KIDS FIRST! Radio

This September, KIDS FIRST! and Ukraine Matters are launching the “Love Changes Everything” Film Festival, featuring international short and feature films designed to uplift and inspire. The festival will reach audiences through virtual and live events in Ukraine and for Ukrainian refugees worldwide.

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

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.

“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 in 2023 and are excited to expand this year to bring these powerful and supportive stories to global audiences.”

“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.”

Expanding the Reach of Meaningful Cinema

Beyond these collaborations, KIDS FIRST! Film Festival invites non-profit organizations worldwide to co-host local festivals or individual film screenings. Whether at established film festivals, children’s museums, schools, or libraries, KIDS FIRST! provides curated, youth and adult-juried films for impactful screenings.

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

Are you a kid who loves film, loves talking about film and loves to be on-camera? If so, we want you on our national KIDS FIRST! Film Critics team! This audition is open to those wishing to be join our national KIDS FIRST! Film Critics team. To audition, click on the link below to apply. Auditions are open tweens and teens, ages 9 to 16. There are three short steps to enter. There is no fee to participate in this program; there is a nominal fee to take one of our boot camps.

Go here to for more information: https://www.kidsfirst.org/become-a-juror/

Before applying, please familiarize yourself with our program by visiting our website https://www.kidsfirst.org/ where you can watch and read our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics’ reviews. Visit our “about us” page to read more about the organization. https://www.kidsfirst.org/about-us

Check out our latest reviews and interviews below.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critics is a great way for young people to get experience in the entertainment business and an inside look at how things work. If you envision yourself working in the entertainment industry in some way, then this offers amazing opportunities. Just take a look at what some of our KIDS FIRST! parents and reporters have to say about their participation:

“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. Under the tutelage of Ranny Levy, I learned how to be a professional presenter and a conscientious writer. My education at KIDS FIRST! was intensive but never patronizing because Ranny sees the limitless potential in children and pushes them to be the best they can be.” Keefer Carteen 

“I’m 23 years old, and in my 23 years of life, the best part about it was KIDS FIRST! For all the media industry professionals and potential benefactors, I want you to know that KIDS FIRST! changed my life. Everything I needed to know for high school, college, my first job – I learned through KIDS FIRST! One day I hope everyone around the world can know about KIDS FIRST! so that their lives can be positively impacted, just like mine was and always will be.” Samantha Marcus 

“We have been thrilled to have our son involved with KIDS FIRST! over the past three years. The organization has offered our child so many opportunities which include teaching him to critically think about a variety of media, teaching him to become a better writer, and giving him confidence in becoming a more effective communicator through his video reviews and film cast interviews.” Diane DiGravio

“I have learned so many important things from KIDS FIRST! The most important things are: learning a huge depth of industry knowledge, team work, accountability, how hard work pays off, commitment, time management, conversational skills, creative writing skills, peer reviewing skills, how to make friends via Zoom and how to take criticism in stride. It’s taught me how to learn and grow with each mistake I make.” Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic is focused on giving youth a voice in expressing their opinions about entertainment media and to allow them to positively influence the future of children’s entertainment. We currently have 65 reporters in 20 states in the US and 3 countries between the ages of 9 and 20. 

Questions: Email us at [email protected] or call 505.989.8076. We look forward to hearing from you.

After producing a weekly podcast since 2011, we are taking a little break while we restructure. Please be patience; we’ll be back before you know it.

Thanks, KIDS FIRST!

Join us as we interview Madison Skye Validum, the cast and crew of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Migration, and review the same films, plus Wonka, Miyasaki’s The Boy and the Heron, and The Color Purple. Hosted by Ashleigh C., joined with KIDS FIRST! Reporters Connor, Mikella, Avalynn, Tia, Hanadie, Alma, Hanadie, Kira, Kennedy, Tiana and Sydney. Before you spend your hard earned dollars on entertainment for your family, check out what our tween and teen reporters have to say.

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/148100/migration-percy-jackson-wonka-the-color-purple-miyasaki#

Listen in as we interview Adam Sandler, Bill Burr and more from Netflix’s Animated Musical Comedy, Leo; Juan Pablo Reyes, director of Disney Animation’s Wish; Tim Allen, Elizabeth Allen Dick from The Santa Clauses Season 2; plus review Wish, Leo, Trolls Band Together and The Santa Clauses, Season 2. Host Ashleigh C. is joined by KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Keila, Hanadie, Madeleine, Tina and Kira. Before you spend your hard earned dollars on family entertainment, listen to what real kids have to say about the latest film, TV and digital releases.

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/147773/juan-pablo-reyes-wish-adam-sandler-leo-the-santa-clauses

Listen in as we interview Lee Romaire about Five Nights at Freddy’s in Real Life, Tom Bancroft about Pencils vs Pixels, Eugenio Derbe about Radical, and Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim about Leo plus we review A Haunting in Venice and Stephen Curry: Underrated. Hosted by Kyla C. is joined by Daniel, Mikella, Sydney, Hanadie, Zoe and Madeleine. Before you spend your hard earned dollars at the movies or on digital entertainment, check out what our real kids have to say about it.

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/147498/leo-haunting-in-venice-stephen-curry-five-nights-at-fridays

Listen in while we interview Robert Chandler from The Canterville Ghost, Robert Rodriguez from Spy Kids: Armageddon and Jim Cooper, Jeff Dixon and Leo Riley from Curses. Also, we review Ghosters: Phantom Patrol, The Canterville Ghost, Spy Kids: Armageddon and Curses. Host Tiana S. is joined by KIDS FIRST! reporters Sydney, Gavin, Zoe, and Hanadie. Before you spend your hard earned dollars at the movies, be sure to listen to what our young reporters have to say about the latest films and digital releases.

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/147291/ghosters-phantom-patrol-the-canterville-ghost-spy-kids-curses

Listen in as we interview Charles Schultz and Raymond Persi about Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marci, Danny Wu about American: An Odyssey to 1947, Kate Larson about Into the Spotlight and Anthony Stacchi and Peilin Chou about The Monkey King. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tiana S. is joined by Eshaan, SaniyaRain and Mikella on today’s show. Before you spend your hard earned money on entertainment, be sure to check out what our real kids have to say about the newest films and digital releases. https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/146625/charles-schultz-raymond-persi-one-of-a-kind-marci-danny-wu-an

Listen in as we interview Jeff Celentano and Rickey Hill about the new biopic film The Hill, and review the films High School Musical: The Musical, Season 4, The hill, Golda, and America: An Odyssey to 1947. Before you spend your hard earned dollars on entertainment, check out what our real kids have to say about all the newest releases. https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/146455/jeff-celentano-rickey-hill-the-hill-golda-hsmtm-america-

Listen in as we review Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Blue Beetle, The Slumber Party, Gran Turismo, Operation Napolean, Dreamin’ Wild, Haunted Mansion and interview Óskar Thór Axelsson, director of Operation Napoleon. Host Ashleigh C. is joined by Eshaan, Carter, Sydney, Connor and Hanadie. Before you spend your hard earned dollars on entertainment – whether in the cinema or streaming – listen to what our KIDS FIRST! reporters have to say. Real reviews by real kids.