KIDS FIRST! Film Take Top Honors at Children’s International Film Festival UK
Friday, July 24th, 2026We love seeing our offici
al selections shine on the global stage! Huge congratulations to three incredible films from our lineup that recently took top honors at the Children’s International Film Festival in the UK.
🏆 The Other Planet (Belgium) – Winner: Sound Design of the Year
Supported by Ciné Schools & presented by BAFTA & Academy Award-winning sound designer Tarn Willers.
🏆 Grandpa’s Camera (Trinity Grammar School, Australia) – Winner: Shot of the Year
Supported by Access NFTS (the outreach programme for the National Film & Television School).
🏆 Manzar: A Portrait of an Artist (Scottish High International School, India) – Winner: International Film of the Year
Supported by Phase Worldwide & presented by international documentary filmmaker Jonathan Maguire.
A Powerful International Partnership 🌍
Through an exciting partnership with the Children’s International Film Festival, KIDS FIRST! curated a special showcase of 11 exceptional films made by student and independent youth filmmakers aged 16 and under from around the world.
Our Official Showcase Selections:
- Boots and Bandits by Indie June England (USA)
- Coyotes by Bryn Wright (USA)
- Grandpa’s Camera by Lang Qin (Australia)
- Navigating The Net by Dale Forder (UK)
- Manzar: A Portrait Of An Artist by Danicca Bajaj (India)
- Spotlight by Cheng Ying Liu (Taiwan)
- The Magic Spotlight by Indie June England (USA)
- Martin Krpan: The Mountain Hero by Izak Kovacic (Slovenia)
- The Magic Flashlight by Indie June England (USA)
- The Other Planet by Barbara della Faille (Belgium)
- The Psychic Arts Academy by Kayla Cache, Cohen Murphy, Dawn Glover, and Pamela Kaval (New Zealand)
“The partnership between the Children’s International Film Festival and KIDS FIRST! is a powerful example of how collaboration can open doors for young filmmakers around the world. By sharing outstanding international stories with school children across the UK, we are not only broadening cultural horizons but also demonstrating that creativity knows no borders.” George Young, Founder of The Children’s International Film Festival.Â
The event welcomed over 1,750 schoolchildren across iconic venues in Hastings, featuring screenings, workshops, and industry support from organizations like BAFTA, Into Film, and the National Film and Television School.
We couldn’t be prouder of these young storytellers! Stay tuned to see what our filmmakers accomplish next.
🤝 Work With Us: If your organization is interested in collaborating with KIDS FIRST! to screen a curated collection of indie and student films from filmmakers worldwide, drop us a line. We’d love to collaborate with you!
KIDS FIRST! is pleased to announce the addition of eight new reporters to its national KIDS FIRST! Film Critic program. Ranging in age from 9 to 15, these talented young journalists hail from across the U.S. and Canada, including Washington D.C., Houston, Miami, Arkansas, and Alberta.
Nylah A. (age 15) lives in the DC area and is the reigning Miss Fairfax American Junior Teenager. As a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, she enjoys expressing herself through writing, public speaking, pageantry, and movie reviews. Joining KIDS FIRST! has strengthened her confidence, on-camera presence, and film analysis skills. In her free time, Nylah enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies, running track, shopping, traveling, and studying law and criminal justice. Her favorite film, Bones and All, deeply moves her through its exploration of loneliness, identity, and acceptance. Her favorite actress is Taraji P. Henson, whom she admires for bringing strength, emotion, and authenticity to every role. One of Nylah’s proudest accomplishments is earning her pageant title and completing the KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Boot Camp. Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue a career in law while continuing to explore media, interviewing, and entertainment opportunities. She is excited to share thoughtful perspectives and keep growing through every experience.
Tanaysha F. (age 12) is a dancer, actress, model, and new KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. She joined KIDS FIRST! to try something new and learn more about the entertainment industry. In her free time, Tanaysha enjoys roller skating, swimming, playing sports like soccer and basketball, and making imaginative art. Extremely creative, she loves turning ordinary items into something special—even designing clothing and accessories out of printer paper and recycled materials! Her favorite movie is Five Nights at Freddy’s because of its suspense, characters, and storyline. One of Tanaysha’s greatest accomplishments is dancing. Expressing herself through movement comes naturally to her, and people often note that her entire body tells a story when she performs. While she isn’t completely sure about her future career yet, Tanaysha is interested in becoming an artist or exploring sports. One fun fact about Tanaysha is that she absolutely loves mozzarella sticks!
Taysha F. (age 13) is an actress, singer, dancer, and new KIDS FIRST! Film Critic from the DC area. She joined KIDS FIRST! because she loves movies and enjoys sharing her opinions with other kids and families. In her free time, Taysha enjoys singing, dancing, acting, writing songs, and spending time with her family. Her favorite movie is Annie because of its music, story, and Annie’s positive attitude—a role she has dreamed of playing since she was little. Her favorite actress is Ariana Grande, who inspired her to start singing. One of Taysha’s greatest accomplishments was being cast as the child lead in a feature film, alongside appearing in commercials for Kalahari Resorts. She is also proud of her growth as a dancer; through hard work, she transformed her early struggles into solo roles and now enjoys choreographing and mentoring others. In the future, Taysha hopes to become a successful singer, actress, and director who inspires others to pursue their dreams.
Anais G. (age 12) lives in South Texas. She loves learning, having fun, and spending quality time with the people she cares about most. An eager learner who tries her best every day, Anais keeps busy with school while exploring creative hobbies like drawing, crafting, writing stories, reading, and listening to music. In her free time, she enjoys playing games, riding her bike, going outside, and making lasting memories with family and friends. She strongly believes in the power of respect, honesty, and positivity. Looking ahead, Anais is focused on exploring new talents, setting personal goals, and making a positive impact on those around her. She hopes to continue building her confidence, working hard, and inspiring others to be kind, curious, and true to themselves while enjoying every step of her journey.
Bailey G. (age 11) lives in the DC area and has a twin sister. She joined KIDS FIRST! because she wants to meet celebrities and gain more familiarity with the entertainment industry. She also thoroughly enjoys researching films, their casts, character backgrounds, and behind-the-scenes stories. Outside of the film biz, Bailey loves to sing, act, and write. She stays busy auditioning for different roles and crafting her own stories. Her favorite film is the original Descendants movie because she loves exploring what happens to the classic Disney princesses and villains, as well as learning who their children are today. Her favorite actress is Jenna Ortega, whom she admires for her immense talent. Believe it or not, Bailey’s proudest moment was winning 3rd place at the County Science STEM Fair. However, her true passion lies on the stage—she has loved performing in several plays and dreams of one day becoming a professional actress, singer, and author.
Miral G. (age 12) is from Miami, Florida. She wanted to join the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Team because she loves being in front of the camera, staying up to date with the latest movies, and meeting her favorite actors. In her free time, Miral enjoys crocheting, swimming, and participating in Girl Scouts. One of her favorite films is The Parent Trap, which she loves for its story about separated twins reuniting at summer camp. Her favorite actress is Miranda Cosgrove, whom she admires for her work in iCarly—and because they share the exact same birthday! She also looks up to KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Abigail L. for her energetic, charismatic camera presence and clear delivery. Miral’s greatest accomplishment recently was being selected for 7th-grade Algebra 1. She is excited to challenge herself in math, earn a spot in the National Junior Honor Society, and get a head start on college. When she grows up, Miral wants to become a lawyer so she can help others and impart justice.
Kaylee H. (Age 13) Hailing from Arkansas, Kaylee H. joined the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics team to gain deeper insight and hands-on experience in the film industry—an opportunity she considers her proudest achievement. Academically driven, Kaylee takes great pride in earning her place in advanced classes. When she isn’t studying or reviewing films, she stays active through basketball, volleyball, track, and her church youth group. Kaylee loves expressing her creativity through art, music, video editing, and contributing to her school’s yearbook, though spending quality time with family and friends remains a top priority. Her favorite movies include The Breadwinner and 13 Going on 30 for their balance of heart, humor, and exceptional performances. She also admires actor Walker Scobell for his sharp comedic timing and ability to bring characters to life. Looking ahead, Kaylee hopes to turn her passion into a lifelong career in the entertainment industry.
Nora Jane U., is a nine-year-old aspiring film critic from Alberta, Canada. Known to her family by the nickname “Monkey Man James,” Nora lives with her younger sister, Anna (6), and their lovable Bernese Mountain Dog, Maggie. Nora joined the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics team because she loves sharing her honest opinions and helping others discover great movies. When she isn’t watching films, she enjoys arts and crafts, reading, drawing, and family movie nights. Her favorite movie is Incredibles 2 for its mystery and exciting plot twists. She also admires Jenna Ortega’s performance in Wednesday and loves tuning into KIDS FIRST! podcasts to hear reviews from fellow young critics. One of Nora’s proudest accomplishments is performing in theatre productions that combine singing and acting. Looking to the future, she hopes to become either a lawyer or an actress. She also loves attending big parties and special events where she can dance and celebrate with family and friends.
What are the best movies and TV shows for kids and families of 2025? While the year started slowly in cinemas, streamers quickly raised the bar. Kicking off the year were major home releases like Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (Netflix) and StuGo (Disney+). Theaters quickly followed with family-friendly hits like Autumn and the Black Jaguar and Universal’s Dog Man.
We’re excited to share updates on our year-end fundraising campaign. In August, we set a goal of raising $55,000, and thanks to your generous support, we’ve already reached $37,736 – which is 69% of our goal!
