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N CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT Series: DVD AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - Summer is here! Molang and Piu Piu are ready to make the most of it. From deep-sea diving and discovering underwater wonders, to meeting new friends and travelling in an RV, our two friends will live a summer bursting with fun, surprises and friendship. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - COMING SOON KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I like Summer Fun with Molang because the characters are super funny and the animation is the cutest thing ever. I also love all the stories in each of the six episodes on this DVD. I don't like that the characters don't talk and only make noises. Sometimes that can get a little annoying, but younger kids will probably love it. Rather than dialogue, the animation includes little pop-up bubbles that show what the characters are thinking. You can also tell what they are thinking by their expressions and the tone of the sounds they make. This DVD is about a bunny named Molang and a duck named Piu Piu who have a lot of fun and go on many adventures together. In one episode, Molang and Piu Piu go on a vacation to Hawaii. They meet friends on the way, but one of them gets stuck and when they try to help them, they get stuck on the island too. Luckily they work together to get back to Hawaii, but you'll have to watch it to see what they do. Another adventure has to do with a whale. At first everyone is so scared of it, but then they want to help the whale get back to the ocean. Check out the episode called "The Rescue" to see what happens. I love the settings of all the episodes because they are mostly the ocean and the sand. I'm not familiar with that because there is only a lake and not an ocean where I live. Lake Superior is beautiful, but I love when I get to hang out on the beach in Los Angeles, California. The animation looks realistic and reminds me of having fun on the coast. My favorite part is when the characters have a hula dance in Hawaii because it's funny and cute. All of the episodes have their own little messages, but overall the message of this DVD is that if you work together you can get things done quicker and easier. I know my dance group performs far better when we are working together instead of dancing as a group of individuals. I give Summer Fun with Molang 4 out of 5 years and recommend this DVD for ages 3 to 9. This DVD is available now, so look for it. By Cadence G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 I love this DVD, Summer Fun with Molang. It has such adorable animation. Summer is here. A bunny and a chick drive around to find a little fun together and are very cute. The anthropomorphic characters seem to be enjoying summer more than anyone! The bunny, Molang and chick, Piu Piu are the main characters. There are six episodes on this DVD experiencing summer adventure together. In first episode, Molang and Piu-Piu go underneath the water together to face the sea monster, even though everyone is afraid of it. Even during their scary adventure, they find ways to have fun and share good times together. In another episode, they are together at the fair. Molang sees a unicorn on a shelf and really wants to have one. Molang tries several different games but fails to win. Piu Piu doesn't hesitate to help Molang as a best friend. However, Piu-Piu also fails in all game. Piu Piu doesn't stop there. Piu Piu came up with a brilliant idea. It makes Molang smile. I love Piu Piu's brilliant idea and it makes me smile, too. Director Marie-Caroline Villand really delivers a super cute animated show. The anthropomorphic bunny and chick do everything together. However, even though they act like humans, their speaking is not like humans. Don't worry! You will find ways to understand them while watching this DVD. They go snorkeling underneath the ocean, tubing around an island, build a sand statue of friendship and drive a RV together. In each episode, the adorable bunny and small friend face new adventure with laugher and joy. It seems like their friendship gets stronger and stronger every second. The message of this animation is, "Friends are always there for each other." I give Summer Fun with Molang 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Adults will enjoy it as well. This DVD is available now so look for it! Reviewed by Alexis J., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 6.99 Media: DVD ISBN # ASINB0863TQ3RJ |
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KEN KOBRE Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - Honeybees don't like to be disturbed. When someone approaches a hive...European honeybees... send out around 20 guard bees. By comparison... African bees send out HUNDREDS of guard bees... and these bees are known to chase their victims for a quarter of a mile. This angry response explains why stings from African bees have killed more than a thousand people in recent years. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the past, Pygmies found a bee colony and burn it killing all the bees. They used this method to get the honey while protecting themselves against the ferocious bees. Recently a group of Pygmies along with members of the Bantu tribe have learned to capture a wild queen bee and raise her in a specially built box. Now the pygmies no longer have to burn out the hive to harvest the honey. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Pygmies Tame Wild African Bees tells about a small village that burns bees to harvest their honey. One day a company arrives at the village to teach the villagers how to harvest honey without hurting bees. They learn that you can just put them in a box, spray them with smoke to calm them down, and take out the honey without hurting the bees. This short film is very appealing because the topic is unique. I have never seen one about harvesting or catching bees. It is very cool to watch the bees and learn how they make honey. I like that it stays on topic and doesn't wander. There are cool camera angles where we see the queen bee and worker bees making the honey. I like the village scenes because it seems very authentic. It has high speed, classical music at the beginning, which enhances the action. The narration is very professional; it reminds me of something I would watch on National Geographic or Discovery Channel. I also like that the spoken word of the villagers is repeated in English by the narrator. The film emphasizes how important and essential bees are to the planet, and how it documents the villagers learning how to harvest the honey without burning the hives. I give this short film 5 out of 5 star and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. I think it makes an excellent KIDS FIRST! Film Festival title, especially for those that have a focus on the environment and conservation. Reviewed by Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. This short film is very appealing because the topic is unique. I have never seen one about harvesting or catching bees. It is very cool to watch the bees and learn how they make honey. I like that it stays on topic and doesn't wander. There are cool camera angles where we see the queen bee and worker bees making the honey. I like the village scenes because it seems very authentic. It has high speed, classical music at the beginning, which enhances the action. The narration is very professional; it reminds me of something I would watch on National Geographic or Discovery Channel. I also like that the spoken word of the villagers is repeated in English by the narrator. The film emphasizes how important and essential bees are to the planet, and how it documents the villagers learning how to harvest the honey without burning the hives. I give this short film 5 out of 5 star and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. I think it makes an excellent KIDS FIRST! Film Festival title, especially for those that have a focus on the environment and conservation. Reviewed by Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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ANNA ANTONOVA Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 10-16 Topic - Family Description - After finding a legend in a book about a Queen with untold treasures, two boys decide to go on a journey into a Magical World. On there way they are meeting new friends, overcoming a lot of obstacles to find out what are the most precious treasures in all of the Land. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This film is an original fairy tale with a unique storyline that includes magic, friendship, wisdom and kindness. It also offers young children an opportunity to learn some facts. This short film is about two boys, who are best friends, and each one finds objects leading them to see the Queen. One boy, Jake, finds a book or journal and the other, Cody finds a key. They decide to go in an adventure to meet with the Queen who hides treasures under the rocks. I loved the two young boys. They are very realistic and charming. Their acting isn't the most professional, but that is part of their charm. The scenes are beautiful; the camera shots are very good; and the sound is very clear. All the characters they meet along the way are dressed like characters from a fairy tale. The scenery is quite lovely and green. The houses are like cabins or country houses. The music is appealing and the special effects are very good. The yellow orbs are very magical and the locket turns into a FaceTime-like device. The adult actors are very good. This film has a few wisdom facts that are fun to learn such as - the apple is a symbol of wisdom and that is why teachers are symbolized with an apple. I didn't know that and learned it watching this film. My favorite part is when the one boy meets the Queen and she tells them that he already has the treasures. This film delivers the message that sometimes we already have inside us what we are looking for in others and we don't know it. It does show kids doing risky things such as when the boys leave the house without the adults knowing as they take off, by themselves, to find the Queen. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It would be very suitable for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. Reviewed by Ethan P. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and KIDS FIRST! Adult Reviewer KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This film is an original fairy tale with a unique storyline that includes magic, friendship, wisdom and kindness. It also offers young children an opportunity to learn some facts. This short film is about two boys, who are best friends, and each one finds objects leading them to see the Queen. One boy, Jake, finds a book or journal and the other, Cody finds a key. They decide to go in an adventure to meet with the Queen who hides treasures under the rocks. I loved the two young boys. They are very realistic and charming. Their acting isn't the most professional, but that is part of their charm. The scenes are beautiful; the camera shots are very good; and the sound is very clear. All the characters they meet along the way are dressed like characters from a fairy tale. The scenery is quite lovely and green. The houses are like cabins or country houses. The music is appealing and the special effects are very good. The yellow orbs are very magical and the locket turns into a FaceTime-like device. The adult actors are very good. This film has a few wisdom facts that are fun to learn such as - the apple is a symbol of wisdom and that is why teachers are symbolized with an apple. I didn't know that and learned it watching this film. My favorite part is when the one boy meets the Queen and she tells them that he already has the treasures. This film delivers the message that sometimes we already have inside us what we are looking for in others and we don't know it. It does show kids doing risky things such as when the boys leave the house without the adults knowing as they take off, by themselves, to find the Queen. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It would be very suitable for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. Reviewed by Ethan P. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and KIDS FIRST! Adult Reviewer Runtime: 20 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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STEPHAN LEEPER Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5-18 Topic - Family Description - Line Drawing follows the imagination of a young boy as a simple line, drawn on the floor of his bedroom, transports us into a world of creative exploration. The film itself consists of a single charcoal line drawing, recorded, erased, altered, and then recorded again. Viewed in sequence, the multiple recordings of this single drawing transport the viewer from one world into the next with surprising ease. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Fun, short, recommended. Watch it. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5-18, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Fun, short, recommended. Watch it. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5-18, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. Runtime: 1 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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CALEB PHIPPS Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 4-12 Topic - Family Description - Little Image-Bearers is a children's show designed for children ages 2-10. Each episode introduces a unique item to explore, a simple puppet pretend story, and a fun "try it yourself" project, all pointing towards a biblical concept discussed at the end. In this episode we explore the truth of what sin means. We play a game shooting rubber bands at a target. We go visit an archer friend. In puppet pretend Bobo has a new ball he wants to throw around (but at what?). KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I enjoyed Little-Image Bearers: Aiming for the Mark. It has a good message which is clear throughout the story and reinforced many times. I also enjoyed the fun archery theme; it a clever way to illustrate how we need targets in our life. It's a combination of life action and puppetry, which is fun for the younger crowd. You might want to know that it does have a Christian message, which is emphasized at the end. This episode teaches us about having targets or goals in life. The host plays a game shooting rubber bands at a target and then visits an archer friend who teaches Caleb how to shoot and more. This story is easy to follow and holds your interest. The camera work is well done, as is the audio. I particularly enjoyed the puppets and the transitions between the puppet world and the real world are fun and enhance the story. The film begins in a room in the host's home. When we venture into the puppet world, the background is of a house exterior and trees. This background is rather dark and uninspired. Then, we move to the archery range which is outdoors. Caleb Phillips is not only the writer and director; he also stars in the film as its host. Caleb has a pleasant personality; he talks very slowly and deliberately. It's easy to understand him so, between his presentation and the script; this makes its point in a way that young children can understand. My favorite part of the film is when it goes into a world of puppets. The message of this short film is that you want to have targets in life because they keep you on track and give you goals to look forward to. It reminded me that, especially now in these crazy times, we need to have things to look forward to and take time to better ourselves. It is important for you to know that there is a religious message at the end that is Christian. Caleb reads from the Bible and paraphrases the Biblical quote in words that emphasize the message of this film. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 4 to 12. Reviewed by Allison B, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. This episode teaches us about having targets or goals in life. The host plays a game shooting rubber bands at a target and then visits an archer friend who teaches Caleb how to shoot and more. This story is easy to follow and holds your interest. The camera work is well done, as is the audio. I particularly enjoyed the puppets and the transitions between the puppet world and the real world are fun and enhance the story. The film begins in a room in the host's home. When we venture into the puppet world, the background is of a house exterior and trees. This background is rather dark and uninspired. Then, we move to the archery range which is outdoors. Caleb Phillips is not only the writer and director; he also stars in the film as its host. Caleb has a pleasant personality; he talks very slowly and deliberately. It's easy to understand him so, between his presentation and the script; this makes its point in a way that young children can understand. My favorite part of the film is when it goes into a world of puppets. The message of this short film is that you want to have targets in life because they keep you on track and give you goals to look forward to. It reminded me that, especially now in these crazy times, we need to have things to look forward to and take time to better ourselves. It is important for you to know that there is a religious message at the end that is Christian. Caleb reads from the Bible and paraphrases the Biblical quote in words that emphasize the message of this film. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 4 to 12. Reviewed by Allison B, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 4-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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N CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT Series: DVD, AGES 8 - 15 Topic - Family Description - Bus, do your stuff! Field trips with Ms. Frizzle are wilder than ever, into space, over to the Galapagos Islands even a plunge into the depths of the Sun itself. And along the way, the kids we know and love bring their science investigations into the 21st century still taking chances, making mistakes and getting messy! Climb aboard for a field trip you will never forget. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - The Magic School Bus Rides Again! Love this reboot of the magical series I grew up with. In our household Miss Frizzle can do no wrong as she makes learning complicated science lessons easily understandable and fun. I was worried that our family's all-time favorite learning series would be compromised in some way, but I'm happy to share that I can't wait to watch all the new episodes. The Magic School Bus Rides Again starts with a new Miss Frizzle and a new school year in science class. Fortunately, we learn that Miss Frizzle is the younger sister of the original Miss Frizzle who is now Professor Frizzle, as she has been busy getting her Ph.D. and continues to be voiced by the incredible Lily Tomlin. Like classmate Arnold, I was nervous about accepting the new Miss Frizzle, but Kate McKinnon adds her voice and personality to her role as Miss Fiona Frizzle and we soon accept her as our new teacher. I say our because as a viewer you are pulled into the lessons being taught in each episode. All of the original characters return in this series except for Phoebe who has moved and we are joined by a new classmate, Jyoti. The Blast Off! DVD contains four field trips and you will enjoy the new high-tech school bus and other updated gadgets in the new series which bring it into the 21st century. The animation is updated by animator Matthew DaSilva; you still recognize the characters and classroom, but it has a more modern feel and integrates well with the story. You just have to watch these episodes to see the other minor updates. If you're new to the series, jump on the bus! The Magic School Bus Rides Again is such a fun way to learn, while being massively entertained. Each episode explores a science topic and the magic of the series is that it can take you forward or backward in time, place or size and alters your appearance in an effort to experience life as the subject you are studying. The message of this series is to learn by taking chances and making mistakes and that is still as true today as when the original series aired. Kids learn through exploring the world around them and seeing how everything is interconnected. Miss Frizzle not only teaches us science but life lessons as well! I rate this DVD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 16 and, of course, adults will like it too as our family watched this incredible series together. This compilation is available now on Digital or DVD from NCircle Entertainment. Reviewed by Selene W, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12 I was absolutely wowed with The Magic School Bus Rides Again Blast Off! This adventurous DVD collection kept me entertained, laughing and wanting more. You will ride along with crazy Ms. Frizzle and her lovable class on the adventure of a lifetime. 3...2...1 BLAST OFF! The Magic School Bus Rides Again Blast Off is a collection of four episodes: Frizzle of the Future, Space Mission: Selfie, Ready, Set, Fail! and Making Magic. Each episode has a new, exciting field trip to watch and enjoy. In this series you will travel from space to the Galapagos Islands while learning lessons about failure, teamwork, getting messy and having fun while doing it all! The kids and teacher you know and love are back and better than ever, so hop on for an experience you'll never forget! While watching this DVD, many details stuck out to me. To start, the theme song is sung by Lin-Manuel Miranda! Not to mention that Ms. Frizzle is voiced by Kate McKinnon. Talk about some serious star power. On the topic of Kate McKinnon, she makes a great Ms. Frizzle, as she gives the character the craziness and yet, calm attitude that makes her really come alive. She isn't the only voice actor that sticks out to me. Miles KV, as Arnold, conveys realistic emotion through his character by only using his voice. Even when listening, you can tell he is worried about Ms. Frizzle and her shenanigans. The animation in this show has a very interesting touch. While the character and objects remain cartoonish, the backgrounds look magnificently real, especially when the glass goes to space. The message of this series is: if at first you don't succeed, try again. The kids learn this through trying to take the perfect space selfie, to getting a magical orb that seems to hold all of life's answers. While doing these things, they figure out that failure can be a good thing, because you can learn from mistakes. They also learn that with good teamwork and a positive mindset, anything is possible. I give The Magic School Bus Rides Again Blast Off! 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 7 to 14. This series can now be found on DVD and Digital. By Allison Buck, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13 Let me take on you on a field trip because today we are learning about the new children's DVD The Magic School Bus Rides Again Blast Off! This new DVD brings back the characters we all know and love and doesn't fail to bring back that hilarious, but educational feeling we get from these fifth graders and their wacky teacher! This DVD doesn't just deliver a flying school bus and a catchy theme song; it also delivers hilarious dialogue and creative adventures. The Magic School Bus Rides Again Blast Off! follows the same group of students and teachers as the original 90s show The Magic School Bus. Once again, it captures the adventures that Ms. Frizzle (Kate McKinnon) takes her fifth grade class on. This DVD includes four wild adventurous episodes, including going into space and repairing near-by satellites, and flying over the Galapagos Islands. As a fan of the original show, I was skeptical at first because remakes can sadly sometimes diminish the love for the original. The new show is a breath of fresh air and leaves you wanting more of these wild field trips. Kate McKinnon is the best possible actress for the role of Ms. Frizzle because of her overall humor and energy. What a perfect fit! This show is educational and provides belly-laughing humor without sounding forced. Many morals are also provided as it teaches children about the importance of teamwork and friendship. Along the way, this show teaches children that mistakes are okay; the best thing about mistakes is that you can learn from them. This DVD goes above and beyond the stars just like Ms. Frizzle and her class do and provides an educational, yet fun-loving show that all children can enjoy. I give The Magic School Bus Rides Again Blast Off! 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 8. It's available on DVD or Digital now so look for it. By Jude Adler, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-15 Suggested Retail Price: $ 7.99 Media: DVD |
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LIONSGATE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Series: FEATURE, AGES 8-15 Topic - Family Description - A group of kids on holiday in Cornwall meet a magical creature on the beach with the power to grant wishes. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Inspired by E. Nesbit's 1902 serialized novel called Five Children and It, the movie Four Kids and It is a wonderful fantasy film for all ages that brings the story alive. The CGI seems so real that I believed the Psammead (the creature in the film played by Michael Caine) was actually alive and right there with the actors on the set. Full of adventure, Four Kids and It is about two families. Each family has two kids and all four kids want their birth parents to get back together. When the two split families meet up for a vacation, the kids find out their parents are dating each other and they absolutely freak out. While being forced to play with each other and to get to know one another, they meet a magical sand creature called a Psammead who tells them that he can grant each of them wishes, but only one a day. Also, the wishes expire at sunset. Throughout this movie the four kids get to know each other better, become much closer and start to bond more like a real family. There is a man named Tristan Trent (Russell Brand), who lives in a mansion on the island that they all go to for their vacation. For generations, Tristan's family were hunters of rare and unique living creatures on Earth. Tristan and his ancestors have been trying to find the legendary Psammead for decades. When the kids come to the island, he knows that he could use them to track the creature down. If he can lure out and capture the creature, he can finally add it to his family's collection of trophies...and hopefully get in a wish or two as well! The scenes with the kids each coming up with their own magical wishes and living them out for the day are fun. It also made me wonder what I would wish for if I only had a day to experience a wish. The message of this film is to be careful what you wish for, but also that sometimes change happens and no matter how bad it seems, that it can offer up new opportunities and maybe create something better than you ever had before. I give Four Kids and It 5 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it for ages 6 to 18, and adults will love it too! I know my parents sure did. The movie will be available on Digital, Blu-Ray, DVD and on-demand, as well as major digital platforms like Amazon Prime, Vudo and others, on June 30, 2020, from Lionsgate Film Reviewed by Lindalee R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12 Directed by British filmmaker Andy De Emmony, Four Kids and It is inspired by the novel Four Children and It by Jaqueline Wilson, which is based in the 1902 book Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit. This new story is modern and follows two families: the divorced parents are dating and the four kids--two from each parent--share a vacation together in Cornwall, England. The kids don't get along at the beginning, and they have to spend time together and accept their parents' relationship. At the beach, they discover a strange creature that emerges from the sand and grant wishes. One wish per day will be conceded to each kid each day. Despite things not necessarily turning out the way they expect, after each adventure, they discover the importance of bonding and family. Four Kids and It combines fantasy, magic and drama. The plot is entertaining and there are so many beautiful moments but some things, doesn't work that well. Russell Brand plays Tristan Trent, an eccentric owner of a mansion who wishes more wealth and lives by the beach where the kids find the creature. That part of the storyline doesn't flow that well, and the way it intertwines with the main storyline is not that engaging. The talented Brand doesn't shine as usual and his character is not taken fully advantage of in those scenes. Ashley Aufderheide and Teddie-Rose Malleson-Allen carry the film. They play the two older daughters and their characters are pivotal to the story. Their acting is strong and is one of the greatest assets of the film. As the voice of the creature we have Michael Caine, and the actor gives the creature, Psammead, the tone of elegance and wisdom that characterizes him. I found this creature adorable and the facial expressions mimic the actor's resemblance. The CGI is very well implemented, and all the scenes with Psammead are my favorite scenes. The landscapes and cinematography are beautiful and the story is overall entertaining with magic, flying scenes and humor. The message of the film is simple: be careful what you wish for, but, at the same time, show us that our deepest wishes may be granted within our real and simple life in the joy of family and friendship. This is a great family movie that little kids and parents can enjoy together. I give Four Kids and It 4 out of 5 starts and recommend it to kids 4 to 14. Four Kids and It opens on all digital platforms on June 30, 2020. Reviewed by Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-15 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm Buy Here (from LIONSGATE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT) |
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NEPTUNE PRESS LLC/ D.G. STERN Series: E-BOOK, AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - Even Francis the Firehouse Mouse needs a vacation every once in a while. He decides to visit his brother, Freddie, who lives on a farm far from the bustling city. There are many chores that have to be done each day: caring for the animals, working in the fields, picking vegetables for the market, and planting new crops to harvest later in the season. It is really different from fighting fires. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Francis at the Farm is a 51-page children's e-book that narrates the story of a mouse that lives in the city and what happens when he decides to visit his brother who lives on a farm. The book touches on the different aspects of living in a city and living on a farm and teaches children about where some common food comes from and explores two different environments - the city and the farm. It positively portrays the farm as a healthy place to live or rest and farming as a hard-working, but very rewarding way of living. The book also does a good job explaining where some things, such as milk, come from and the processes they go through in order to reach their final destination. I believe children will really like this e-book since children are often attracted to farms, animals, tractors and firefighters, which are all included in this book. The story flows very well and makes use of lots of detail throughout it. I enjoyed how it begins by explaining that the city mouse needs a break and considers the country as a great option for vacationing. I like how the book talks about where certain foods come from, either at the farm or in the city. I believe this helps children identify with their own lives, whether they live in the city or in a rural area. The characters Francis and Freddie are nice for the most part, hard-working, gentle and generous, except when the city mouse eats the pie alone without sharing it with his brother. The vocabulary used throughout the book could be new for the target age. Words such as "exhausting" or "pasteurized" enrich the vocabulary of young children, especially when they are well demonstrated, which they are here. I also like the collages between real images, objects and designs such as the picture of the train station where Francis arrives. I was not particularly attracted to the appearance of the mice. To me, they look more like otters than mice. Also, I believe the tough look of the firefighter mouse is a bit harsh for a young audience. The look of the farm mouse is very stereotypical, but not in a bad way. The visual quality of the book is quite appealing, aside from the appearances of the mice. The images directly related to the story are clear and easily to identify. The cover is clear, colorful and grabs the attention due to its farm elements. This book teaches children about the world around them as well as some of the good values one should have and practice. It has great educational content, wonderful collages of real pictures of objects and designs, great vocabulary and stimulates family reading due to its high-level vocabulary. Based on the vocabulary used throughout the book, I recommend it for ages 8 to 12. For example, words such as "baffled" or "accustomed" would need some explanation to a younger audience. For this reason, I recommend children younger than 10 read this book with the assistance of an adult. Reviewed by Carolina S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Reviewer KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 9.95 Media: Book |
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NETFLIX Series: FEATURE, AGES 10-18 Topic - Family Description - After failing to find success on Broadway, April returns to her hometown and reluctantly is recruited to train a misfit group of young dancers for a big competition. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Feel the Beat is the first feel good movie of the summer! It's a heartwarming light comedy about starting over, life choices, community, ambition and the importance of working together. All in under two hours of entertainment! Feel the Beat starts when we see April (Sofia Carson) on her way to a Broadway dance audition where the choices she makes impact her future in an unexpected way. We feel her ambition as well as rejection and heartbreak. April leaves her life in New York City to return home to New Hope, Wisconsin. As she tries to hide in her hometown, April is pulled into the local community once again by her old dance instructor Miss Barb (Donna Lynne Champlin) who brings much light and laughter into the movie through her life coaching. My favorite character is April; Sofia Carson is magical in this role. I love watching her dance throughout this movie as well how she expresses the emotion and humor of her character. My favorite scenes are at the National Dance Finals, but I don't want to spoil the story by disclosing why. Suffice it to say that there is a lot of gentle comedy during the various dance competition scenes throughout the film and the supporting cast of dancers and their parents really add to the comedy and story. April's love interest Nick (Wolfgang Novogratz) is sweet and supportive in his role and together they have great chemistry without embarrassing younger viewers. Dance is an important character in this movie and Kevin Wilson and Hailee Payne, the choreographers, create some fun scenes in the various dance competitions. Costumes, under the supervision of Carol Wong, add to the depth of story as we see the New Hope Dance Team progress from competition to competition in skill, attire and confidence. The message of this film is that your imperfections not only make you unique, but spectacular - and what a message that is. The movie also shows the importance of loyalty and commitment as we see April learn and grow throughout her journey. I rate Feel the Beat 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18, and adults will enjoy it as well. This movie is on Netflix starting June 19, 2020. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 12 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 6-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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NEPTUNE PRESS LLC/ D.G. STERN Series: EBOOK, AGES 7-15 Topic - Family Description - A beautiful sailboat suddenly appears at a local ship yard. Upton, his "human" father, Hank, together with Watson, Upton's feline assistant, are asked to find the vessel's owner. By the way, Upton is a Bichon Frise (that's "BEE-shon free-ZEY"), a little white dog, with uncanny canine investigative skills. Their efforts are interrupted by the appearance of a Navy admiral, who has a very curious interest in the sloop "Sweet Pea" and her builder, August Mayer, a brilliant, but reclusive scientist. The mystery is intensified because the boat appears to be brand new, but almost 100 years old at the same time. Join Upton, Watson and the rest of the Charles family as they search for the answers in Time Tale. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I like the e-book Upton Charles-Dog Detective Time Tale because it is very interesting and full of knowledge. I like how the narrator is a dog named Upton Charles, who is also the main character. I also like how easy it is to read this book and that you can either read or listen to it. This book is about a Bichon Frise dog named Upton, his loyal assistant cat Watson and their owners The Charles family - Mom, Dad and twins Veronica and Alex. Upton and his family discover an old sailboat at the local shipyard. The father, Mr. Hank, and a friend named KJ try to find out who made the sailboat. A Navy Seal Admiral named Bill says he has an interest in the boat named Sweet Pea. They find out that the boat is over 100 years old, but still haven't found the person who made it. Upton and Watson team up to find the person who built the boat. D. G. Stern is the author of the award-winning Upton Charles - Dog Detective series for younger readers as well as other children's books. He has also written four adult mysteries including Hot Tea & Cold Case, There's Always Tomorrow, Stabbing Along the Straightaway and Chaos at The Concourse, as well as numerous screenplays. Ginger Marks is the illustrator and Neptune Press is the publisher. I like how the text's font is a combination of Comic Sans MS font and the Georgia font. The book doesn't have that many pictures, but the few pictures it has are hand drawn looking pictures of the main idea in each chapter. This e-book has 102 pages and 22 chapters. The moral of this story is "don't judge a book by its cover." Hank, Upton, Watson, KJ and Bill are mistaken in who they think is the person that made Sweet Pea and, through their detective work, they figure out who the actual builder is. I give Upton Charles - Dog Detective Time Tale 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 7 to 18 plus adults. This e-book was released June 1, 2020, so hurry up and look for it! Reviewed by Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 I was thoroughly engrossed while reading Upton Charles-Dog Detective Time Tale. This book had me invested in the plot throughout the whole story! While reading this tale you experience mystery, comedy and fun along with our hero, detective Upton Charles. Upton Charles-Dog Detective Time Tale is a mystery told from the perspective of a three-year-old Bichon Frise pup. The mystery revolves around a curious boat that was brought down to the old boatyard where Upton's human works with no sign of who made it or where it came from. Things get crazy when a Navy Admiral arrives and tells a story about the possible origin of the boat, but it doesn't seem so real as much as science fiction. The message of this story is that little things can make all the difference when working on something. If Upton, his dad, the twins, KJ and the Navy Admiral (Bill) hadn't all worked together and followed the clues, they wouldn't have solved the mystery. If they hadn't paid attention to the little clues and listened to each other, they definitely wouldn't have solved the mystery. In this tale, there are many great examples of descriptive writing such as when Upton describes the boat cabin - "The forward portion of the cabin forms a small v-shaped space in which anchors, ropes, and sails are stored. The sides of the cabin are lined with cabinets. A small sink is on the left as you enter the cabin, and a cooking stove is on the right." This type of writing makes it easy and paints a picture in your mind. Speaking of pictures, I especially enjoyed the illustrations throughout the book. The Illustrator, Ginger Marks, made them cartoonish, yet detailed. The only problem in the whole story is when the author, D.G. Stern, mentions Upton wanting to eat chocolate, "Chocolate chip cookies sound good to me." Dogs can't have chocolate. It is very bad for them, especially small dogs where, even a small amount of chocolate, could make them sick or possibly kill them. I give Upton Charles-Dog Detective Time Tale 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 5 to 12. This book is available now, so look for it. Reviewed by Allison Buck, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 7-15 Suggested Retail Price: $ 7.99 Media: Book |
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KEN FEINBERG Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 8 TO 18 Topic - Family Description - In the Democratic Republic of Congo, hundreds of young polio victims with malformed legs, unable to walk upright, are destined not only to crawl or be carried, but are often shunned by their own families. "Walk Walk Walk," a new short documentary by Ken Kobre ("Deadline Every Second") showcases the revolutionary work of Dr. Jay Nash and his non-profit organization Stand Proud, which provides free plaster casts, braces, crutches, physical therapy, and medical assistance to a generation of formerly crippled kids. In emotionally wrenching interviews and scenes, we witness the transformation of determined teens who can now not only stand tall and walk proud for the first time, but also gleefully dance and enthusiastically participate in athletic endeavors that once seemed impossibly beyond their dreams. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - The short documentary Walk, Walk, Walk, by Ken Kobre, takes us on a journey to The Democratic Republic of Congo, to show viewers the heart-wrenching obstacles which hundreds of young polio victims are faced with. Dr. Jay Nash and his "Stand Proud" non-profit organization are able to make significant changes in the lives of these children. The transformation of these young victims is sure to make your heart happy! Sometimes we forgot how blessed our lives are until we are made aware of the struggles of others around the globe. This documentary is a true eye opener and a must see for all. It made me realize that my worst day isn't so bad when I see the struggles of children my own age who live in a country, and under conditions, much different from my own. This documentary showcases the lives of children my own age and gives viewers an up close look at the real struggles some of them face. Many kids around the world are fortunate enough to live within developed countries where medical needs are easily afforded and a priority. I can't say that I like the content of this documentary, as it was quite emotional for me to watch. However I really like that this documentary made me so aware of the hardships faced by kids (and adults) living in third world countries. Although heart wrenching, the film's cinematography is perfect in highlighting the pain and suffering of those living with disabling diseases. A variety of children affected by polio and other diseases are interviewed and we get a great sense of what they are feeling. We can see through their emotion and, by reading their words, learn how they experience such hardships as their inability to walk. What moved me the most was seeing their transformation, through the help of Dr. Nash and his Stand Proud Organization. I was excited to see the changes in emotion when kids are able to walk for the first time! The children in the Congo and other under developed countries have a very different culture compared to ours and their clothing reflects that. The kids wear uniforms to school and community people dress in their best clothes for their time of worship, which I found to be typical of their culture. We get right into their homes, schools, community centers and other places in this documentary. I have been in third world countries as I have done mission work in Central America, and the sets and locations are familiar to what I witnessed while doing my mission work. What I found to be very interesting, and somewhat shocking, is how primitive the "factory" and tools are where braces, crutches and other devices are made. The materials are basic, yet they are so effective! When viewing this documentary, we obviously need to give credit to all key players in the filmmaking process. Those that stand out the most are the people who allowed the filmmakers into their lives to witness their struggles and their fight for existence. I don't see these kids as actors, but rather - I see them as heroes with such bravery. The message I took away from this film is that we should be very appreciative of our own lives and what we have, because our worst day is someone else's very best day! Walk, Walk, Walk brings awareness to the struggles of others and shows how the needs of others can be addressed by a small group of caring and committed people. It doesn't always take high levels of technology to change the lives of others - it simply takes a will to care and some creativity. Because I have not been exposed to the harsh reality of polio, I had no idea how it affects people. We are fortunate enough in the United States to be vaccinated against these diseases. I was unaware that it even still exists elsewhere. I actually cried while watching how much these kids suffer, both physically and emotionally, and when I saw their transformation due to the Stand Proud Organization, it made my heart so happy. My favorite scene is where one young boy wearing leg braces is picked helped by his classmate and put on a higher platform in his schoolyard. It appears as if they are walking from the schoolyard into the entrance of the school. Small acts of kindness go a long way. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 5 to 18, plus adults. This is an excellent family film that lends itself to some great family discussion following its viewing. Pain and suffering occur globally and, unless there is awareness, changes can't be made. Reviewed by Dominic D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sometimes we forgot how blessed our lives are until we are made aware of the struggles of others around the globe. This documentary is a true eye opener and a must see for all. It made me realize that my worst day isn't so bad when I see the struggles of children my own age who live in a country, and under conditions, much different from my own. This documentary showcases the lives of children my own age and gives viewers an up close look at the real struggles some of them face. Many kids around the world are fortunate enough to live within developed countries where medical needs are easily afforded and a priority. I can't say that I like the content of this documentary, as it was quite emotional for me to watch. However I really like that this documentary made me so aware of the hardships faced by kids (and adults) living in third world countries. Although heart wrenching, the film's cinematography is perfect in highlighting the pain and suffering of those living with disabling diseases. A variety of children affected by polio and other diseases are interviewed and we get a great sense of what they are feeling. We can see through their emotion and, by reading their words, learn how they experience such hardships as their inability to walk. What moved me the most was seeing their transformation, through the help of Dr. Nash and his Stand Proud Organization. I was excited to see the changes in emotion when kids are able to walk for the first time! The children in the Congo and other under developed countries have a very different culture compared to ours and their clothing reflects that. The kids wear uniforms to school and community people dress in their best clothes for their time of worship, which I found to be typical of their culture. We get right into their homes, schools, community centers and other places in this documentary. I have been in third world countries as I have done mission work in Central America, and the sets and locations are familiar to what I witnessed while doing my mission work. What I found to be very interesting, and somewhat shocking, is how primitive the "factory" and tools are where braces, crutches and other devices are made. The materials are basic, yet they are so effective! When viewing this documentary, we obviously need to give credit to all key players in the filmmaking process. Those that stand out the most are the people who allowed the filmmakers into their lives to witness their struggles and their fight for existence. I don't see these kids as actors, but rather - I see them as heroes with such bravery. The message I took away from this film is that we should be very appreciative of our own lives and what we have, because our worst day is someone else's very best day! Walk, Walk, Walk brings awareness to the struggles of others and shows how the needs of others can be addressed by a small group of caring and committed people. It doesn't always take high levels of technology to change the lives of others - it simply takes a will to care and some creativity. Because I have not been exposed to the harsh reality of polio, I had no idea how it affects people. We are fortunate enough in the United States to be vaccinated against these diseases. I was unaware that it even still exists elsewhere. I actually cried while watching how much these kids suffer, both physically and emotionally, and when I saw their transformation due to the Stand Proud Organization, it made my heart so happy. My favorite scene is where one young boy wearing leg braces is picked helped by his classmate and put on a higher platform in his schoolyard. It appears as if they are walking from the schoolyard into the entrance of the school. Small acts of kindness go a long way. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 5 to 18, plus adults. This is an excellent family film that lends itself to some great family discussion following its viewing. Pain and suffering occur globally and, unless there is awareness, changes can't be made. Reviewed by Dominic D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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LINDSAY LEE Series: FOREIGN ANIMATED SHORT, AGES 4-11 Topic - Family Description - Celebrity scientist Dr. Tiger Mercer is visiting Miikshi's home laboratory. But is Miikshi's hero all she seems? KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I like Miikshi the Meek Sheep in Seedy Business with its adorable characters (puppets) and perfect voice talent. The set is very creative and detailed. It is also has an entertaining storyline. The storyline follows Miikshi, a meek sheep, that is also a scientist. She is visited by her hero Dr. Tiger Mercer, but she isn't impressed (or so we think). When Miikshi leaves for just a minute, we find out Dr. Tiger Mercer isn't the hero that Miikshi thought her to be. I liked that it was very precise, and holds your attention. It ends with a cliff-hanger, leaving you wanting more. The costumes are adorable! Miikshi has the cutest lab coat and Daniel has a darling little shirt on; even the other characters in the background have fun outfits. I like that they look like man-made. It's very fitting. My favorite character is Danial the Spaniel. He has the cutest voice. The sound effects make a big impact. Imagine a machine breaking down with no sound effects (pretty sad, right?). Luckily, there is some. The special lighting effects are very believable (in a puppet-like way). I really believed that the subway train station's power was out or that Miikshi's creations were shutting down. Lindsay Lee, who plays Miikshi, is also the writer and producer. I could see this being on the big screen. It is short, so it would make a good interstitial or be part of a collection of shorts at a festival. The messages are don't be greedy and good always triumphs over evil. You should know that it does show people doing risky things that kids might imitate. It's not kids doing the risky things (stealing); it is the grow-up puppets. Other than that, there isn't anything else. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 11, as well as adults. It's a great family movie. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic I liked that it was very precise, and holds your attention. It ends with a cliff-hanger, leaving you wanting more. The costumes are adorable! Miikshi has the cutest lab coat and Daniel has a darling little shirt on; even the other characters in the background have fun outfits. I like that they look like man-made. It's very fitting. My favorite character is Danial the Spaniel. He has the cutest voice. The sound effects make a big impact. Imagine a machine breaking down with no sound effects (pretty sad, right?). Luckily, there is some. The special lighting effects are very believable (in a puppet-like way). I really believed that the subway train station's power was out or that Miikshi's creations were shutting down. Lindsay Lee, who plays Miikshi, is also the writer and producer. I could see this being on the big screen. It is short, so it would make a good interstitial or be part of a collection of shorts at a festival. The messages are don't be greedy and good always triumphs over evil. You should know that it does show people doing risky things that kids might imitate. It's not kids doing the risky things (stealing); it is the grow-up puppets. Other than that, there isn't anything else. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 11, as well as adults. It's a great family movie. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 4-11 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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LINDSAY LEE Series: FOREIGN ANIMATED SHORT, AGES 4-11 Topic - Family Description - Sportsball fever has hit Mibukiville! JJ Basset holds a city-wide contest to name the new sportsball team ... but who will win? KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I found Miikshi the Meek Sheep in Sportsball very enjoyable! The cute puppet characters are charming as can be and teach good lessons, while keeping the audience in suspense about the naming contest. Kids will relate to characters and like them even more because they're animals! Who wouldn't love a chick journalist and a scientist sheep? The story is about the new sportsball team, which is all the talk in Mibukiville! JJ Basset, the team's owner holds a citywide contest to name the new sportsball team...but who will win? First of all, I love the puppets. They are very well constructed, each with its distinct look, personality and voice. I like the storyline with its lessons about independence and supporting your ideas, even when others don't. The storyline is certainly predictable, which isn't an issue with younger kids. The production values are quite good. The costumes are spot on, the locations quite believable and the sound effects are very realistic. A musical element that stands out is when Miikshi submits her idea to the naming contest. The music sounds crazy and a bit angry, which represents how Miikshi feels. The script is quite clever and something kids will easily relate to. Instead of giving Chickelyna all theses layers, she just states that her opinion is better, like most little kids do. Her feelings aren't overly complex, and kids from all over the world can relate to the struggle of another kid saying, "My idea is right and yours is wrong." The voice talent is quite good and easy to hear. There's some fun humor that may fall over the heads of the target audience such as when Chickelyna comes out of the recording studio early and when questioned about it says, "Oh we just put on the tape of generic news we have for whenever I want to leave early." My favorite part is when Miikshi decides to submit her own idea for the naming contest. She shows how, even if people discourage us, we can still be heard and give our ideas. The message of this film is about standing up for yourself so your ideas can be heard. Sometimes not everyone will listen and your ideas might not always be chosen, but don't be afraid to make yourself heard. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 4 to 11. Reviewed by Allison B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror The story is about the new sportsball team, which is all the talk in Mibukiville! JJ Basset, the team's owner holds a citywide contest to name the new sportsball team...but who will win? First of all, I love the puppets. They are very well constructed, each with its distinct look, personality and voice. I like the storyline with its lessons about independence and supporting your ideas, even when others don't. The storyline is certainly predictable, which isn't an issue with younger kids. The production values are quite good. The costumes are spot on, the locations quite believable and the sound effects are very realistic. A musical element that stands out is when Miikshi submits her idea to the naming contest. The music sounds crazy and a bit angry, which represents how Miikshi feels. The script is quite clever and something kids will easily relate to. Instead of giving Chickelyna all theses layers, she just states that her opinion is better, like most little kids do. Her feelings aren't overly complex, and kids from all over the world can relate to the struggle of another kid saying, "My idea is right and yours is wrong." The voice talent is quite good and easy to hear. There's some fun humor that may fall over the heads of the target audience such as when Chickelyna comes out of the recording studio early and when questioned about it says, "Oh we just put on the tape of generic news we have for whenever I want to leave early." My favorite part is when Miikshi decides to submit her own idea for the naming contest. She shows how, even if people discourage us, we can still be heard and give our ideas. The message of this film is about standing up for yourself so your ideas can be heard. Sometimes not everyone will listen and your ideas might not always be chosen, but don't be afraid to make yourself heard. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 4 to 11. Reviewed by Allison B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 4-11 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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FU CHING HSU Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - How Grandpa is different from what I knew? It turned out that Grandpa was so exacting before. Mon told me when she was little, Grandpa was very strict with them. But in my mind, Grandpa is just like a magician. Whatever I want Grandpa will make it magically appear. Mon says although Grandpa behaves differently, but his love for us would be the same. And I think, Maybe it 's because Grandpa started to learn magic after he got old, ha ha, lucky me. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Why does Grandpa treat his granddaughter differently than he did his daughter? Lovely short. Brightly colored animation, good voices and pretty good sub-titles although some are slightly off. Still we get the gist of the film. I recommend this for the KIDS FIRST! Film festival because it has a good message for kids, is well made and fun. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Lovely short. Brightly colored animation, good voices and pretty good sub-titles although some are slightly off. Still we get the gist of the film. I recommend this for the KIDS FIRST! Film festival because it has a good message for kids, is well made and fun. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. Runtime: 7 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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ALBERT M. CHAN Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - An urban fairy tale about a lonely boy who enters a contest to become the new butler of a grieving, reclusive singer; the first film by eight-year-old writer/director Andrew Chan-Possemato. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is a completely charming short film produced by an 8-year-old boy. The Butler and the Ball follows a young, lonely boy that enters a contest to become the butler of a lonely artist. Ashton, the young boy, is a believable character. He is played by Andrew Chan-Possemato, an eight-year-old, who is also the writer and director. Ashton is self-reliant, lives in New York City and, it is fun to watch him navigate life on his own. The story is a wonderful fantasy. Ashton's ability to navigate the city on his own is only surpassed when he travels to Africa on his own. Obviously, that's a fantasy, but it's a good one and well executed. I have to say that my heart goes out to this young boy whose mom leaves him a note saying she is out speed-dating and to grab dinner for himself. We never see the mom's presence at any time. Fortunately, this kids seems to have his wits about him. However, some viewers might be concerned about the lack of safety here in this whimsical tale. So, be forewarned. This film is very well produced. The story flows very well from scene to scene. It is well shot, with excellent lighting in the various locations. The audio is very clear. I have seen a lot of adult productions that are not half as well produced. I enjoyed the camera work, especially the close-ups where you can see the emotion on people's faces. The sets and locations are excellent. The mansion where Bob Chan lives is beautiful on the outside although the interior shots are somewhat underwhelming. The film footage in Africa is a fun addition; especially the shots with the hippopotamus. I like the sound effects, especially the sounds of Snickers at the beginning and the hippo sounds. I liked seeing the ball travel from the city to Africa. Andrew Chan-Possemato's performance is really quite good and believable. For a first time filmmaker, I'm impressed. The message of this film is about finding a way to overcome loneliness and make connections. I give this sweet short film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. The story is a wonderful fantasy. Ashton's ability to navigate the city on his own is only surpassed when he travels to Africa on his own. Obviously, that's a fantasy, but it's a good one and well executed. I have to say that my heart goes out to this young boy whose mom leaves him a note saying she is out speed-dating and to grab dinner for himself. We never see the mom's presence at any time. Fortunately, this kids seems to have his wits about him. However, some viewers might be concerned about the lack of safety here in this whimsical tale. So, be forewarned. This film is very well produced. The story flows very well from scene to scene. It is well shot, with excellent lighting in the various locations. The audio is very clear. I have seen a lot of adult productions that are not half as well produced. I enjoyed the camera work, especially the close-ups where you can see the emotion on people's faces. The sets and locations are excellent. The mansion where Bob Chan lives is beautiful on the outside although the interior shots are somewhat underwhelming. The film footage in Africa is a fun addition; especially the shots with the hippopotamus. I like the sound effects, especially the sounds of Snickers at the beginning and the hippo sounds. I liked seeing the ball travel from the city to Africa. Andrew Chan-Possemato's performance is really quite good and believable. For a first time filmmaker, I'm impressed. The message of this film is about finding a way to overcome loneliness and make connections. I give this sweet short film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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STERLING SMITH Series: INDIE SHORT, AGE 5-12 Topic - Family Description - Terra is frustrated with her little brother and doesn't know what to do. That's when her Shoulder Devil and Angel appear. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Adorable! The film is about a girl who has a sibling that is constantly annoying her. She has a shoulder showdown with one shoulder having an angel on it and the other with a devil. She asks these versions of herself what she should do. I like this film because it's about something almost everyone can relate to. People deal with the same problem as the little girl does in the film. Most people can relate to thinking about doing something bad and good in any situation. I know from having two siblings how I need to make decisions that are nice or mean. The acting and camera work is suitable for an indie film and the special effects are super neat. Seeing the angel on the dad's shoulder is cute and funny. The costumes of the little girl as a devil and angel are well done. The shoulder devil and angel are believable. I like that the angel shows up when the girl is playing with her brother at the end. The father angel is also cool. All the acting is quite acceptable. The sister (Terra Smith) delivers her lines okay and the brother (Calvin Smith) is good at acting crazy. The dad (Sterling Smith) has nice emotion at the end. The message of the film is to be nice to your siblings. Even when they bother you, you should still try to appreciate the good things they do. My favorite part of the film is at the end when there is an angel on the dad's shoulder. I think it is nice that he doesn't have a shoulder devil. I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Cadence G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic I like this film because it's about something almost everyone can relate to. People deal with the same problem as the little girl does in the film. Most people can relate to thinking about doing something bad and good in any situation. I know from having two siblings how I need to make decisions that are nice or mean. The acting and camera work is suitable for an indie film and the special effects are super neat. Seeing the angel on the dad's shoulder is cute and funny. The costumes of the little girl as a devil and angel are well done. The shoulder devil and angel are believable. I like that the angel shows up when the girl is playing with her brother at the end. The father angel is also cool. All the acting is quite acceptable. The sister (Terra Smith) delivers her lines okay and the brother (Calvin Smith) is good at acting crazy. The dad (Sterling Smith) has nice emotion at the end. The message of the film is to be nice to your siblings. Even when they bother you, you should still try to appreciate the good things they do. My favorite part of the film is at the end when there is an angel on the dad's shoulder. I think it is nice that he doesn't have a shoulder devil. I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Cadence G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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ROBERT HARMON Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 8-16 Topic - Family Description - On Easter Weekend, two girls pray "A Moses Prayer" for God to change their Dad's heart and let their family go to church on Sunday. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I give this 3.5 stars out of 5. At first, I believed this was purely entertaining and I really liked the characters. As the story unfolds I discovered that there are subtle lessons about having morals, faith and putting family first. The characters and dialogue are strengths and I can imagine it produced, playing on the big screen, although it would do best around the Easter holiday. It flows well and the content is accurate. I also really like how it ends. I recommend this for ages 8 through 15, and perhaps older. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I give this 3.5 stars out of 5. At first, I believed this was purely entertaining and I really liked the characters. As the story unfolds I discovered that there are subtle lessons about having morals, faith and putting family first. The characters and dialogue are strengths and I can imagine it produced, playing on the big screen, although it would do best around the Easter holiday. It flows well and the content is accurate. I also really like how it ends. I recommend this for ages 8 through 15, and perhaps older. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Screenplay |
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JOSEPH DIFRANCESCO Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 8-16 Topic - Family Description - It's a revolutionary concept. The Animall is a state-of-the-art shopping mall and zoo, brilliantly combined as one. With strong plexiglass barriers, shoppers wander about only inches away from some of the most ferocious predators of our time.-- But then, hiding out following a bout of mischief, a small group of kids finds itself trapped inside long after closing. All night they try on clothes, in-line skate, play paintball, and........tease the animals. Until sunrise, the mall would indeed be their oyster. Only, around midnight, a couple of inept thieves enter through a skylight and inadvertently short out the electrical system. Now the kids, as well as the crooks, are trapped until dawn. And the animals are on the loose. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I didn't know what to expect at first when I read that this was a mall/zoo combo and it surprised me with its unique story line. I give this screenplay 4 points out of 5 because of its entertainment value, its subtle message about seeing someone for who they are and its likeable characters. I especially like that the characters are all quite different. They are a strong part of the story. It flows well, the dialogue is realistic and conflict is resolved. I wasn't surprised that the bad guys didn't win and it is refreshing to see Marty save the day. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I didn't know what to expect at first when I read that this was a mall/zoo combo and it surprised me with its unique story line. I give this screenplay 4 points out of 5 because of its entertainment value, its subtle message about seeing someone for who they are and its likeable characters. I especially like that the characters are all quite different. They are a strong part of the story. It flows well, the dialogue is realistic and conflict is resolved. I wasn't surprised that the bad guys didn't win and it is refreshing to see Marty save the day. Reviewed by Denise B., KIDS FIRST! Juror KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-16 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Screenplay |
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MARK KIEFER Series: ENVIRONMENTAL SHORT, AGES 7-12 Topic - Family Description - A comedic allegory of our response to climate change. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Time Bomb is about three men in the year 2050 living on a space station. When one of them activates a bomb and they only have minutes to deactivate it. This film is hilarious! The characters' comedic one-liners are super appeasing. The bouncing off of one another is extremely funny. The ending is like a classic sitcom. The situation gives anyone anxiety but their humor is wonderful. They're all hilarious. There are only two weak points. The first is the background music which is very repetitive and isn't particularly relevant to the scene. The second is the green screen. It is clear that the actors are standing in front of a green screen and a bit too noticeable at times. The shots that impressed me most are the ones at the beginning where we could see all the men and the spaceship floating by. The costumes are impressive. The astronaut suits in the year 2050 could possibly look exactly like the ones they wear. It is very creative. The actors have a great onscreen chemistry. They work great together so it is easy to believe that these characters are friends. The message is about the importance of teamwork. My favorite part of the film is the ending. It is super funny, a classic ending. Love it! I highly recommend this for a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. This is exactly the type of film that we love. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 7 to 11, plus parents. It's very family friendly. Reviewed by Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult juror. There are only two weak points. The first is the background music which is very repetitive and isn't particularly relevant to the scene. The second is the green screen. It is clear that the actors are standing in front of a green screen and a bit too noticeable at times. The shots that impressed me most are the ones at the beginning where we could see all the men and the spaceship floating by. The costumes are impressive. The astronaut suits in the year 2050 could possibly look exactly like the ones they wear. It is very creative. The actors have a great onscreen chemistry. They work great together so it is easy to believe that these characters are friends. The message is about the importance of teamwork. My favorite part of the film is the ending. It is super funny, a classic ending. Love it! I highly recommend this for a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. This is exactly the type of film that we love. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 7 to 11, plus parents. It's very family friendly. Reviewed by Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult juror. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 7-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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BRIAN ELLIOTT Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - Smothered by an adoring, over-protective mom, 12-year-old Bryce Yancy Paul (Bip) is pushed to the brink of pubescent revolution. It's time to ripen. Bloom. Break the shackles of parental paranoia. It's the Age of Bryce. Sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - OMG, this film is hysterical! This is the best submission I've seen all week! I love the writing and storyline from Brian Elliott, which is extremely clever. The acting is spot on and has great entertainment value. The writing really is hysterical. The tone of the over protective mother on her phone night and day about life's potential dangers carries through all the way to the end. Age of Bryce is about a young boy with an over protective mother who wants to experience life rather than observing it. The camera work is great. It's up close and personal; you see all the facial expressions of Bryce throughout the film. It feels as if you're right there with him on screen. The costumes definitely add to the humor. For example, when Bryce is near the pool, he is lathered up with multiple flotation devices and on a tether to his mother. Bryce is played by Major Dodson and he has great facial expression; even when his lines are limited you can still feel his frustration with the rules surrounding him. Virginia Paul is portrayed by Deanna Toten Beard who is perfect in this role as the over protective mom. Her voice is spot on for the droning role of the mother. The message of this film is to break free from unnecessary boundaries and discover life. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is funny and entertaining but could also open discussion to parenting role. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Age of Bryce is about a young boy with an over protective mother who wants to experience life rather than observing it. The camera work is great. It's up close and personal; you see all the facial expressions of Bryce throughout the film. It feels as if you're right there with him on screen. The costumes definitely add to the humor. For example, when Bryce is near the pool, he is lathered up with multiple flotation devices and on a tether to his mother. Bryce is played by Major Dodson and he has great facial expression; even when his lines are limited you can still feel his frustration with the rules surrounding him. Virginia Paul is portrayed by Deanna Toten Beard who is perfect in this role as the over protective mom. Her voice is spot on for the droning role of the mother. The message of this film is to break free from unnecessary boundaries and discover life. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is funny and entertaining but could also open discussion to parenting role. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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MAYUMI TACHIKAWA Series: INDIE SHORT, AGE 8-18 Topic - Family Description - In the middle of the night... Sarah wakes up as she wants to go to the bathroom. As she leaves her room, she finds herself alone in the dark hallway, and it is really creepy. Even the toys she left out look totally different from how they looked during the day. Sarah finally pulls herself together and starts to move forward, with her animal doll friend named Steven, who's got a shiny nose to show her way, but - she trips! When she picks herself up off the ground, she finds herself in a creepy forest with a tall toilet tower in the distance...It must be an imaginary world born from her fear. Can she make it to the bathroom with help from Steven?? This is an adventure story familiar to all of us, to overcome your fear of the dark when nature calls! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Wonderful piece of animation. Imaginative and well executed. Sort of Alice in Wonderland meets Where the Wild Things Are with great imagery and superb background music and sound effects. I love it! However, I do not recommend it for kids under age 7, as it may be way too frightening. There are lots of images that are straight out of the box scary. For older kids, say 8 to 18, plus adults, this would be a fun romp and reminder of the times that they have been afraid of the dark. And, when you have to use the potty in the dark, it is definitely compounded. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Wonderful piece of animation. Imaginative and well executed. Sort of Alice in Wonderland meets Where the Wild Things Are with great imagery and superb background music and sound effects. I love it! However, I do not recommend it for kids under age 7, as it may be way too frightening. There are lots of images that are straight out of the box scary. For older kids, say 8 to 18, plus adults, this would be a fun romp and reminder of the times that they have been afraid of the dark. And, when you have to use the potty in the dark, it is definitely compounded. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. Runtime: 5 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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ALEXIS WONG Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 4-18 Topic - Family Description - When MingMing feels insecure about moving into a new neighborhood, she finds a friend in a huge but playful Chinese Lion. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This short animated film is great for kids with its classic, easy to understand story about friendship. Kids will love the funny humor and creative magic that's part of it. The story is about a little girl who feels insecure about moving into a new neighborhood so she creates a magic lion and has to hide her new roaring friend so her parents won't send it away. I really enjoyed the story; it is creative and silly, in a good way. The only thing I didn't care for is the writing and voice acting, I felt that the script lacks depth and the voice actors are not very enthusiastic. The scene where the lion produces magic really caught my eye because it is really beautiful and it makes you want to have your own magic lion! The costumes are great. One that really stood out is the lion costume. The lion looks outstanding because of the high level of detail and color variety. The entire film pretty much takes place in a house, whish isn't bad because the animators really created a pleasant house background that feels and looks inviting. The music really makes this film interesting, because it helps immerse you in the culture. Throughout the film, there is an Asian theme and the music really helps deliver that theme. Really, this short film really delivers high-quality animation. One person who really stands out to me is the music composer Michelle Cheng, because the music plays a key roll in this film and she adds a cultural aspect that tops it all off. I have no doubt this will look good on the big screen. The message of this film is - you can find friendship in unlikely places. My favorite character is the lion Lucky, because he is really well designed and his humor will make you laugh out loud. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Jude A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic The story is about a little girl who feels insecure about moving into a new neighborhood so she creates a magic lion and has to hide her new roaring friend so her parents won't send it away. I really enjoyed the story; it is creative and silly, in a good way. The only thing I didn't care for is the writing and voice acting, I felt that the script lacks depth and the voice actors are not very enthusiastic. The scene where the lion produces magic really caught my eye because it is really beautiful and it makes you want to have your own magic lion! The costumes are great. One that really stood out is the lion costume. The lion looks outstanding because of the high level of detail and color variety. The entire film pretty much takes place in a house, whish isn't bad because the animators really created a pleasant house background that feels and looks inviting. The music really makes this film interesting, because it helps immerse you in the culture. Throughout the film, there is an Asian theme and the music really helps deliver that theme. Really, this short film really delivers high-quality animation. One person who really stands out to me is the music composer Michelle Cheng, because the music plays a key roll in this film and she adds a cultural aspect that tops it all off. I have no doubt this will look good on the big screen. The message of this film is - you can find friendship in unlikely places. My favorite character is the lion Lucky, because he is really well designed and his humor will make you laugh out loud. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Jude A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 4-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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ARTIE ROMERO Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5 -12 Topic - Family Description - Everybody wants milk! In the first Monkey & Cat animated adventure, M&C discover that there are no bananas and there's no milk in the house. On their way to the grocery store they befriend Benny the boxer, who's a blind seeing eye dog, his master Lucas and then encounter a variety of pint-sized antagonists. The conflicts reach a boiling point when everyone converges at the supermarket. The climax is chaotic--but super cute! Created, written and produced by Sheree' Morris KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Monkey and Cat are best friends. On their way to the grocery store they meet a guide dog that is blind and needs help getting to the grocery store. They help him get there and once they arrive, they need to fight for what they want. I love this 2D animation. Monkey and Cat are cleverly animated and, they wear clothing more suited to humans. The vivid colors in this short film really captivated me. They also give it a happy aspect, which really drew my attention. This film has some really nice, very detailed animation as well. My one problem is all the fighting and negative behavior at the supermarket. Although, the perpetrators are scolded and told to leave the story. I enjoyed the sets and locations, which look like a normal city. Each scene has multiple camera angles, which makes it more interesting. In some scenes you can see things happening in the background, which gives it greater context. For example, as the characters head to the supermarket, there are cars going by, which gives you an idea of the size of the city they are in. There is also a scene I found intriguing when they walk by a storefront where goat yoga is being practiced. This is a fun addition and makes you wonder if anyone actually does that. I'll have to check it out. The message of this film defines friendship and how friends help each other out. There are some threats in this film about physically hurting others. However, nothing happens beyond words. Still, it's really unnecessary to the plot development. I give this short film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, due to the threats of violence. It would make a good addition to the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals. Reviewed by Ginebra Q., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic I love this 2D animation. Monkey and Cat are cleverly animated and, they wear clothing more suited to humans. The vivid colors in this short film really captivated me. They also give it a happy aspect, which really drew my attention. This film has some really nice, very detailed animation as well. My one problem is all the fighting and negative behavior at the supermarket. Although, the perpetrators are scolded and told to leave the story. I enjoyed the sets and locations, which look like a normal city. Each scene has multiple camera angles, which makes it more interesting. In some scenes you can see things happening in the background, which gives it greater context. For example, as the characters head to the supermarket, there are cars going by, which gives you an idea of the size of the city they are in. There is also a scene I found intriguing when they walk by a storefront where goat yoga is being practiced. This is a fun addition and makes you wonder if anyone actually does that. I'll have to check it out. The message of this film defines friendship and how friends help each other out. There are some threats in this film about physically hurting others. However, nothing happens beyond words. Still, it's really unnecessary to the plot development. I give this short film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, due to the threats of violence. It would make a good addition to the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals. Reviewed by Ginebra Q., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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BRANNON SMITHWICK Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5 -10 Topic - Family Description - A young girl grows frustrated when her rural lemonade stand lacks customers, prompting her search for other adventures. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Lemonade is reminiscent of rural childhood. We follow a girl that is trying to sell lemonade on the corner of her street. She has trouble because no one is outside. The girl finally gives up and then her friend comes over and she has fun.>p>This film appeals to me because the main character is experiencing something that many people can relate to. She is not getting any business at her lemonade stand and gives up. Then her friend George shows up and she finds another way to have fun. She makes the best of a bad situation even after she gives up. The movie is really good. I like how the kids in the movie are silly, like real kids and they find things to do like coloring and making noises. The production is well done and the angles used to capture the characters are great, even when the background is blurred so you can focus on the main parts. The setting is very pastel and "girly" - which helps define the little girl, from the first time we see her, to watching her make lemonade and walk out of her house dressed in a modified tutu. The actors include Piper Joachim (Natalie), Harrison Hughes (George), and Jennifer Aycock (Natalie's Mom). Piper stands out since she is the main character. My favorite part is when George helps her have fun and they draw pictures and eat cookies. I give Lemonade 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 10. I recommend this title for a youth & family film festival because kids can easily relate to it and learn a great lesson from it. Reviewed by Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. The movie is really good. I like how the kids in the movie are silly, like real kids and they find things to do like coloring and making noises. The production is well done and the angles used to capture the characters are great, even when the background is blurred so you can focus on the main parts. The setting is very pastel and "girly" - which helps define the little girl, from the first time we see her, to watching her make lemonade and walk out of her house dressed in a modified tutu. The actors include Piper Joachim (Natalie), Harrison Hughes (George), and Jennifer Aycock (Natalie's Mom). Piper stands out since she is the main character. My favorite part is when George helps her have fun and they draw pictures and eat cookies. I give Lemonade 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 10. I recommend this title for a youth & family film festival because kids can easily relate to it and learn a great lesson from it. Reviewed by Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-10 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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BILL DOUGAL Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5 -18 Topic - Family Description - Variety of comedy, artwork, education and music. Songs include. "Moo Cow Blues", and "I Walked Away". Character values are shown through skits. Runtime: 28 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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EVAN KIMBALL Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGE 5-18 Topic - Family Description - Kids find an Alien collecting trash, they decide to help it out. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I like this film because it has a very unique storyline. The youth actors are absolutely adorable. They are Chinese and speak a combination of Mandarin and English. I particularly enjoyed seeing how the kids act with the alien. It's cool that the kids are nice to the aliens, because we usually see the aliens attacking people or vice versa. This storyline follows four children who run into an alien and wonder why he is digging in the trashcans. We find out that he needs trash to rebuild his spaceship. The kids take off around their neighborhood to find trash and help the alien or "Mysterious Trashman," as they like they call him. I like that the kids help the alien without hesitation. I have to say that the Alien costume and the spaceship at the end are pretty campy. But, it doesn't detract from telling a good story. Another thing I particularly like is that it is about recycling. At one point the kids have to resort the trash because it hasn't been done right. The sound effects are quite well done. There's a bit when they make rain appear and disappear and that is well done. The child actors stand out the most because this short film is predominately about them and their efforts to help the alien. My favorite character is the alien, Mysterious Trashman. The message is about the importance of recycling and being kind to others. I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 5 to 18 plus adults. Reviewed by Ethan P. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and KIDS FIRST! Adult reviewer. This storyline follows four children who run into an alien and wonder why he is digging in the trashcans. We find out that he needs trash to rebuild his spaceship. The kids take off around their neighborhood to find trash and help the alien or "Mysterious Trashman," as they like they call him. I like that the kids help the alien without hesitation. I have to say that the Alien costume and the spaceship at the end are pretty campy. But, it doesn't detract from telling a good story. Another thing I particularly like is that it is about recycling. At one point the kids have to resort the trash because it hasn't been done right. The sound effects are quite well done. There's a bit when they make rain appear and disappear and that is well done. The child actors stand out the most because this short film is predominately about them and their efforts to help the alien. My favorite character is the alien, Mysterious Trashman. The message is about the importance of recycling and being kind to others. I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 5 to 18 plus adults. Reviewed by Ethan P. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and KIDS FIRST! Adult reviewer. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Screenplay |
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ROBERT SMITH Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - A world famous artist has painted himself into a corner. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I like this film! It was produced by a group of students during a filmmaking camp and has a very simple story line that many audiences can enjoy. The story addresses the often-debated opinion of art being subjective. The personalities of the actors match the purpose of the plot quite well. Also, the film's set is accurate to what many real-life galleries look like. Art Snobbery shows a group of young students that visit a museum to see a display of a guest artist's work. Little do they know that they have set the bar too high and they may be disappointed by what they see. The concept is what makes the movie great. The cinematography is well done, with interesting angles. I like the young actors who portrays the guest artist. He has an overly dramatic and sophisticated personality, which I found entertaining. The other kids in the cast are equally believable. Their delivery of their lines made me laugh out loud. Well that, plus the "artwork", which are mostly squiggles on paper. This really has a great tongue-in-cheek presentation, yet makes a good point at the same time. I think it could definitely be a wonderful discussion starter with a youth audience about the "subjectivity of art' The message is that varying opinions make for a debate that can go many different ways. I recommend Art Snobbery for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival and give it 4 out of 5 stars. It is most suitable for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Ruby A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. Art Snobbery shows a group of young students that visit a museum to see a display of a guest artist's work. Little do they know that they have set the bar too high and they may be disappointed by what they see. The concept is what makes the movie great. The cinematography is well done, with interesting angles. I like the young actors who portrays the guest artist. He has an overly dramatic and sophisticated personality, which I found entertaining. The other kids in the cast are equally believable. Their delivery of their lines made me laugh out loud. Well that, plus the "artwork", which are mostly squiggles on paper. This really has a great tongue-in-cheek presentation, yet makes a good point at the same time. I think it could definitely be a wonderful discussion starter with a youth audience about the "subjectivity of art' The message is that varying opinions make for a debate that can go many different ways. I recommend Art Snobbery for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival and give it 4 out of 5 stars. It is most suitable for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Ruby A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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STEPHAN LEEPER Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 2-18 Topic - Family Description - This film was done in collaboration with my students in Intro to Animation as a fun way to introduce the grueling process of lip-sync animation. . . not to mention vintage scat blues by Sarah Vaughan. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Scat is an animated lip-synch to the song Scat Blues by Sarah Vaughan. I love the constantly changing backgrounds of this short film. The music is upbeat and it's a fun interpretation with different animated mouths accompanying song. I like how the different types of mouths are represented and the changing backgrounds. The music is great. Who doesn't like Scat Blues by Sarah Vaughan. The music and animation together can simply make you happy. My favorite scene is the bird's beak scatting as it is quite unexpected after all human mouths. I give Scat 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 18, plus adults. I definitely recommend this for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals as it would make a nice interstitial break between other pieces. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Scat is an animated lip-synch to the song Scat Blues by Sarah Vaughan. I love the constantly changing backgrounds of this short film. The music is upbeat and it's a fun interpretation with different animated mouths accompanying song. I like how the different types of mouths are represented and the changing backgrounds. The music is great. Who doesn't like Scat Blues by Sarah Vaughan. The music and animation together can simply make you happy. My favorite scene is the bird's beak scatting as it is quite unexpected after all human mouths. I give Scat 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 18, plus adults. I definitely recommend this for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals as it would make a nice interstitial break between other pieces. Reviewed by Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Runtime: 3 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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KEDAR SHRESTHA Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-18 Topic - Family Description - Junu, a five-year-old girl who has trouble learning left from right is often asked by elders around her to wear her shoes correctly. After constantly trying she finally comes up with a new way to decode her confusion. In Nepali with English sub-titles. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is the most adorable film. I could just gobble it up. The sensitive way that the filmmaker handles the subject is outstanding. No one ever shames the girl; they allow her to find her own way, which I love. There is a lesson to be learned from this short film. Hisse Lama, who plays Junu, is adorable and a joy to watch. The other characters are also well played but Hisse steals the show. You can't wait to see how she resolves the dilemma of which shoe goes onto which foot. The camera work is well done, especially when showing the landscapes of Nepal. Another thing that sticks in my mind is the background music, which I presume to be indigenous music. It's subtle, yet takes you to another country and its people. In some ways, this film reminds me of the beautiful series "Going to School in India" which follows children from various circumstances and shows how they get to school. We see that here and are shown what these children and parents go through to get their child to school, walking along stone walkways, over bridges, and so on. You can't tell exactly how far the school is from their home, but it definitely takes a commitment for them to get there. Then, we see them exercising in the courtyard, studying at their desks, and returning home. Finally, Hisse figures out the right foot dilemma and the close-up of her face as she does that is perfect, as is the close up of her feet and shoes. Kedar Shrestha has created a remarkably beautiful piece that depicts the Nepalese culture in the most beautiful way. As the camera slowly zooms back at the end and we see Hisse sitting on the step, swinging her feet, smiling, the prayer flags on the outbuilding in the background and the mountains beyond, all is well in the world. Highly recommended! I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It really is a charmer. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. Hisse Lama, who plays Junu, is adorable and a joy to watch. The other characters are also well played but Hisse steals the show. You can't wait to see how she resolves the dilemma of which shoe goes onto which foot. The camera work is well done, especially when showing the landscapes of Nepal. Another thing that sticks in my mind is the background music, which I presume to be indigenous music. It's subtle, yet takes you to another country and its people. In some ways, this film reminds me of the beautiful series "Going to School in India" which follows children from various circumstances and shows how they get to school. We see that here and are shown what these children and parents go through to get their child to school, walking along stone walkways, over bridges, and so on. You can't tell exactly how far the school is from their home, but it definitely takes a commitment for them to get there. Then, we see them exercising in the courtyard, studying at their desks, and returning home. Finally, Hisse figures out the right foot dilemma and the close-up of her face as she does that is perfect, as is the close up of her feet and shoes. Kedar Shrestha has created a remarkably beautiful piece that depicts the Nepalese culture in the most beautiful way. As the camera slowly zooms back at the end and we see Hisse sitting on the step, swinging her feet, smiling, the prayer flags on the outbuilding in the background and the mountains beyond, all is well in the world. Highly recommended! I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It really is a charmer. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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CLAUS JOHNSEN Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 2-18 Topic - Family Description - The story is based on an old myth telling the story about the birth of the worlds largest river - the Amazon river. This movie is made together with kids from the Kukama tribe in Santo Tomas in Peru. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - The Secret of the Rainforest is an animated short film about an old man who keeps the location of his water a secret from two children. The two children scheme on how to find out where he gets it and work with other animals of the rain forest to do so. It explores the myth of how the Amazon River came to be. The dialogue is in Danish, with English sub-titles and the film was made together with kids from the Kukama tribe in Santo Tomas in Peru. I really like the look of this short. It has a sort of endearingly well-crafted, handmade quality to it. The fable really fits well into the format of a short film. I like that it is self-contained and the story itself is very otherworldly and fantastical. I really like the final shot of the river forming an image shaped like a tree. The tree plays a large role in the story and the tree itself is quite majestic. The music grounds you in the world and creates an almost ethereal feeling. The whole look of this short is really it's biggest asset. My favorite part is the closing moments when the river flows and the life around the chopped tree begin to flourish. The message of this film is "do not withhold that which could assist the lives of others from the people around you." I give The Secret of the Rainforest 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 2 to 18, plus adults. It's a legend that I think will captivate all audiences. Reviewed by Benjamin P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic I really like the look of this short. It has a sort of endearingly well-crafted, handmade quality to it. The fable really fits well into the format of a short film. I like that it is self-contained and the story itself is very otherworldly and fantastical. I really like the final shot of the river forming an image shaped like a tree. The tree plays a large role in the story and the tree itself is quite majestic. The music grounds you in the world and creates an almost ethereal feeling. The whole look of this short is really it's biggest asset. My favorite part is the closing moments when the river flows and the life around the chopped tree begin to flourish. The message of this film is "do not withhold that which could assist the lives of others from the people around you." I give The Secret of the Rainforest 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 2 to 18, plus adults. It's a legend that I think will captivate all audiences. Reviewed by Benjamin P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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JULIEN GAGNON Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 7-15 Topic - Family Description - April 2023, the lockdown from COVID virus is still going. Alice and Noah (5 and 3 years old) have to cross the city to give the formula to a vaccine developed by their scientists parents. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Oh my word, I hope that the coronavirus won't still be around in 2023! Cute kids, interesting story. The idea that these young children are crossing the city on their own is a bit of a problem, but considering the situation, we'll give it a pass. Well shot & edited. The young children are beyond adorable. I can see as relevant to this year's festival, when we are all reeling from the shut down due to COVID-19. Accepted, I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 7 to 15, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! juror. Cute kids, interesting story. The idea that these young children are crossing the city on their own is a bit of a problem, but considering the situation, we'll give it a pass. Well shot & edited. The young children are beyond adorable. I can see as relevant to this year's festival, when we are all reeling from the shut down due to COVID-19. Accepted, I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 7 to 15, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! juror. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 7-15 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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LAURA KAY Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - Welcome to Petunia's Playhouse! Join us each week to learn a new Self-Care technique to help you through difficult times! In this episode, Petunia and Pumpkin Duck as learn all about a new self-care technique: Gratitude! Learn how Gratitude can change your way of thinking so you can tackle any obstacle head-on! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Bravo to Laura Kay for creating such a heartfelt piece during the COVID-19 pandemic. We all need positive inspiration to deal with the difficulties of this global crisis as people deal with health issues, isolation, unemployment and more. This is cute, sweet and short, perfect for young children. Some of the vocabulary (3:01) is a bit advance for young children, but we'll give that a pass as its overall message is so positive. Well shot. Cute sets. Good editing. I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. Well shot. Cute sets. Good editing. I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! Juror. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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MIKE SCHLEIF Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 3-9 Topic - Family Description - Best friends Becca and Zoe help an old friend restore life to the Great Slumber Tree. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I think this series could have a big following because it reminds me of famous kid shows, like the Baby Einstein series. The storyline is simple to understand and the 2D animation is cute. The story follows Becca and Zoe, two friends that help an elderly bear and three little bears find the sleepy fairies so the bears can hibernate easier. I like that the animated bears are different colors so we can easily tell them apart and that the story includes a rocket ship in space. I also like the story that the bears need fairy dust to sleep. The story line is most interesting when the bears are in space helping bears on Earth. The point of view of the animation includes close-up shots as well as far away shots. It is neat seeing the rocket ship go out of frame in one of the scenes. I like the pajamas on the little bears and the space gear (especially on the Robot Bear, voiced by Erica Opromollo) is cool. I like that one of the little bears has a yellow blanket with white stars. It is super cute. I like the scene of the elderly bear sitting in his chair with the little bears sitting on a green rug in front of him while there is a fire in the fireplace. It looks cozy to me. The music is upbeat and sets a fun tone to the film. It appears that possible relatives of the director, Mike Schleif make up the voice talent, since Madison Schleif and Julianna Schleif are listed in the credits. The little bears have cute little voices, so I like the voice talent. The animation is strong and simple, so it should translate to the big screen pretty well. The only thing I don't care for is how the bears walk as it is not very realistic. But, other than that, I'm a fan and recommend it for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals. The message of the film is about helping others. My favorite character is the brown bear with the blanket (Lilli Mason) because she is so cute. I think her blanket won me over. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 9. Reviewed by Cadence G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic The story follows Becca and Zoe, two friends that help an elderly bear and three little bears find the sleepy fairies so the bears can hibernate easier. I like that the animated bears are different colors so we can easily tell them apart and that the story includes a rocket ship in space. I also like the story that the bears need fairy dust to sleep. The story line is most interesting when the bears are in space helping bears on Earth. The point of view of the animation includes close-up shots as well as far away shots. It is neat seeing the rocket ship go out of frame in one of the scenes. I like the pajamas on the little bears and the space gear (especially on the Robot Bear, voiced by Erica Opromollo) is cool. I like that one of the little bears has a yellow blanket with white stars. It is super cute. I like the scene of the elderly bear sitting in his chair with the little bears sitting on a green rug in front of him while there is a fire in the fireplace. It looks cozy to me. The music is upbeat and sets a fun tone to the film. It appears that possible relatives of the director, Mike Schleif make up the voice talent, since Madison Schleif and Julianna Schleif are listed in the credits. The little bears have cute little voices, so I like the voice talent. The animation is strong and simple, so it should translate to the big screen pretty well. The only thing I don't care for is how the bears walk as it is not very realistic. But, other than that, I'm a fan and recommend it for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals. The message of the film is about helping others. My favorite character is the brown bear with the blanket (Lilli Mason) because she is so cute. I think her blanket won me over. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 9. Reviewed by Cadence G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 3-9 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Screenplay |
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BIRKE DUNCAN Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 2-12 Topic - Family Description - A retired circus star rescues kids from a rogue robot. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Gargantua vs. the Robot is about a Gorilla that saves a school bus from a giant Robot. This film is very simple in terms of production design and is easy to connect with, because the characters are like the toys that every kid plays with. This film could inspire kids to create their own films. It is cute and simple, although the ending is a bit confusing, as it doesn't really explain how the bus got back on the road. The cinematography is very realistic. The scenarios suit the story nicely. I love the music and the effects. They are so simple, yet they work. The production quality is quite good. I think it will project well onto the big screen. My favorite part is when gargantuan swings to the rescue! The message of the film is: nature is kind to us and can save us. I learned that we can all create a short film; simple elements and basic story can create a great movie. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 12. I recommend this for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival Reviewed by Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic This film is very simple in terms of production design and is easy to connect with, because the characters are like the toys that every kid plays with. This film could inspire kids to create their own films. It is cute and simple, although the ending is a bit confusing, as it doesn't really explain how the bus got back on the road. The cinematography is very realistic. The scenarios suit the story nicely. I love the music and the effects. They are so simple, yet they work. The production quality is quite good. I think it will project well onto the big screen. My favorite part is when gargantuan swings to the rescue! The message of the film is: nature is kind to us and can save us. I learned that we can all create a short film; simple elements and basic story can create a great movie. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 12. I recommend this for the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival Reviewed by Zoe C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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MARIANNE CLAIRE Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 8 TO 15 Topic - Family Description - Thirteen-year-old Katelyn is the only one out of her friends who has never been kissed. She goes on a mission to get her first kiss, but she has to find the lucky boy first. (based on true events) KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Great short film; perfect for middle schoolers and early high school perhaps. Katelyn is the perfect role model, playing a girl with a mission. Both she and the boy are well matched and keep this film moving along at a quick pace. It's well shot with good camera work, even at night, and good audio. No issues with that. The only drawback I have is that the background music is a bit on overdrive in the opening scene. The filmmaker could dial it back a bit so we can hear the dialogue better. Other than that, it's a yes. Recommended for ages 8 to 15. 4 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Dan N., KIDS FIRST! Adult juror. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Great short film; perfect for middle schoolers and early high school perhaps. Katelyn is the perfect role model, playing a girl with a mission. Both she and the boy are well matched and keep this film moving along at a quick pace. It's well shot with good camera work, even at night, and good audio. No issues with that. The only drawback I have is that the background music is a bit on overdrive in the opening scene. The filmmaker could dial it back a bit so we can hear the dialogue better. Other than that, it's a yes. Recommended for ages 8 to 15. 4 out of 5 stars. Reviewed by Dan N., KIDS FIRST! Adult juror. Runtime: 9 minutes KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-15 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
