on families, and that is necessary to explain to children what is going on and teach them how to cope so they know how to react in settings outside home. It does show kids doing risky things that kids might imitate. The film touches on blindness and its effect on the family, but it does not explain the condition itself. It also doesn't show ways to effectively cope with blindness. The scene when the father is playing with his child and the way the mother observes and smiles is touching. It is one of only two times she is shown smiling during the whole film. It shows how at the end, she is willing to learn how to live with her husband's condition.

Because the kid is trying to imitate Batman, he puts himself in danger by doing activities with his eyes closed. When one of his friends tries to imitate him and he is injured both times. Once, by falling on the stairs and then by getting hit by a car. These are actions that small kids could easily imitate and result in injuries. Also, even though it adds to the drama sense of the film, there are arguments and discussions throughout the film, which are normal in scenes like those, but for a child it can be shocking the level of yelling or the mother scolding her child in a strong way. Because of how the scene plays out, one assumes that she smacks him, but that is not shown.

I give Sweet Taste of Darkness 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 15 to 18, plus adults.

Even though there is no physical violence and the moments the children injure themselves are not shown, they show high-risk behaviors that could be imitated by children. The film is best suited for a more mature audience that understands how a condition like blindness can have a great impact on the entire family. The representation of Iranian culture and exposure to the condition is something that definitely makes this film relevant. Reviewed by David O., KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - The short foreign film Sweet Taste of Darkness has an emotional message, but it is a bit unclear. I appreciate the way it portrays Iranian culture and cityscape, but there are so many scenes that are not clearly explained and, even though this is to build anticipation for the ending, there are unanswered questions at the end.

The storyline follows a kid that uses his admiration for Batman to cope with different situations at his home and at school, and he tries his best to assimilate everything that is going on around him.

The film accurately portrays how people may feel about a condition or disease, in this case - blindness. The boy knows something is not right but, because he has not been informed about what is going on, he cannot completely understand it. He can see similarities between his father and Batman, which is what causes him to admire Batman and his powers. This is the main storyline. Some of the other scenes are confusing in relation to the main storyline, and they generate different feelings.

The camera work is good with multiple angles from scene to scene. The kid wears a Batman costume at the beginning of the film to emphasize his admiration for him. The locations and sets are well chosen and they give us insight into the child's life at home, school and with his friends. The background music isn't particularly noticeable until the end when it adds to the emotional moment of understanding what is happening in the child's life. Each actor portrays its characters well. They are passion when arguments break out. The mother's face tells all, whether it be pressure or sadness. The innocence of the child helps you understand why he sees the situation in one way and not particularly how it is actually happening. There are some moments when the shots are difficult to see, especially during scenes with low light.

The film shows how a kid perceives the blindness of his father and how he copes with that. Because he assumes his father cannot see, he tries to do everyday actions with his eyes closed. This shows the empathy of the kid toward his father. However, the film also shows the emotional toll that the father's condition has brought to the family, especially to the mom. She is perceived as tired, ashamed and sad over what her life has become. Because of all these factors, the message of the film is to make viewers understand how a health condition can have a great impact on families, and that is necessary to explain to children what is going on and teach them how to cope so they know how to react in settings outside home. It does show kids doing risky things that kids might imitate. The film touches on blindness and its effect on the family, but it does not explain the condition itself. It also doesn't show ways to effectively cope with blindness. The scene when the father is playing with his child and the way the mother observes and smiles is touching. It is one of only two times she is shown smiling during the whole film. It shows how at the end, she is willing to learn how to live with her husband's condition.

Because the kid is trying to imitate Batman, he puts himself in danger by doing activities with his eyes closed. When one of his friends tries to imitate him and he is injured both times. Once, by falling on the stairs and then by getting hit by a car. These are actions that small kids could easily imitate and result in injuries. Also, even though it adds to the drama sense of the film, there are arguments and discussions throughout the film, which are normal in scenes like those, but for a child it can be shocking the level of yelling or the mother scolding her child in a strong way. Because of how the scene plays out, one assumes that she smacks him, but that is not shown.

I give Sweet Taste of Darkness 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 15 to 18, plus adults.

Even though there is no physical violence and the moments the children injure themselves are not shown, they show high-risk behaviors that could be imitated by children. The film is best suited for a more mature audience that understands how a condition like blindness can have a great impact on the entire family. The representation of Iranian culture and exposure to the condition is something that definitely makes this film relevant. Reviewed by David O., KIDS FIRST! Juror
Runtime: 20 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 15-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO

WHAT ABOUT MY BAG? - SAGE DRAKE
Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 12-18
Description - A short quirk comedy about a young essential grocery worker who meets up a very difficult customer during the covid-19 crisis.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - A comical take of a relevant situation! What About My Bag? is the story that many grocery workers have been facing since the start of the pandemic. The film takes a comical tone in showing a tense situation. I wish the film had better addressed the importance of following the guidelines set by stores during the pandemic and how truly essential grocery store workers are.

The film follows Natalie, a grocery worker that has to face the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic at work. This time, she has to deal with a very stubborn customer as she tries to make her understand the guidelines of the store.

The film is accurate in portraying the reality that many grocery workers continue to face during this pandemic. Many customers do not follow the guidelines, which are just set to protect them and protect store staff. It is fun that the film adds comical details, maybe with the intention to make it not quite so serious. However, the story at times feels a little too long, since it is a back and forth conversation without any outside details or other characters involved.

The camera angles are appropriate and the backgrounds are easy to identify and associate with in terms of common places. Some shots where the characters are speaking are a little too close, as they are speaking directly to the camera and not to the other character. But overall, the camera work is good and realistically captures the facial expressions and gestures of the characters. The location is a grocery store parking lot. The background music adds to the comical scenes in the film and the absurdity of the conversation. Most of the time the music is playful as the characters go back and forth, but it increases in a tense scene, adding to the dramatic tone as well. The grocery worker is played by Natalie Mangiante and the customer is played by Venee Lotusfire Call-Ferrer. Both actors show a range of emotions - frustration, sadness, stress, anger and doubt. Even with the masks on, their eyes, tone of voice and gestures are express what the story is in a way that you can't miss. There is one scene where the grocery worker is so frustrated with the customer that, in a made-up scenario, she takes the bag and uses it to suffocate her. This does not occur during the film and is a brief sequence, but it may be something that parents would not be comfortable with or that children could imitate. My favorite part is when the film addresses the audience and in a message thanks the essential workers. During these difficult times, these workers are driving the country and they are risking their lives to protect others and help others. Some of them may have many necessities, fears, and situations at home, but they are constantly working to do the best that they can do to help those who are in a more severe condition or who are trying to keep the "normal" during these times. The grocery worker is played by Natalie Mangiante, who has acted in at least eight other films and has written and directed some of those same films. The customer is played by Venee Lotusfire Call-Ferrer.

The director explains that this is a film about a personal story that happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The message emphasizes how simple it is to follow guidelines in order to stay safe and minimize the risk of being infected with covid and how bad people look when they do not do this and put their feelings over the safety of others.

I give What About My Bag? 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film shows a current and relevant situation that is occurring every day in the United States and across the globe. By watching this short film, many families will see how easy is to just follow guidelines and how bad it looks when we put our emotions or our pride before thinking about the impact that our decisions may cause in others around us. Reviewed by David O, KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - A comical take of a relevant situation! What About My Bag? is the story that many grocery workers have been facing since the start of the pandemic. The film takes a comical tone in showing a tense situation. I wish the film had better addressed the importance of following the guidelines set by stores during the pandemic and how truly essential grocery store workers are.

The film follows Natalie, a grocery worker that has to face the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic at work. This time, she has to deal with a very stubborn customer as she tries to make her understand the guidelines of the store.

The film is accurate in portraying the reality that many grocery workers continue to face during this pandemic. Many customers do not follow the guidelines, which are just set to protect them and protect store staff. It is fun that the film adds comical details, maybe with the intention to make it not quite so serious. However, the story at times feels a little too long, since it is a back and forth conversation without any outside details or other characters involved.

The camera angles are appropriate and the backgrounds are easy to identify and associate with in terms of common places. Some shots where the characters are speaking are a little too close, as they are speaking directly to the camera and not to the other character. But overall, the camera work is good and realistically captures the facial expressions and gestures of the characters. The location is a grocery store parking lot. The background music adds to the comical scenes in the film and the absurdity of the conversation. Most of the time the music is playful as the characters go back and forth, but it increases in a tense scene, adding to the dramatic tone as well. The grocery worker is played by Natalie Mangiante and the customer is played by Venee Lotusfire Call-Ferrer. Both actors show a range of emotions - frustration, sadness, stress, anger and doubt. Even with the masks on, their eyes, tone of voice and gestures are express what the story is in a way that you can't miss. There is one scene where the grocery worker is so frustrated with the customer that, in a made-up scenario, she takes the bag and uses it to suffocate her. This does not occur during the film and is a brief sequence, but it may be something that parents would not be comfortable with or that children could imitate. My favorite part is when the film addresses the audience and in a message thanks the essential workers. During these difficult times, these workers are driving the country and they are risking their lives to protect others and help others. Some of them may have many necessities, fears, and situations at home, but they are constantly working to do the best that they can do to help those who are in a more severe condition or who are trying to keep the "normal" during these times. The grocery worker is played by Natalie Mangiante, who has acted in at least eight other films and has written and directed some of those same films. The customer is played by Venee Lotusfire Call-Ferrer.

The director explains that this is a film about a personal story that happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The message emphasizes how simple it is to follow guidelines in order to stay safe and minimize the risk of being infected with covid and how bad people look when they do not do this and put their feelings over the safety of others.

I give What About My Bag? 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film shows a current and relevant situation that is occurring every day in the United States and across the globe. By watching this short film, many families will see how easy is to just follow guidelines and how bad it looks when we put our emotions or our pride before thinking about the impact that our decisions may cause in others around us. Reviewed by David O, KIDS FIRST! Juror
Runtime: 8 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 12-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO

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INSIDE OUT (2021) - FILMSTOFESTIVALS DISTRIBUTION AGENCY
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 14-18
Description - Dami�n suffers bullying from his classmates because of their suspicion about his sexual orientation. Unable to defend himself, he tries to overcome this situation alone, as Agust�n and his band increase their hostility. Bullying scales and continues through social network, when bullies post a video of Dami�n and Sebasti�n -who has a crush on Dami�n-, after forcing them to kiss each other. While watching the video, Dami�n suddenly recognizes himself through other eyes, as he stares Sebastian �s picture of him. Dami�n regrets having rejected Sebasti�n, and finally realizes that the only way out, is through. After suffering a new and more humiliating attack, Dami�n decides to face his fears and let his feelings flow.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - In just 13 minutes, the film portrays the colliding of the four worlds all teens must navigate in the age of technology: school, family, themselves and social media. Viewers will feel every emotion, and anyone who has been marginalized in their lives will resonate strongly.

The film follows teenage Damian as he navigates adolescence when his classmates bully him and another boy for being gay. Viewers witness his struggles to maintain his studies and interact with family as he wrestles with the complexities of not conforming to hetero-normative standards of the world he grows up in.

The story is modern and very relatable for this day and age when teenagers are no longer just dealing with school and home life, but the world of the Internet. Although the world is becoming increasingly progressive, Inside Out shows how difficult it still is for those who identify as LGBTQ+.

The camera work enhances the emotions in a way that feels natural but very clear. Viewers are with Damian, not watching him. The reversing, use of focus and handheld camera style makes the events feel close and personal, rather than something being presented to an audience. The costumes are simple and not distracting. The school uniforms are true to the time period and setting. Like costumes, the sets and locations are simple and not distracting. They are relatable and do the job. The background music is well embedded in a way that maintains the ambience and does not break the fourth wall. Damian and the bully's acting stand out as poignantly emotional in ways that will touch the audience. The camera work also plays a significant role in Inside Out. The film has a rough, "handmade" feeling, but is professional enough to be taken seriously. The director tells a story, and tells it well. It does not feel like a beginner film and executes the message thoroughly in a short period of time.

Inside Out is a heavy but hopeful film for any teenagers that may struggle with their identity in adolescence.

I give Inside Out 5 out of 5 stars and recommend if for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. It is a modern story that needs to be told. It would play in any festival that focuses on LGBTQ+ or educational films. Reviewed by Joy P., KIDS FIRST! Juror.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - In just 13 minutes, the film portrays the colliding of the four worlds all teens must navigate in the age of technology: school, family, themselves and social media. Viewers will feel every emotion, and anyone who has been marginalized in their lives will resonate strongly.

The film follows teenage Damian as he navigates adolescence when his classmates bully him and another boy for being gay. Viewers witness his struggles to maintain his studies and interact with family as he wrestles with the complexities of not conforming to hetero-normative standards of the world he grows up in.

The story is modern and very relatable for this day and age when teenagers are no longer just dealing with school and home life, but the world of the Internet. Although the world is becoming increasingly progressive, Inside Out shows how difficult it still is for those who identify as LGBTQ+.

The camera work enhances the emotions in a way that feels natural but very clear. Viewers are with Damian, not watching him. The reversing, use of focus and handheld camera style makes the events feel close and personal, rather than something being presented to an audience. The costumes are simple and not distracting. The school uniforms are true to the time period and setting. Like costumes, the sets and locations are simple and not distracting. They are relatable and do the job. The background music is well embedded in a way that maintains the ambience and does not break the fourth wall. Damian and the bully's acting stand out as poignantly emotional in ways that will touch the audience. The camera work also plays a significant role in Inside Out. The film has a rough, "handmade" feeling, but is professional enough to be taken seriously. The director tells a story, and tells it well. It does not feel like a beginner film and executes the message thoroughly in a short period of time.

Inside Out is a heavy but hopeful film for any teenagers that may struggle with their identity in adolescence.

I give Inside Out 5 out of 5 stars and recommend if for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. It is a modern story that needs to be told. It would play in any festival that focuses on LGBTQ+ or educational films. Reviewed by Joy P., KIDS FIRST! Juror.
Runtime: 13 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 14-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO

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DOG YEARS - TIM CLAGUE
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 3-7
Description - A preschool live action TV series for 3-6 year olds. Dash the dog tells stories from his time growing up with Anna and her family.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Dogs Years offers the most adorable way to teach valuable lessons! A television series from the UK, it is designed for preschool children and is filled with so many colors, music, good acting, and valuable lessons. The simplicity of the storylines combined with the comical tone and having everything narrated from the point-of-view of a dog (with a British accent) makes the series appealing for children.

The story follows the dog Dash and his many adventures. With each adventure, he learns more about his family and himself, and teaches those lessons to his adorable puppies.

Each episode starts with a general picture of what the storyline will focus on. As the episode continues, the story develops and Dash has to face a problem and find a way to solve it. The stories are simple enough for a child to focus on and to understand and they teach relevant life lessons such as asking for help, how unfamiliar things are not necessarily bad and how to inform an adult when a stranger approaches us. These lessons teach little children some social skills and ways to deal with difficult situations. The only shortcoming I have for this series is that it lacks an opening. Each episode just sort of jump starts with a situation and doesn't quite have anything to lead the viewer into it.

The camera work is great; there are two main types of shots in each episode. The first is from Dash's perspective, so we see what he sees. The others are general shots from someone else's perspective. Combined, these make the episodes entertaining and show how Dash's view may not actually be entirely accurate. All the episodes take place at Dash's home, in various rooms, with interactions with various family members.

The music is simple, joyful and playful. It adds to the comic tone of the episodes. The main character is Dash. At the beginning of each episode, Dash talks to his two puppies. As the story starts, we meet other characters in Dash's family. Dad is played by Doug Cockle, Mom by Claudia Barba and the little Anna is played by Esther Toward. Each family member brings their unique set of skills and character to the story. Tim Clague, who voices Dash makes him sound innocent and simple enough for little children to understand. My favorite scenes are definitely the ones with the puppies. At the beginning of each episode, the puppies are usually featured. Also, I like the variety of lessons that are presented at the end of each episode, and even I can use some of the advice as a college student.

Each episode has a unique message ranging from personal lessons to skills that will be helpful not only at home, but in other social settings. My only problem with this series is that each episode just sort of jump starts with a situation and doesn't quite have anything to lead the viewer into it. This series was offered to us to review and evaluate as a collection of short 6 minute short films, but submitted as a 70 minute run time, which makes it a bit confusing. I think programmers would find it difficult to program in the way it was submitted. It is super cute, it just needs a bit of an introduction to the beginning and, if all the segments were to be played at a festival, would need a way to make them flow one into the other.

I give Dog Years 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 7, plus adults. Reviewed by David O. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Jurors
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Dogs Years offers the most adorable way to teach valuable lessons! A television series from the UK, it is designed for preschool children and is filled with so many colors, music, good acting, and valuable lessons. The simplicity of the storylines combined with the comical tone and having everything narrated from the point-of-view of a dog (with a British accent) makes the series appealing for children.

The story follows the dog Dash and his many adventures. With each adventure, he learns more about his family and himself, and teaches those lessons to his adorable puppies.

Each episode starts with a general picture of what the storyline will focus on. As the episode continues, the story develops and Dash has to face a problem and find a way to solve it. The stories are simple enough for a child to focus on and to understand and they teach relevant life lessons such as asking for help, how unfamiliar things are not necessarily bad and how to inform an adult when a stranger approaches us. These lessons teach little children some social skills and ways to deal with difficult situations. The only shortcoming I have for this series is that it lacks an opening. Each episode just sort of jump starts with a situation and doesn't quite have anything to lead the viewer into it.

The camera work is great; there are two main types of shots in each episode. The first is from Dash's perspective, so we see what he sees. The others are general shots from someone else's perspective. Combined, these make the episodes entertaining and show how Dash's view may not actually be entirely accurate. All the episodes take place at Dash's home, in various rooms, with interactions with various family members.

The music is simple, joyful and playful. It adds to the comic tone of the episodes. The main character is Dash. At the beginning of each episode, Dash talks to his two puppies. As the story starts, we meet other characters in Dash's family. Dad is played by Doug Cockle, Mom by Claudia Barba and the little Anna is played by Esther Toward. Each family member brings their unique set of skills and character to the story. Tim Clague, who voices Dash makes him sound innocent and simple enough for little children to understand. My favorite scenes are definitely the ones with the puppies. At the beginning of each episode, the puppies are usually featured. Also, I like the variety of lessons that are presented at the end of each episode, and even I can use some of the advice as a college student.

Each episode has a unique message ranging from personal lessons to skills that will be helpful not only at home, but in other social settings. My only problem with this series is that each episode just sort of jump starts with a situation and doesn't quite have anything to lead the viewer into it. This series was offered to us to review and evaluate as a collection of short 6 minute short films, but submitted as a 70 minute run time, which makes it a bit confusing. I think programmers would find it difficult to program in the way it was submitted. It is super cute, it just needs a bit of an introduction to the beginning and, if all the segments were to be played at a festival, would need a way to make them flow one into the other.

I give Dog Years 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 7, plus adults. Reviewed by David O. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Jurors
Runtime: 6 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 3-7 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO

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ZAMZOOM'S ANIMAL ADVENTURES - ROTATING PLANET PRODUCTIONS
Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5-11
Description - Join Zamzoom - an enthusiastic space animal - and his sharp-as-a-whistle partner, Orbie, on an uproarious intergalactic expedition to Earth to discover the planet's most strange and extraordinary creatures. Zamzoom's examinations of the wildlife on planet Earth can make for some silly misconceptions. Thankfully, his partner Orbie is always nearby to set him straight - tapping into Earth's database, Orbie knows how to spit facts. She can be a little overprotective, but it's hard, after all, holding a whole planet's worth of information in her circuits. Together, our odd duo team provides comical debates and science in bite-sized pieces, perfect for kids! Each episode blends exciting 2D animation with real and spectacular wildlife footage.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - While well-intentioned, Environmental Video's content is only average and we do not find it inspiring enough to accept it for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. Whereas it may be useful for an audience under age 5, the tips are pretty standard and the presentation here lacks professionalism. There is little new information being presented in the short film.

This short film covers small tips to incorporate into everyday life to help the environment. It covers the three basic points of environmental conservation very briefly.

The video is lacking in providing new information that would a youth audience would find interesting. It does not stand out as being contemporary or current. The presentation lacks pizzazz. The production values are quite average from the camera angles to the editing. The audio level is very low. I had to boost my speakers to their highest setting to listen to it and, even then, the audio level is too low. It seems to have been filmed in someone's home, which is okay, but the lighting is poor in many scenes. Going between black and white and color doesn't seem to make sense. There is little background music and the sound effects a bit distracting - they are at least twice as loud as the narrative, which hurts your ears. They do not blend well into the video. The narrator is reading from a script and looks down at it quite often as she is speaking. She is quite adorable but little is done to make her performance engaging. Although the film is short and sweet, and we admire the filmmaker's efforts, the quality is unsuitable to play on a big screen. Even the title of this film lacks appeal.

The film's message is about three practical tips to help the environment.

I give Environmental Video 1.5 out of 5 stars and do not recommend it to the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. The tips are outdated and the production quality is low. There are better resources and tips available and better production quality that should be strived for in a film festival entry. Reviewed by Joy P., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - While well-intentioned, Environmental Video's content is only average and we do not find it inspiring enough to accept it for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. Whereas it may be useful for an audience under age 5, the tips are pretty standard and the presentation here lacks professionalism. There is little new information being presented in the short film.

This short film covers small tips to incorporate into everyday life to help the environment. It covers the three basic points of environmental conservation very briefly.

The video is lacking in providing new information that would a youth audience would find interesting. It does not stand out as being contemporary or current. The presentation lacks pizzazz. The production values are quite average from the camera angles to the editing. The audio level is very low. I had to boost my speakers to their highest setting to listen to it and, even then, the audio level is too low. It seems to have been filmed in someone's home, which is okay, but the lighting is poor in many scenes. Going between black and white and color doesn't seem to make sense. There is little background music and the sound effects a bit distracting - they are at least twice as loud as the narrative, which hurts your ears. They do not blend well into the video. The narrator is reading from a script and looks down at it quite often as she is speaking. She is quite adorable but little is done to make her performance engaging. Although the film is short and sweet, and we admire the filmmaker's efforts, the quality is unsuitable to play on a big screen. Even the title of this film lacks appeal.

The film's message is about three practical tips to help the environment.

I give Environmental Video 1.5 out of 5 stars and do not recommend it to the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. The tips are outdated and the production quality is low. There are better resources and tips available and better production quality that should be strived for in a film festival entry. Reviewed by Juror #22.
Runtime: 4 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-11 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO

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WAMPUS - MOLLY E. SMITH
Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 5-12
Description - A young girl's imagination runs wild when her mother tells her of the family legend.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Wampus is a short visit in the magical world of a young girl. Without elaborate storytelling or an extended run time, Molly Smith explores the power of the young imagination and demonstrates just how boundless it can be. It is simple. yet whimsical, like childhood should be.

The storyline revolves around a young girl, fully immersed in a world of her own. After tea parties with her toys and stuffed animals, she plans a camping trip in her front yard. All is swell until she learns of the bobcat called Wampus, enough to spook her into spending the night indoors.

While the film captures the magic of imagination, the plot's structure waivers at time. The events are clear and the feelings attempting to be evoked are clear, but motives and conflict are unclear. The cinematography adds to the whimsicality of the film. It is dynamic in a way that does not feel over or under-whelming. The first scene in particular immediately tells the audience that they are about to watch a story of imagination. The simplicity of the sets are what make Wampus so endearing and reminiscent of childhood. From the warm interior lighting to the seemingly endless supply of stuffed toys, Wampus excels in this department. The sound of Wampus is one of its weaker areas, but only in the first scene. Here, the music does not feel complementary. On the other hand, when the young girl meets Wampus, the music complements the scene amazingly. The visual effects are what give this short film its magical essence. In the last scene, the distorted images and fast cuts evoke a sense of fear, thus enhancing the overall plot and the scene's contribution to the film. The two actors have great chemistry. Their mother-daughter relationship is believable and feels natural throughout. The performance that stands out the most is that of the young girl (Lily Jane Chachula) She is a natural and portrays every emotion clearly and confidently. Because folklore is not commonly told in the age of technology, I did not know about the Wampus. It is valuable to pass these tales down, especially in times when oral story telling is a dying art. The dynamic between mother and daughter was beautiful to watch. It does not feel forced and portrays a very healthy relationship. This is very valuable for any audience.

Wampus shows viewers that the untainted imagination has no boundaries. Note that the last scene might be scary to young viewers.

I give Wampus 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 5 to 12. Although it has some pacing problems and the plot is not particularly strong, the feelings Smith is able to communicate are valuable for children, especially in times like these. Oftentimes kids are not told the importance of imagination, but this film encourages that. Reminiscent of Alice In Wonderland, Wampus is a story that I feel would charm viewers at a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. Reviewed by Joy P., KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Wampus is a short visit in the magical world of a young girl. Without elaborate storytelling or an extended run time, Molly Smith explores the power of the young imagination and demonstrates just how boundless it can be. It is simple. yet whimsical, like childhood should be.

The storyline revolves around a young girl, fully immersed in a world of her own. After tea parties with her toys and stuffed animals, she plans a camping trip in her front yard. All is swell until she learns of the bobcat called Wampus, enough to spook her into spending the night indoors.

While the film captures the magic of imagination, the plot's structure waivers at time. The events are clear and the feelings attempting to be evoked are clear, but motives and conflict are unclear. The cinematography adds to the whimsicality of the film. It is dynamic in a way that does not feel over or under-whelming. The first scene in particular immediately tells the audience that they are about to watch a story of imagination. The simplicity of the sets are what make Wampus so endearing and reminiscent of childhood. From the warm interior lighting to the seemingly endless supply of stuffed toys, Wampus excels in this department. The sound of Wampus is one of its weaker areas, but only in the first scene. Here, the music does not feel complementary. On the other hand, when the young girl meets Wampus, the music complements the scene amazingly. The visual effects are what give this short film its magical essence. In the last scene, the distorted images and fast cuts evoke a sense of fear, thus enhancing the overall plot and the scene's contribution to the film. The two actors have great chemistry. Their mother-daughter relationship is believable and feels natural throughout. The performance that stands out the most is that of the young girl (Lily Jane Chachula) She is a natural and portrays every emotion clearly and confidently. Because folklore is not commonly told in the age of technology, I did not know about the Wampus. It is valuable to pass these tales down, especially in times when oral story telling is a dying art. The dynamic between mother and daughter was beautiful to watch. It does not feel forced and portrays a very healthy relationship. This is very valuable for any audience.

Wampus shows viewers that the untainted imagination has no boundaries. Note that the last scene might be scary to young viewers.

I give Wampus 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 5 to 12. Although it has some pacing problems and the plot is not particularly strong, the feelings Smith is able to communicate are valuable for children, especially in times like these. Oftentimes kids are not told the importance of imagination, but this film encourages that. Reminiscent of Alice In Wonderland, Wampus is a story that I feel would charm viewers at a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. Reviewed by Joy P., KIDS FIRST! Juror
Runtime: 4 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO

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FAIRY GODMOTHER'S APPRENTICE - LESLIE BLOOM
Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 9-15
Description - Henry Summers has more angst than the average teenager. He doesn't know his father, and his mother spent her entire life trying to save everyone but him, and now she's dead with nothing to show for it.

One thing might cheer him up, though: ruining his neighbor's Spring Break Restoration Project. Her name is Becca and yes, she's 10 years old. Okay, yes, that is eight years younger than him. But yes, she's a typical do-gooder, like his mother was, and it brings a smile to his face when her hopes are properly dashed.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - The Fairy Godmother's Apprentice is a film that mixes fantasy and twists to present a storyline in a creative and entertaining way. The production and acting in the film are very good and it seems like the overall series touches many themes that are relevant for children, teenagers and even adults. This entry is one episode of a series, so there are many elements that are unexplained and there are some situations that are introduced in this episode, but are never developed. The overall storyline is explained, but even then, there are many questions that are not answered in this episode. So, it does not stand along well.

Henry has a peculiar life. He lost his mom and has a lot of issues about her. He lives with his Nana and lacks social skills that enable him to relate to others, such as his neighbor, little Becca. Eventually, he discovers a family secret and he has to decide how to use it and how to grow as a person.

The storyline is interesting and is enhanced by many fantasy elements and twists. I would be concerned that that there are many parts of the story that lack background stories. This particular episode does not show us why Henry went to live with his Nana, why he has such a negative perspective of the world and why he does not like Becca, yet he babysits her. There are more things that are not explained. In this episode discovers his powers and yet, we never get to see what happens or what he does with them. This is part of a television series, so it makes sense that not everything is wrapped up in a tidy way and, it may just inspires kids to watch the rest of the series.

The camera work is very well done with lots of changes in perspective and capturing each location in great detail. The locations range from school settings, home, parks, streets and neighborhoods. All of them are colorful and well designed. I love the use of color in this film. There are scenes where the contrasts between colors really make the whole thing to stand out. The only memorable costume is when Nana uses her powers and reveals herself as Henry's fairy godmother. The visual effects enhance every time magic occurs with sparks, movement and magic sprinkles. The key characters are Henry, Becca and Henry's Nana, played by Teddy Van Ee, Lucia Ridao-Moore and Anita Sorel (in the same order). Henry and Becca stand out the most, at least in this episode, as the storyline revolves around them and their experiences. The actors all give believable performances. Teddy Van Ee captures even the little details and gestures that many adolescents do when they are frustrated or annoyed, and he does it in a way that it does not seem forced at all. The acting is great, and the storyline is very engaging, but I love the visual complements. There is a scene where Nana is helping two customers that love the color blue, and watching all those tones of blue is both fun and satisfyingly to look at.

The message of the overall series tries to show how dealing with our past can really open our future. There are situations that we experience that are unpleasant, but perhaps their purpose is to learn a lesson that will help others deal with a similar situation sometime in the future. Another recurrent theme of the film is the importance of family.

I give The Fairy Godmother's Apprentice 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 9 to 15, plus adults. While this film has great production and acting, keep in mind that it is one episode from a series. Is a very entertaining show about family and dealing with one's fears and past. Reviewed by David O., KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - The Fairy Godmother's Apprentice is a film that mixes fantasy and twists to present a storyline in a creative and entertaining way. The production and acting in the film are very good and it seems like the overall series touches many themes that are relevant for children, teenagers and even adults. This entry is one episode of a series, so there are many elements that are unexplained and there are some situations that are introduced in this episode, but are never developed. The overall storyline is explained, but even then, there are many questions that are not answered in this episode. So, it does not stand along well.

Henry has a peculiar life. He lost his mom and has a lot of issues about her. He lives with his Nana and lacks social skills that enable him to relate to others, such as his neighbor, little Becca. Eventually, he discovers a family secret and he has to decide how to use it and how to grow as a person.

The storyline is interesting and is enhanced by many fantasy elements and twists. I would be concerned that that there are many parts of the story that lack background stories. This particular episode does not show us why Henry went to live with his Nana, why he has such a negative perspective of the world and why he does not like Becca, yet he babysits her. There are more things that are not explained. In this episode discovers his powers and yet, we never get to see what happens or what he does with them. This is part of a television series, so it makes sense that not everything is wrapped up in a tidy way and, it may just inspires kids to watch the rest of the series.

The camera work is very well done with lots of changes in perspective and capturing each location in great detail. The locations range from school settings, home, parks, streets and neighborhoods. All of them are colorful and well designed. I love the use of color in this film. There are scenes where the contrasts between colors really make the whole thing to stand out. The only memorable costume is when Nana uses her powers and reveals herself as Henry's fairy godmother. The visual effects enhance every time magic occurs with sparks, movement and magic sprinkles. The key characters are Henry, Becca and Henry's Nana, played by Teddy Van Ee, Lucia Ridao-Moore and Anita Sorel (in the same order). Henry and Becca stand out the most, at least in this episode, as the storyline revolves around them and their experiences. The actors all give believable performances. Teddy Van Ee captures even the little details and gestures that many adolescents do when they are frustrated or annoyed, and he does it in a way that it does not seem forced at all. The acting is great, and the storyline is very engaging, but I love the visual complements. There is a scene where Nana is helping two customers that love the color blue, and watching all those tones of blue is both fun and satisfyingly to look at.

The message of the overall series tries to show how dealing with our past can really open our future. There are situations that we experience that are unpleasant, but perhaps their purpose is to learn a lesson that will help others deal with a similar situation sometime in the future. Another recurrent theme of the film is the importance of family.

I give The Fairy Godmother's Apprentice 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 9 to 15, plus adults. While this film has great production and acting, keep in mind that it is one episode from a series. Is a very entertaining show about family and dealing with one's fears and past. Reviewed by David O., KIDS FIRST! Juror
Runtime: 21 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 9-15 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO

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RECREATIONS COLLECTION - FLORENCE ROCHE
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-12
Description - Creation in action! A web series that offers a collection of video workshops: three artists explore their creative discipline and share it with children ... as well as adults! In each series of workshops, an artist, by doing, presents his or her approach. The works of art are accessible to all, and need no specialized equipment or prior learning.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I found ReCreations Collection very interesting and very sweet. It doesn't so much tell a story, but tells how to make a fun and exciting card for someone. You should know that the dialogue is in French with English subtitles.

This short film features a woman, Patsy Van Roost (also self-described as a fairy) making letters that spread joy.

The story is very interesting. It is really a documentary about a woman who spread love and joy by creating custom made letters for people. She is adorable and tells her story in an engaging, heartwarming and fascinating way.

The cinematography is well executed. One of my favorite shots is one where the letters are featured. The primary set is in Patsy's workshop where she fabricates her creations. We see a collection of paint brushes, fabrics, and all different types of materials she uses to create her magic. Every corner hides more little things that one might use in their magic making. The film's background music is fun and upbeat, with a slight jazz feeling to it. Patsy is definitely the star of this show and, as self-described as a fairy, I believe she is one. It appears that she brings joy to anyone in her universe. I have to praise the editor, because the movie is beautifully edited. The film taught me how to make a message for someone by cutting out big letters in fabric. My favorite part of the film is near the end, when Patsy shows the letter to her son.

I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. Reviewed by Sandrine A., KIDS FIRST! Juror
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I found ReCreations Collection very interesting and very sweet. It doesn't so much tell a story, but tells how to make a fun and exciting card for someone. You should know that the dialogue is in French with English subtitles.

This short film features a woman, Patsy Van Roost (also self-described as a fairy) making letters that spread joy.

The story is very interesting. It is really a documentary about a woman who spread love and joy by creating custom made letters for people. She is adorable and tells her story in an engaging, heartwarming and fascinating way.

The cinematography is well executed. One of my favorite shots is one where the letters are featured. The primary set is in Patsy's workshop where she fabricates her creations. We see a collection of paint brushes, fabrics, and all different types of materials she uses to create her magic. Every corner hides more little things that one might use in their magic making. The film's background music is fun and upbeat, with a slight jazz feeling to it. Patsy is definitely the star of this show and, as self-described as a fairy, I believe she is one. It appears that she brings joy to anyone in her universe. I have to praise the editor, because the movie is beautifully edited. The film taught me how to make a message for someone by cutting out big letters in fabric. My favorite part of the film is near the end, when Patsy shows the letter to her son.

I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. Reviewed by Sandrine A., KIDS FIRST! Juror
Runtime: 5 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO

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