KIDS FIRST! News

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.

The KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program gives youth a powerful platform in entertainment journalism. Reporters attend press screenings, junkets, red carpets, and premieres nationwide—reviewing the latest film releases and interviewing top Hollywood talent. Their work reaches up to 7 million people weekly through the KIDS FIRST! website, social media, radio show, newsletter, and YouTube channel, as well as partner outlets including:

• Kidsville News
• Upscale Magazine
• SoCalCityKids
• GRAND Magazine

While reporter participation is voluntary, the real-world skills gained are invaluable. One parent recently shared:

“My daughter just got back from the FCCLA Nationals in Washington D.C., where she placed third in the nation for Interior Design. I truly believe KIDS FIRST! gave her the confidence, presenting skills, and interviewing experience to excel in the competition.”

Fall Boot Camp Openings Now Available

KIDS FIRST! is currently accepting applications for its Fall Boot Camp, which runs for six consecutive Saturdays from August 15 through September 19, 2026.

To audition and register online here.

Our New Film Critics Include: 

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.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The year 2025 has presented unprecedented financial challenges for KIDS FIRST! We began the year with optimism, having secured two federal grants designated to support our Film Festivals in Ukraine, Pakistan, and across the U.S.

Unfortunately, a subsequent change in administration halted the release of federal grants, a dramatic move that impacted countless nonprofits, including ours. This forced us to immediately pivot and seek sustainable, forward-looking sources of revenue.

We responded by doing what we do best: innovating for the future. We successfully formed new alliances to ensure our stability and growth:

• We partnered with a company serving 5,000+ Montessori schools nationwide to host KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals for their families. This generates funds for their schools as well as for us.
• We relaunched our podcast with iHeartMedia, creating the potential for an ongoing ad-sales revenue stream from existing content.
• We established a relationship with three AVOD channels to create a dedicated KIDS FIRST! section, splitting ad revenue 50/50 with the independent filmmakers we champion.
• We launched our ambitious year-end fundraising campaign early, starting in June.

You Are Our Success Story

Your incredible support has made the difference. We successfully reached our first goal of $15,000 at the end of August, and we are now at 98% of our second goal of $30,000!

Your donations are truly keeping KIDS FIRST! alive and well, allowing us to continue our vital work and share our unique insights into youth-focused media with hundreds of thousands of kids and families globally.

We now invite you to help us cross the finish line—and even surpass it!

Will you contribute today? Click the platform link below to make a gift in any form. If you are unable to contribute, please consider forwarding this message to someone who can help us secure our future.

Thank you for your trust and generosity. We send our love and best wishes for the holidays.

Ranny Levy, Founder and President, and the KIDS FIRST! Team

https://fundrazr.com/kidsfirst2025

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

Dear Friends,

For 33 years, KIDS FIRST! has been at the forefront of empowering young people to become critical media consumers. Our programs equip kids and their parents with the tools to discern age-appropriate content and make informed choices.

@kidsfirstmedia

Help support KIDS FIRST. Make a donation at https://fundrazr.com/kidsfirst global

♬ original sound – Kidsfirstmedia

Central to our mission is the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program. Our team of 65 dedicated young reporters, ages 9 to 22, immerse themselves in the world of film, attending press screenings, junkets, and red carpet events. They review the latest PG-13 and under-rated films, interview celebrities, and share their insights with over 5 million people through our website, social media, and partner publications.

Today, we are at a critical junction. To sustain and grow these impactful programs, we need your support. As we celebrate our 33rd anniversary, we’re asking for your help to fuel our mission. While our young reporters volunteer their time, our dedicated staff – responsible for training, coaching, editing, and promoting their work – requires financial support.

Another cornerstone of KIDS FIRST! is our Film Festival. We curate a collection of inspiring films that promote pro-social values, cultural understanding, environmental responsibility, and gender and racial equity. We have successfully co-hosted screenings with 30 venues across the USA and worldwide, including the Atlanta Children’s Film Festival, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Tallgrass Film Festival, Phoenix Film Festival, Peoria Film Festival plus partners in Ukraine, Pakistan, Uganda and India where we will reach over 500,000 youth and families in 2025.

Our goal is to cultivate a generation of informed and conscientious consumers. We measure our success not by awards, but by the positive impact we have on young lives. As we celebrate our 33rd Anniversary, we invite you to join us in shaping the future by making a donation of $33, $330, or $3300. https://fundrazr.com/kidsfirstglobal

Your donation supports:

• KIDS FIRST! Film Critics: Empowering young voices, reaching millions.
• KIDS FIRST! Film Festival: Inspiring change through film, reaching half a million.
• Education: Training the next generation of media critics and advocates.

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,

KIDS FIRST! Team

First of all, I want to thank those of you who have already donated to our campaign and I thought you might enjoy today’s alumni story and you might want to pass it on to a potential donor.  This fundraiser won’t last long and we do need your support. As much as we all love what we do here, we do need little love (and funds) to keep the operation in business.

Once a year we ask for support for our year-end campaign. And it’s that time once again. A little goes a long way here so please know that your contribution, no matter how small or how big, will be put to good use.  

Today I have another alumni story to share with you and believe you will find it as inspiring as I have. Harmony Makhfi was a KIDS FIRST! reporter 11 years ago and is now a happy neuroscientist. Here’s her story.

KIDS FIRST! changed my life for the better. I began my time there at the age of 14 and am now 25. I have nothing but great things to say about my time at KIDS FIRST! Through my experience, I developed skills that have truly propelled me in my career as an adult. Looking back at the content I produced (at what now seems like such a young age) makes me really proud. Analyzing media in the way we did really gave me a unique, mature perspective on media – and I am so proud to have that skill set. It has given me a lens to view the world with much more intention. Being a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic allowed me to explore my passion for movies, express my opinions, and engage with a vibrant community of film lovers. Through analyzing and reviewing films, I developed a deeper understanding of storytelling, cinematography, and the power of visual art. 

The structure of the organization is amazing…managing a bunch of kids is no easy feat! I had such an amazing time going to advanced screenings, writing and filming professional reviews, and practicing my public speaking on the recurring radio shows. For children, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of and it gives them a sort of education you can’t get anywhere else.

I’m so thankful for my time at KIDS FIRST! I continued to do reviews into my early college years while deciding to pursue cognitive science – a completely different world! My experience really stood out on my college applications, and later my resume. I am now a happy neuroscientist with a heart in film and an experience I get to brag about to this day. 

We are dedicated to training tweens and teens to act as entertainment professionals – as journalists, as YouTubers, as Influencers – but more importantly we allow them opportunities to express their opinions about entertainment and to learn and grow as young adults.

In order to continue doing the work we do, we need your support.  Our goal is to raise $50,000 in our year-end campaign, which allows us to continue doing the important work we do and will be matched by donations from other sources. We welcome  your donation of any amount — no amount is too small! If every one of our subscribers would donate $5 we would easily hit our goal tomorrow!

You can donate online here: https://fnd.us/kidsfirst?ref=sh_bCo1e4, through PayPal or Venmo, or simply mail a check to our address in my signature below.

Thank you so much for taking time to read this and for your support. Here’s wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

KIDS FIRST! Team