KIDS FIRST! News

In the complex world we navigate today, teaching kids to be critical thinkers and savvy media consumers has never been more vital. At KIDS FIRST!, we’ve embraced this mission for 34 years, and our impact on youth and families is a legacy we cherish. Our alumni consistently tell us the profound difference KIDS FIRST! has made in their lives.

This year, despite the unexpected loss of two major government grants due to recent challenges in Washington, we’ve pivoted with purpose. We’re launching two exciting initiatives to create sustainable, ongoing revenue streams to support our essential KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program and the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.

A Win-Win for Schools and Future Leaders

We’ve established a groundbreaking partnership with a network of 5,000 Montessori schools nationwide. We’ll collaborate with them to host the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival at their campuses – serving as either a vibrant fundraising event for their school or a special bonus for their families. This is truly a win-win, offering schools a fantastic program while generating vital funds for KIDS FIRST!

With each participating school, we’ll recruit new members for our KIDS FIRST! Film Critic team. These young critics will provide their schoolmates with the latest film and media reviews, fostering media literacy from within their own communities.

Our Urgent Need: Doubling Your Impact

To kick start these powerful initiatives, we urgently need to raise $30,000 in the next 30 days. This is a deeply personal ask. Like many of you, I am profoundly concerned about the future of our country, of our world, and committed to efforts organizations that make a tangible difference.

Right now, your donation to KIDS FIRST! will be matched dollar-for-dollar through August 31st! This is a powerful opportunity to double your impact and fuel a movement that’s building a smarter, more discerning generation.

More Than a Program – It’s a Movement. KIDS FIRST! is about more than just film reviews; it’s about empowering young people. Our team of KIDS FIRST! Film Critics creates their own insightful reviews of the latest films, TV shows, and digital media. These reviews are shared with the public through our social media channels, website, and blogs. We’ve cultivated a vibrant community of young people who:

• Know how to sort disinformation & misinformation from credible information.
• Believe in the positive power of media to create positive change in the world.
• Are passionate about sharing their voices with an ever-growing audience.

If you’ve ever doubted the potential of young people, this program will make you feel incredibly optimistic about the leaders of tomorrow.

Please consider a donation of any amount – no amount is too small!

• Donate or learn more at: https://fundrazr.com/kidsfirst2025
• Follow our podcast: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-kids-first-coming-attractio-277638809
• Watch our reviews and interviews:
  • https://www.instagram.com/kidsfirstcoming_attractions
  • https://www.youtube.com/@KIDSFIRSTFilmCritics
  • https://www.tiktok.com/@kidsfirstmedia

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for your invaluable support. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

Ranny and the KIDS FIRST! Team

We have exciting news for you, our loyal follower! Now you can get all our KIDS FIRST! reviews in 3 minutes that you can listen to anytime, anywhere, and keep up on the latest kid-friendly entertainment news – reviews, interviews, behind the scenes insights.

Exclusive to you on our new KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions Podcast on IHeartMedia.

Subscribe here: https://iheart.com/podcast/277638809.

You can also listen to it on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46ib2cH

A special shout-out to KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Ashleigh Clyde and Tiana Sirmans for their invaluable contributions as hosts and for expertly navigating our quicker-than-usual deadlines. Please take a moment to check out the newest episodes and share the link with your friends and family!

You’ll notice a key difference from our past podcast: these are all short-form (3-4 minutes) – individual or group reviews of films, TV shows, digital media, and talent interviews. This streamlined approach aligns with current listening habits, ensuring that you get the most in the least amount of time.

So, when you want to know what to expect from the latest film / TV show / digital media releases geared for kids, just go to https://iheart.com/podcast/277638809 for a quick 3 minute insight into what’s new in the world of entertainment for kids and families.

When you want more details, go to our website: https://www.kidsfirst.org for full length reviews – in print and video.

In 2023, KIDS FIRST! began a partnership with Ukraine Matters to create an online film festival for children in Ukraine and for Ukrainian refugees. We are returning this September with a 2^nd edition, entitled “Love Changes Everything” that will focus on international short and feature films designed to uplift and inspire.

We have launched a fundraising campaign to support the festival and 50% of all proceeds will go directly to our Ukrainian partners. Your donation will help make this happen.

https://fundrazr.com/KIDSFIRST-Ukraine-FilmFestival

“Continuing our partnership with KIDS FIRST! for a second year is incredibly meaningful,” states Volodymyr Goshyly, President of Ukraine Matters. “After three years of war, Ukrainians are experiencing profound PTSD. These films, brimming with love and compassion, will offer vital inspiration and healing.”

“This collection is a testament to the resilience and hope we see in our friends in Ukraine,” says Nancy Kenney, VP of KIDS FIRST!

Ranny Levy, President, emphasizes, “We began our film festival partnership with Ukraine Matters two years ago  and are excited to expand this year to bring these powerful and supportive stories for their youth and families.”

Leading up to the festival, beginning August 1, KIDS FIRST! will present a series of interviews with program creators to discuss the films featured in the “Love Changes Everything” collection. These young and independent filmmakers (ages 9-65), come from all over the world and represent some of the best new works by emerging filmmakers.

Expanding the Reach of Meaningful Cinema

Beyond this collaboration, KIDS FIRST! invites non-profit organizations worldwide to co-host local festivals or individual film screenings of this curated film collection. Whether at established film festivals, children’s museums, schools, or libraries, KIDS FIRST! can offer your organization an opportunity to help support our friends in Ukraine.

Since 2020, KIDS FIRST! Film Festival has drawn thousands of cinephiles globally, showcasing the powerful work of independent and student filmmakers. KIDS FIRST! Film Festival is a project of the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media, a national non-profit (501-c-3) organization dedicated to promoting quality media for children since 1991.

https://fundrazr.com/KIDSFIRST-Ukraine-FilmFestival

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!

We need your help to reach our final goal of $55,000. KIDS FIRST! needs your support!

Your donation will directly support our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program, empowering young people to become the next generation of media leaders.

Inspiring Stories from Our Alumni

We’re thrilled to share the stories of three talented KIDS FIRST! alumni:

• Ryan Rivera: A former KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Ryan’s passion for film led him to Connecticut College, where he’s actively involved in award-winning film projects.
• Talia Jacnuk: Talia’s experience with KIDS FIRST! ignited her love for filmmaking. She’s currently pursuing her passion at USC and working on various media projects.
• Carlee Spagnolo: A recent KIDS FIRST! alumna, Carlee is studying Environmental Science and hopes to combine her love for film with her passion for environmental issues.

At KIDS FIRST!, we don’t just train young minds – we launch careers. We transform enthusiastic tweens and teens into media professionals – future journalists, YouTubers, influencers, and beyond.

But it’s more than just titles. We give them real-world experience through interviews with industry talent, both on and off-screen. From filmmakers to actors, they learn the ropes and prepare for their future, whether it’s in entertainment or not.

The skills they gain are invaluable: meeting deadlines, crafting clear communication, and captivating audiences online and in person. These are skills that benefit them in any field they choose.

We need your support!

Your contribution helps us continue this crucial work. We’re nearing our year-end goal, which unlocks matching donations from generous supporters.

Every contribution counts! Whether online, through PayPal, Venmo, or a mailed check, your generosity makes a difference. Donate now: https://fnd.us/kidsfirst?ref=sh_bCo1e4

Thank you for believing in the power of young voices. Wishing you a joyful fall and holiday season!

Sincerely,

Ranny and the KIDS FIRST! Team

@kidsfirstmedia

Ryan M. Invites you to support KIDS FIRST! Film Critics.

♬ original sound – Kidsfirstmedia – Kidsfirstmedia

The 12^th annual Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Initiated in 2012 by Henry Timms at the 92^nd Street Y in New York City and co-founded by the United Nations Foundation, Giving Tuesday was created as a simple idea: to encourage people to do good.

This year, more than ever, KIDS FIRST! needs your support!

For 33 years, KIDS FIRST! has been encouraging young people to do good – for themselves and for others. Since 1991, we have been teaching kids critical viewing skills and to sharing their film reviews with other kids and adults. Rather give young people a list of suitable programs considered safe for them, they learn to make their own thoughtful media choices. After all, “smart kids make smart consumers.” With your support, we can continue to empower young people to make informed choices. https://fundrazr.com/kidsfirstglobal

In 2011, we launched KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program and created an opportunity for tweens and teens to have their voices heard about their take on the latest films and TV shows being released. More than 400 kids have participated in this program and, not only have they have shared their reviews with millions of parents, teachers, grandparents, and children worldwide, they have developed their career skills while doing it. Our alumni has spoken up about how their experiences as a KIDS FIRST! reporter influenced their career moves. Here are comments from two of them:

1. There are SO many positive memories I have from KIDS FIRST! My first one is when I auditioned on the DreamWorks lot and the Trolls premiere was happening that day. Seeing Ranny explain the movie and television business and hearing the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics explain how this passion changed their lives made me feel inspired, empowered and made me feel like I could achieve my dreams. Audition day changed my life and made me realize KIDS FIRST! was the key for me to discover my confidence and my true potential. (Samantha Marcus)
2. My time at KIDS FIRST! was the most influential period of my life. I joined when I was 13 with a speech impediment and no experience in the film industry. Thankfully, Ranny Levy took me under her wing. From exciting private screenings to unforgettable red carpet events, KIDS FIRST! gave me opportunities that I could only dream of. I learned how to be a professional presenter and a conscientious writer. My education at KIDS FIRST! was intensive but never patronizing because KIDS FIRST! sees the limitless potential in children and pushes them to be the best they can be.  (Keefer Blakeslee)

As Giving Tuesday approaches, we invite you to help us “Do Good” and reach millions of parents and kids looking for guidance in their media selections. Thankfully our success is due to the generous donations from supporters like you who believe in KIDS FIRST!, the work we do, and the community we impact.

We set a goal of $55,000 for our end of year campaign and broke it into two parts; the first part was to raise $25,000, which we surpassed by $5,000. For part 2, we need to raise the last $25,000 and are asking for your support. Not just you personally, but help us spread the word to your friends and family. See if your employer makes matching gifts for donations that you make. Many do. No amount is too small or too big! If everyone that receives this newsletter made a $5 donation, that would be $225,000!

Your gifts to KIDS FIRST! make a difference. You help us change lives, engage youth in career-building activities, expand the awareness of cultural understanding, environmental responsibility and gender and racial equity.

With your support, we can continue to empower young people to make informed choices, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

Thank you for your partnership and support.

Sincerely,

The KIDS FIRST! Team