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NBC STUDIOS Series: TV SERIES, 6-18 Topic - Family Description - Created by Ava DuVernay, a social experiment focuses on real families of different backgrounds who experience a new way of life when they trade homes. The participants boldly step out of their comfort zones, taking part in each other's daily routines, getting acquainted with new friends and neighbors, trying unfamiliar hobbies and more. Afterward, the families come together to share stories as well as their new perspectives and learnings. Their emotional, inspiring journey begins as a celebration of differences, but in the end, it might just reveal that they have more in common than they think. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Home Sweet Home is not just another show where families switch lives! This show is different from other reality television shows because it focuses on celebrating differences, things that families have in common and connecting people rather than conflicts, like many other reality TV shows. It really is a breath of fresh air. Home Sweet Home is an unscripted nine-part docu-series created by Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ms. Ava DuVernay that follows two families with very different lives as they swap homes, eat each other's meals, meet each other's loved ones and experience their traditions and lifestyle. One of the best parts of the show is that Ms. DuVernay picked families that have never been on a television, had no desire to be famous and are genuinely interested in understanding other people. I love that different families, even the children, learn about other cultures and ways of life that they may not be able to experience any other way. During the social experiment, the families must remove personal photos or anything that may give the other family clues about who they are so the "switch family" really keeps an open mind while staying at their house. It's hilarious watching the families try to guess things about each other based on what they see in their homes, like their food and decorations. It's really cool that, at the end of each episode, the two families sit down for a meal together to share what they learned about each other and themselves throughout the experience. Home Sweet Home is all about kindness and understanding others. The lesson in this series is to learn how to have an open mind and heart to see life through other people's eyes. The families are able to appreciate how other lives and learn that we all want the same things at the end of the day and that we are all human. I give Home Sweet Home 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18, plus adults. You can enjoy a free screening of episode 4 of Home Sweet Home now through November 28 during the American Black Film Festival at www.abff.com. The series premiered on October 15, 2021, on NBC and moved to Peacock on November 12, 2021. By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 6-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: TV |
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NETFLIX Series: FEATURE, AGES 8 - 18 Topic - Family Description - An ordinary young boy called Nikolas sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical, comic and endearing story that proves nothing is impossible. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - A Boy Called Christmas is an unforgettable magical tale of how Christmas came to be. Nikolas sets out on a difficult journey to the Far North in search of his father and the magical elf village called Elfhelm. What he finds is so much more. He finds new friends, hope, and who he was meant to be. As the film begins, Aunt Ruth (Maggie Smith), comes to babysit three children during the Christmas season. She tells them a story of a boy named Nikolas (Henry Lawfull), or Christmas as his mother used to call him. His father, Joel, (Michael Huisman) embarks on a quest with others to find a spark of magic in the North for the King (Jim Broadbent) who is looking to bring back hope to the people. Nikolas finds a map and ventures into the great unknown with his pet mouse, Miika, in search of his father and the village of Elfhelm. My favorite scene is when Nikolas meets The Truth Pixie (Zoe Margaret Colletti) while he's locked away in a tower. The Truth Pixie is a comical character who doesn't want to help Nikolas at first, but they soon become friends, which is lucky for him. She decides to help him find his dad and their reactions to events are enjoyable to watch. The settings in the film help add to the mood of the story. The small home has simple things that reflect their simple lives. The creative details in the Elfhelm village add a festive flavor to the story. The decorations are perfect for the holiday season and add to the spirit of Christmas. The animation in the film blends well in the scenes. The animated character Miika ( Stephen Merchant) is a helpful little companion to Nicholas that adds a nice touch to the film. The costumes in the film fit the different characters' personalities well. The elves' costumes have nice details that go well with the story. I also like how everything ties in with the kids and Aunt Ruth at the end. The message in this film is to have hope. Hope is what keeps people going in times that are hard. Nickolas learns that hope is never out of reach and shares this thought with others. The king needed a tangible symbol of hope that would bring happiness and learns from Nikolas that it was inside him all along. I give A Boy Called Christmas 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this to ages 10 to 17, plus adults. It releases on Netflix November 24, 2021. By Carlee S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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PARAMOUNT PICTURES Series: FEATURE, AGES 6-18 Topic - Family Description - Jack Whitehall,Darby Camp,Tony Hale,Sienna Guillory,David Alan Grier,,John Cleese, KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Clifford the Big Red Dog is the kind of lightweight, zippy children's entertainment that keeps kids engaged and parents from eyeing the theater's exits. It doesn't stray away from what Clifford stands for, but it fundamentally misunderstands what has made Clifford's adventures iconic. Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) is a pre-teen on a scholarship at her private school, picked on by her classmates for her comparative lack of wealth. She trudges home each day, worn down by her classmates' ridicule, but that changes when her mom has to leave town and her unruly Uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) arrives. On the way to school, they come across a tent shrouded in mystery with an eccentric owner named Mr. Bridwell (John Cleese), and there they find a little red dog named Clifford. Casey lets his niece know she can't take the puppy home and, despite her sunken shoulders and the hanging head, she agrees. But little Clifford gets in her backpack and later she finds him. Emily wishes that she and the dog would grow big and strong so they could be protected from the world's cruelty. A tear tinged with magic runs down her face and brushes against Clifford's bright red fur and--just like that!--the next day, he's grown to his familiar grand size. Emily and Clifford's serenity is short-lived, and you can't keep a 10-foot dog a secret for long; from there, Emily, the dog and her uncle, dash back and forth across New York City in search of a home for Clifford as a genetics company wants to harness Clifford's traits for their next product and tries to capture him. Clifford the Big Red Dog gets lost in grounding their characters in the real world. The simplicity of the Clifford stories is part of what make these best-selling books so well-known and loved. As this story goes deeper into the corporate troubles of the genetics company, the fun of placing Clifford in the real world isn't developed, with the exception of Clifford chasing a giant inflatable ball across a park. Also, there is a bit of a message in this film that the minute you are made fun of, that you should put your aggressor through the same humiliation which did not sit right with me. I give Clifford the Big Red Dog 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 13 for some crude and rude humor as well as some cruelty toward a bully. Clifford the Big Red Dog paws its way into theaters and onto Paramount+ November 10, 2021. By Benjamin P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16 Clifford the Big Red Dog is an action-packed film, filled with fun, adventures and non-stop-entertainment. It's based off the original show from the 2000s, but it's made more modern. If you are a fan of the original Clifford the Big Red Dog, then you will definitely enjoy this. The storyline follows Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) who is an outcast at her new school and, while her mom is away, she is being taken care of by her Uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) who is a bit irresponsible. On her way to school she comes across an animal petting tent and meets Clifford, a little red dog. One morning she wakes up and Clifford is ten feet tall. Emily needs to find a way to get Clifford small again before she gets into a whole lot of trouble. My favorite aspect of the film is that this one keeps to the same concept as the original show. Although Clifford starts out as a small puppy, he grows bigger and bigger the more he feels loved by Emily Elizabeth. And the bigger he gets, the more noticeable he is to everyone. Clifford is obviously animated and you know he's not real. However, the animation makes him look pretty realistic and he's so cute. I also like the relationships Emily had with her family and friends. Even though the officials claim Clifford belongs to someone else, the people that are closest to Emily stick with her until the end. My favorite character is Uncle Casey because he is funny and fun to be around. He is hilarious when the time is right, and he also knows how to be serious, keep focused and get the job done when he needs to. The acting in this film is just really believable. With all the emotional and exciting scenes in this film, you'll find yourself entertained the whole time. You may even shed a tear while watching. The message of Clifford The Big Red Dog is that it's okay to be different. Everybody is different and it's a normal thing. So we should just accept each other the way we are. I rate Clifford The Big Red Dog 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18, plus adults. It opens in theaters and on Paramount+ November 10, 2021. Be sure to check it out! By Giana N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 Adventure has never been bigger than in Clifford the Big Red Dog, based on the beloved Scholastic book series. This movie really grows on you as quickly as Clifford grows from a small puppy to a big red dog. Clifford the Big Red Dog is a story about Emily Elizabeth Howard (Darby Camp) who is gifted an adorable red puppy after she and her Uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) discover a magical pet rescuer (John Cleese) on their way to school. The puppy grows overnight into a big red dog and Emily Elizabeth and her uncle have many adventures trying to adjust to Clifford's new size and the various problems that arise. An antagonist shows up to seize Clifford for his scientific experiments. Emily Elizabeth and her friends rescue Clifford and, in the end, it is Clifford that rescues Emily. My favorite character is obviously Clifford, but I also enjoyed Jack Whitehall's (Uncle Casey) performance which is so humorous, especially the interesting situations as he tries to grow into his role as the supervising adult. Darby Camp (Emily Elizabeth) really shows a great deal of emotional depth as her special bond with Clifford grows along with his size. My favorite scene is the one where Clifford is playing fetch with a blow-up ball in New York City's Central Park. I really enjoyed all of the New York scenery and characters from the Big Apple which add to the story. The message of this film is that love comes in many shapes and sizes. Being different doesn't exclude you from being loved, but rather expands love's possibilities. Clifford teaches Darby how love can bring new experiences and confidence when you allow it to grow. I rate Clifford the Big Red Dog 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 10, plus adults who will enjoy the humor as well. The film is available in theaters and on Paramount+ November 10, 2021. Don't miss this classic story as it come to life! By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 6-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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NETFLIX Series: TV SHOW, AGES 4-8 Topic - Family Description - Cute cats, quirky crafts and colorful magic! Join kitty enthusiast Gabby and her sidekick Pandy Paws as they team up for a series of animated adventures. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Season 3 of Gabby's Dollhouse is coming, and you can't miss it! With impeccable acting, adorable animation, cute songs, fantastic characters and educational values, Gabby's Dollhouse is a must-see for any little kid or little kid at heart. Each episode of Gabby's Dollhouse features a transformation from live-action to animation that is important to the overall storyline. Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner) starts as a person and Pandy Paws (Tucker Chandler) as a stuffed animal. The plot begins here and then dives into the dollhouse where Gabby and Pandy Paws become animated, along with the other dollhouse characters. The episodes are individual storylines, so each show is a brand new experience with the same high quality. Gabby's Dollhouse checks all of the boxes. The acting fits the characters well and they sound simply adorable. These characters are far-fetched, like funky kitties and fairies, so the voices can be unique and dripping in characterization to fit the individual creature and personality. It also adds so much to the series that the characters' lips move in sync with their cute voices. The in-sync animation takes Gabby's Dollhouse to a level that some animated shows don't reach. Every character is unique and there is diversity in their appearances. The animated objects are colorful, bright and very cute. They create an interesting background that adds to the storyline in many ways. Whether these objects are used to create foreshadowing or to make the visuals more appealing, they always have a purpose. The same can be said for the animated and live-action locations, which are unique. Another outstanding element of these episodes is the consistent educational breaks. Sometimes it involves choosing to solve a problem or choosing to make a decision that makes everyone happy. These are short breaks and they get important messages across and teach life skills. The entertaining and often educational songs are another wonderful aspect. Each piece of music is woven naturally into the story. The writers have created interesting lyrics that add to the story. All of the singers and musicians mix their acting talent with their musical abilities to create a characterized, yet incredibly musical performance with each song. The overall message of this show is about teamwork and problem solving. There are subplots and sub-messages as well, about cooking, music and art skills. I give Season 3 of Gabby's Dollhouse 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 8, plus families. You can watch season 3 of Gabby's Dollhouse on Netflix beginning October 19, 2021. By Kyla C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 4-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: TV |
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PARAMOUNT PLUS Series: TV SERIES, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - In 2383, five years after the USS Voyager returned to Earth, a motley crew of young aliens in the Delta Quadrant find an abandoned Starfleet ship, the USS Protostar. Taking control of the ship, they must learn to work together as they make their way towards the Alpha Quadrant. The series uses computer animation, differing from previous Star Trek animation. The series is intended for younger audiences than the rest of the franchise. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - An enthralling and unique offering from a franchise that doesn't normally cater to a kid-specific audience, Star Trek: Prodigy is an action-packed CGI-animated series that kids will love! Star Trek: Prodigy follows a crew of six young aliens, all of whom are outcasts, tasked with navigating the galaxy searching for a better future. These six young outcasts know nothing about the ship they have commandeered - a first in the history of the Star Trek franchise and an element that certainly keeps the show approachable for newbies. It's an entertaining and novel concept, and the sense of wonder the characters feel is contagious. My favorite character has to be Dal (Brett Gray). He's instantly likeable, seems to be up for any challenge, and has one heck of a personality! It's characters like Dal who make this series the perfect way for Star Trek to introduce the franchise to younger audiences. Showrunners Dan and Kevin Hageman and director Ben Hibon evidently worked hard on the plot and overall look of the show. They came up with a whole new cast of protagonists and animation language, which I find perfectly fitting for the show's intergalactic theme. The soft purples, oranges, yellows and blues work in tandem to produce a wonderful backdrop for the saga of the young misfits, played by Ella Purnell, Jason Mantzoukas, Brett Gray and Rylee Alazraqui. Kate Mulgrew's reprisal of her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway is also especially exciting, and Mulgrew manages to phenomenally hit every beat. Star Trek: Prodigy promotes teamwork, kindness and the idea of working hard to achieve your greater goals and dreams. As Engadget puts it, "part of the franchise's ethos is exploration," and discovery is certainly a major theme in this show. I give Star Trek: Prodigy 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for kids age 8 to 18, plus adults. Star Trek: Prodigy premieres October 28, 2021 on the streaming service Paramount+ with its first 10-episode season. Go check it out! By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: TV |
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INTEGRITY RELEASING Series: FEATURE, AGES 5-8 Topic - Family Description - Using quirky inventions from a spy backpack, young Bernie Dingledorf, his dog, and two best friends, are the only ones who can save the world by facing bullies, thwarting circus clowns and destroying Dr. Chuckles evil laugh generator. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - see youth comments KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Secret Agent Dingledorf and His Trusty Dog Splat is a film that has a relatable message, an interesting storyline, and shows the importance of teamwork. There are some familiar faces in this film, making it one to watch. The story follows a 10-year-old boy named Bernie Dingledorf (Zackary Arthur) who is living a normal life, until he and his friends eat a Gooey Chewy Bar. This makes the friends immune to the Laugh Generator, which is being used by Dr. Chuckles, a clown who is trying to take over the world through uncontrollable laughter. When a secret spy agency called T.W.I.T. forces Bernie and his friends to come together to save the world from Dr. Chuckles, it is up to them to step up to the plate. The acting in this film is not great, but it's acceptable. The sets are very colorful and creative. At some points you can tell they are using a green screen such as when we see the T.W.I.T. agency behind the characters - the setting looks like it has been edited. My favorite aspect is the storyline, which is entertaining and fun. Throughout the movie we see Berinie and his friends go on an adventure to figure out how to stop the clowns from creating world-wide havoc, which can be a fun, exciting, adventure for the audience. My favorite character is IQ (Cooper J. Friedman) because he's really funny. Although IQ is small, he is a big help in stopping the clowns. The others think that just because he is small, he doesn't know much and is small-brained. But, I like the fact that he is really just as smart as the others. The message of this film is that it doesn't matter who you are or what you do, God doesn't make junk. This film is completely family friendly. I rate Secret Agent Dingledorf and His Trusty Dog Splat 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 8. You can find this film on VOD starting October 23, 2021. Be sure to check it out. By Giana N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: FeatureFilm |
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BRICEN X Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - Malcolm promises his son Chance that they will go to his favorite arcade after school. However, when Malcolm takes some time after work to enjoy himself, he fails to pick up his son at school on time. Now the arcade has closed, and Chance is visibly upset. After a tense dinner, Malcolm tries to cheer up his son by building him a makeshift arcade in their living room instead. Despite this, Chance is still upset, and Malcolm finds out about the real issue that is affecting his son. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I love The Way You Smile because it is realistic in so many ways. This film has a deep message that could help many people. It's an amazing film. The story is about Malcolm (Patrick Keeffe) and his son Chance (Ethan Ergen). Malcolm promises Chance to take his son to the arcade after school, but Malcolm fails to pick him up on time and by the time he does, the arcade is closed. After a tense dinner, Malcom finds out that Chance is upset, not just about the arcade but has another issue. I love how the story develops; you can tell the father and son have a connection from the beginning and that holds the film together. You really get a sense of the characters from the get go. The camera work is so good from the get go. In the beginning, the sides of the screen are blurry and that adds a good effect to the scene. It made me focus on the character more and how he is moving. I love the different sets and props, like when Malcom uses blankets, lights and games that Malcolm uses in the living room for Chance. The time of day helps establish the characters' moods; for example, when Malcolm is going to pick Chance up it is dark outside. The background music is great. I especially enjoyed the music playing when Malcolm takes Chance to work, especially when they both break out singing. The piece during the credits is also very beautiful. The lyrics fit the father-son bond. When Malcolm sets up the home arcade, the panoramic camera gives the effect of time passing as do the laps he runs around the house. The characters show their emotions in the first five seconds of the film. When Malcolm looks over to the other side of the bed and sighs, it made me want to keep watching to see what would happen next. When Chance runs away from the games and goes to his room, you sense there is more on his mind. It really touched me. It made me want to learn more about single parenting and how challenging it must be. It must take a lot of strength to talk to your child about being a single parent, and why that may be the case. My favorite part of the film is when Malcolm and Chance fall asleep on the couch. It's a powerful moment. The Director Bricen X should be complimented for making this story very real. I was so attached to the script because everything comes together and it is beautiful to watch! There are many known actors in this including Patrick Keeffe, Bricen X., O'Neil Henry, Alison Wright, Bren McElroy and more. The message of this film is that the people who love you can always help you through hard times, if you let them, and that there are lots of ways to love someone. I give The Way You Smile 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. By Makena P., KIDS FIRST! The story is about Malcolm (Patrick Keeffe) and his son Chance (Ethan Ergen). Malcolm promises Chance to take his son to the arcade after school, but Malcolm fails to pick him up on time and by the time he does, the arcade is closed. After a tense dinner, Malcom finds out that Chance is upset, not just about the arcade but has another issue. I love how the story develops; you can tell the father and son have a connection from the beginning and that holds the film together. You really get a sense of the characters from the get go. The camera work is so good from the get go. In the beginning, the sides of the screen are blurry and that adds a good effect to the scene. It made me focus on the character more and how he is moving. I love the different sets and props, like when Malcom uses blankets, lights and games that Malcolm uses in the living room for Chance. The time of day helps establish the characters' moods; for example, when Malcolm is going to pick Chance up it is dark outside. The background music is great. I especially enjoyed the music playing when Malcolm takes Chance to work, especially when they both break out singing. The piece during the credits is also very beautiful. The lyrics fit the father-son bond. When Malcolm sets up the home arcade, the panoramic camera gives the effect of time passing as do the laps he runs around the house. The characters show their emotions in the first five seconds of the film. When Malcolm looks over to the other side of the bed and sighs, it made me want to keep watching to see what would happen next. When Chance runs away from the games and goes to his room, you sense there is more on his mind. It really touched me. It made me want to learn more about single parenting and how challenging it must be. It must take a lot of strength to talk to your child about being a single parent, and why that may be the case. My favorite part of the film is when Malcolm and Chance fall asleep on the couch. It's a powerful moment. The Director Bricen X should be complimented for making this story very real. I was so attached to the script because everything comes together and it is beautiful to watch! There are many known actors in this including Patrick Keeffe, Bricen X., O'Neil Henry, Alison Wright, Bren McElroy and more. The message of this film is that the people who love you can always help you through hard times, if you let them, and that there are lots of ways to love someone. I give The Way You Smile 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. By Makena P., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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CLAUDIO MARTINS Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - In a small and poor village in the interior of Brazil, a girl is born with a special gift that brings happiness to everyone. But when she grows it ends up bringing problems for many. A film adapted from the award winning book "Ela tem olhos de c�u" by Socorro Acioli. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - The Brazilian animated short, Sebastiana, is an adaptation of a children's book, Ela Tem Olhos de C�u by Socorro Acioli and is adorable. There is no narrative, but there is lots of crying, and for good reason. Sebastiana is a little baby girl who has "Eyes of the Sky" (loose translation) and whenever she cries, it rains! Sebastiana takes a minute or two to understand, because it is a based on a folk tale from northern Brazil and reflects the lifestyle from that area. In the little village setting, the dry climate makes farming a tough task and there is a lot of poverty. The church plays its part in maintaining religious values and is the antagonist in this story. Sebastiana's gift is making the sky rain when she cries, which makes it hard on her family because now their gardens have too much rain (you know how often babies cry) and the church thinks she is cursed. I love the animation in this film. It is brightly colored and portrays both the characters and their surrounding with a light touch. The background music takes its melodies from the folk tales of northern Brazil and is married to the animation in a most interesting way. Using native instruments - strings, accordion, keyboards and guitars - and "mickey mousing" the movements of the colorful two dimensional animation makes the flow seamless. Director Claudio Martins must have a big heart because all the children in this film are loving and so sweet. The message of Sebastiana is that sometimes our gifts are also our drawbacks, but in the long run, things balance out as long as we love and are loved! I give Sebastiana 4 stars out of 5 and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Nancy K., KIDS FIRST! Sebastiana takes a minute or two to understand, because it is a based on a folk tale from northern Brazil and reflects the lifestyle from that area. In the little village setting, the dry climate makes farming a tough task and there is a lot of poverty. The church plays its part in maintaining religious values and is the antagonist in this story. Sebastiana's gift is making the sky rain when she cries, which makes it hard on her family because now their gardens have too much rain (you know how often babies cry) and the church thinks she is cursed. I love the animation in this film. It is brightly colored and portrays both the characters and their surrounding with a light touch. The background music takes its melodies from the folk tales of northern Brazil and is married to the animation in a most interesting way. Using native instruments - strings, accordion, keyboards and guitars - and "mickey mousing" the movements of the colorful two dimensional animation makes the flow seamless. Director Claudio Martins must have a big heart because all the children in this film are loving and so sweet. The message of Sebastiana is that sometimes our gifts are also our drawbacks, but in the long run, things balance out as long as we love and are loved! I give Sebastiana 4 stars out of 5 and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Nancy K., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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BACACI SJENKI Series: FOREIGN STUDENT SHORT, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - A peaceful morning coffee is interrupted by Lara's mysterious disappearance. Chief inspector interrogates a number of odd people trying to find her. But as they dig deeper, wondering what happened to Lara, they start doubting in Lara's existence altogether, even their own existence and reality itself... KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Action, suspense, and humor! The Other Of The Show is a student produced that that has a complex and invigorating plot line, particularly for such a short film. There are so much plot twists and interesting turns that the curiosity of the viewer is on constant high alert. The film is narrated by an investigator intent on discovering how a girl disappeared. However, every witness points to the possibility of the absolute impossible and we are left to doubt Laura's existence altogether! The plot of this film is definitely unusual and quirky. The camerawork is quite good; there are some shaky camerawork, but they sort of add to the storyline. The camera angles are varied throughout with a mix of range. The settings are typical for the story, from the theater to the caf�, to outdoor shots. The background music and sound effects works well; at the beginning there is a great selection of pop-type music that creates a very exciting vibe and later it is used for transitions or to help drive the action. The character development offers a series of unexpected and unanticipated plot twists. Not knowing who the key characters actually are is an interesting take. My favorite parts are the stereotypical scenes we are accustomed to seeing in films, created in a DIY sort of way, such as introducing the culprits by spinning around in a circle. This is such a fun and interesting film that incorporates aliens, books and action. The message of the film is: anything is possible. Always consider the potential of an impossible circumstance. It does show kids doing risky things that kids might imitate; there are acts of violence with children fighting and some gun action. Note, the dialogue is in Croatian with English subtitles. I give The Other Side Of The Show 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! The film is narrated by an investigator intent on discovering how a girl disappeared. However, every witness points to the possibility of the absolute impossible and we are left to doubt Laura's existence altogether! The plot of this film is definitely unusual and quirky. The camerawork is quite good; there are some shaky camerawork, but they sort of add to the storyline. The camera angles are varied throughout with a mix of range. The settings are typical for the story, from the theater to the caf�, to outdoor shots. The background music and sound effects works well; at the beginning there is a great selection of pop-type music that creates a very exciting vibe and later it is used for transitions or to help drive the action. The character development offers a series of unexpected and unanticipated plot twists. Not knowing who the key characters actually are is an interesting take. My favorite parts are the stereotypical scenes we are accustomed to seeing in films, created in a DIY sort of way, such as introducing the culprits by spinning around in a circle. This is such a fun and interesting film that incorporates aliens, books and action. The message of the film is: anything is possible. Always consider the potential of an impossible circumstance. It does show kids doing risky things that kids might imitate; there are acts of violence with children fighting and some gun action. Note, the dialogue is in Croatian with English subtitles. I give The Other Side Of The Show 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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LILA KATZ Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 5-18 Topic - Family Description - The healing power of human-canine connection in combatting anxiety and isolation for people of all ages, through the lens of mounting mental health crisis in teens, overcoming learning disabilities and isolation during Covid. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - As a dog owner, I like the student documentary film, They're the Reason, a lot! I relate with some of the stories because COVID forced me to attend sixth grade at home. When I feel sad that I am missing out on new experiences, my dog Khaleesi is always there for me. She knows when I am sad and cuddles with me whenever I need it. This short film talks about how dogs can truly help with people's mental health. It shows four different teenagers with different health issues like ADHD, depression, dyspepsia or anxiety, and how their dogs help them cope. Animals have been proven to make people feel better whenever they are in a state of depression or sadness. I like that this film confirms how dogs really can help humans deal with about life and its challenges, day by day. I identify with this film because I believe I have ADD and, whenever I come home, my dog makes me feel better and helps me focus with my homework. The camera work is okay, nothing terrific, but it works for this documentary. There are a variety of locations, mostly at the teenagers' houses, room or their neighborhood streets. It shows how service dogs and animal support dogs are helping people cope with mental illness and other issues. My favorite part was watching the bond between the dogs and their teenage owners. The message is that dogs are not only human's best friend, but human's best natural medication too. I give They're the Reason 5 out of 5 stars and recommended it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! This short film talks about how dogs can truly help with people's mental health. It shows four different teenagers with different health issues like ADHD, depression, dyspepsia or anxiety, and how their dogs help them cope. Animals have been proven to make people feel better whenever they are in a state of depression or sadness. I like that this film confirms how dogs really can help humans deal with about life and its challenges, day by day. I identify with this film because I believe I have ADD and, whenever I come home, my dog makes me feel better and helps me focus with my homework. The camera work is okay, nothing terrific, but it works for this documentary. There are a variety of locations, mostly at the teenagers' houses, room or their neighborhood streets. It shows how service dogs and animal support dogs are helping people cope with mental illness and other issues. My favorite part was watching the bond between the dogs and their teenage owners. The message is that dogs are not only human's best friend, but human's best natural medication too. I give They're the Reason 5 out of 5 stars and recommended it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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MIKE CONNARIS Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - Benjamin Giroux, a 10 year old autistic boy from New York, wrote a poem called "I Am Odd" for a school project. The poem went viral and It inspired this song using Ben's lyrics. A talented young 2D animator, Rory Russell, was approached to tell Ben's story in a simple animated music video to help raise autistic awareness. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I love this film! Watching this completely made my day! It is so positive and uplifting. This student animated short is fantastic. The topic, inspired by a poem that went viral was written by a 10-year-old autistic boy, and is inspiring! The music that accompanies it is upbeat and celebratory. The animation starts out as illustrated black and white line drawings. As the boy is accepted more, he takes on color, as do his colleagues. Although the animation is not full range, with mostly still images of people whose mouths are the only moving parts, it doesn't seem to matter. It is so full of life! The message this film portrays is how autistic people are an important part of our universe. Celebrate them. I give I Am Odd 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! This student animated short is fantastic. The topic, inspired by a poem that went viral was written by a 10-year-old autistic boy, and is inspiring! The music that accompanies it is upbeat and celebratory. The animation starts out as illustrated black and white line drawings. As the boy is accepted more, he takes on color, as do his colleagues. Although the animation is not full range, with mostly still images of people whose mouths are the only moving parts, it doesn't seem to matter. It is so full of life! The message this film portrays is how autistic people are an important part of our universe. Celebrate them. I give I Am Odd 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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WAYNE BALTZ Series: SCREENPLAY, AGE 5-12 Topic - Family Description - POOF! is an imaginative, kids-scaled fantasy/adventure with splashes of comedy and drama throughout. Told from a kid's-eye-view, it takes place "in the neighborhood," and the only special effect is invisibility. This script is adapted from the 1st book of our published 3-title "Invisible Kid" book series (we own all rights) that we've been taking to elementary & middle schools for some years. Very popular with the 80,000 kids we've visited with! And at every appearance the most common, breathless question we hear is, "Are you going to make a movie of this?!" This live-action feature stands alone as a complete and satisfying story or, like our books, can be the 1st of a series of 3. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - There is so much to love about this script; it's worth letting it expand to its full potential. The presence of magic unleashes kids' ability to see beyond their world. It expands their perception of what's possible. For adults it does the same but it also carries the burden of hope, a hope beyond hope that transcends their life experience of constraint and limitation. A screenplay about magic needs to blow out those walls that keep us from believing. To do that, a writer can't let life limit him or her. This is drama. This is fantasy. A screenwriter has got to be unafraid of elevating the emotion that will capture the audience and make the story transcend the normal. This means the storyteller should almost have a presence. The narrator should find the situations Casey encounters just as amazing as she does. There should be more magic, more enthusiasm, in the narrative voice - not a wide-eyed magical tone but more anticipation. - a tone that sets up important scenes with greater tension. And pictures. Tell us the story in pictures. Ramp the tension with settings that feel uneasy. Make the lurking SUV scarier - even appearing in the background in scenes where it currently isn't included. Give us Casey's face at the beginning, enraptured by her TV screen; the stuttering blue light flashing on her wide eyes - maybe with spooky music - as the shadowy figure comes up the stairs. Again, look at the pictures Spielberg uses to set a scene before we even know what it's going to be about. Casey's arc. And at the end, Casey should finish her arc by being a changed person - someone different than the Casey who started. To a very great degree you have accomplished this. When Terence is in his shop, Casey does show us how magic has become a part of her understanding of life - that dreams do come true. It just needs to be a higher ending - more emotional. Of course, Terence, the Leprechaun has made everything work, but Casey and our understanding of how things work in life is altered - more inclusive of the possibility of magic. And we all need the possibility of magic in our lives. I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars, recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Juror #12, KIDS FIRST! And pictures. Tell us the story in pictures. Ramp the tension with settings that feel uneasy. Make the lurking SUV scarier - even appearing in the background in scenes where it currently isn't included. Give us Casey's face at the beginning, enraptured by her TV screen; the stuttering blue light flashing on her wide eyes - maybe with spooky music - as the shadowy figure comes up the stairs. Again, look at the pictures Spielberg uses to set a scene before we even know what it's going to be about. Casey's arc. And at the end, Casey should finish her arc by being a changed person - someone different than the Casey who started. To a very great degree you have accomplished this. When Terence is in his shop, Casey does show us how magic has become a part of her understanding of life - that dreams do come true. It just needs to be a higher ending - more emotional. Of course, Terence, the Leprechaun has made everything work, but Casey and our understanding of how things work in life is altered - more inclusive of the possibility of magic. And we all need the possibility of magic in our lives. I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars, recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Reviewed by Juror #12, KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Screenplay |
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SAMANTHA PICKETT Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - In this American Girl stop motion short movie, two friends go trick-or-treating, and they are in for a fright! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - A Halloween Sleepover is the perfect short to show in schools about trick or treating safety tips. Even though the clip is super short, it still teaches you to not go trick or treating by yourself or without adult supervision. I like how dolls are used in this project. I like the originality of this short film. This film is about two friends sleeping over on Halloween night. One of the girls (a doll) is dressed in a costume and she gets the idea of going trick or treating by themselves and without supervision of an adult. They go to the first house and get candy, but when they go to the second house they get scared by the owner. The lady tells them that the mom who is hosting the sleepover told her to scare the girls, because they went out without permission. The mom wanted to teach them a lesson. I like the message to younger kids. This short film is made by a 6th grader and they did great for such a short film and for little resources. I thought eh use of dolls is very original and unique, in this case The American Girl doll brand. The message is to not go trick or treating on your own. Always be accompanied by an adult. I give A Halloween Sleepover 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. This short film emphasizes safety on Halloween night. That is something every family should discuss with their children. By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! This film is about two friends sleeping over on Halloween night. One of the girls (a doll) is dressed in a costume and she gets the idea of going trick or treating by themselves and without supervision of an adult. They go to the first house and get candy, but when they go to the second house they get scared by the owner. The lady tells them that the mom who is hosting the sleepover told her to scare the girls, because they went out without permission. The mom wanted to teach them a lesson. I like the message to younger kids. This short film is made by a 6th grader and they did great for such a short film and for little resources. I thought eh use of dolls is very original and unique, in this case The American Girl doll brand. The message is to not go trick or treating on your own. Always be accompanied by an adult. I give A Halloween Sleepover 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. This short film emphasizes safety on Halloween night. That is something every family should discuss with their children. By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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THOMAS RAJAN Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 3-6 Topic - Family Description - Seven-year-old Esther got the company of a mother bird during her summer vacation. The film portrait the an unknown relationship between the bird and Esther which leads to some memorable events and finally end up with a very positive message. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Quite charming. I love how respectful the young girl is of the bird and the eggs. The storyline follows a 7-year-old girl who aids a mother bird by rescuing her fallen nest and adds a discovered egg from the park to it, which mama bird readily adopts. This silent short film expresses the respect that a young girl has for nature, from its opening scene. She offers her aid quite carefully, referring to books for guidance so she does the right thing. The camerawork is well executed, as is the audio. At times, the lighting is poor but it doesn't detract from the overall impact of the film. When the girl finds a fallen nest, she replaces it to its spot high above her front door. When she finds an egg at the park, she carefully puts it into her pocket and takes it home to place in the nest with the mother bird's other eggs. Her sweet attitude prevails throughout the film which is enhanced by background music that builds in its crescendo as the plot develops. At times it may seem a bit overly dramatic, but then again, life emerging before our very eyes is indeed dramatic. The message of this film is about respecting nature and aiding it only on an "as needed" basis. I give The Nest 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 6. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST! The storyline follows a 7-year-old girl who aids a mother bird by rescuing her fallen nest and adds a discovered egg from the park to it, which mama bird readily adopts. This silent short film expresses the respect that a young girl has for nature, from its opening scene. She offers her aid quite carefully, referring to books for guidance so she does the right thing. The camerawork is well executed, as is the audio. At times, the lighting is poor but it doesn't detract from the overall impact of the film. When the girl finds a fallen nest, she replaces it to its spot high above her front door. When she finds an egg at the park, she carefully puts it into her pocket and takes it home to place in the nest with the mother bird's other eggs. Her sweet attitude prevails throughout the film which is enhanced by background music that builds in its crescendo as the plot develops. At times it may seem a bit overly dramatic, but then again, life emerging before our very eyes is indeed dramatic. The message of this film is about respecting nature and aiding it only on an "as needed" basis. I give The Nest 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 6. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 3-6 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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STANLEY HECTOR Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 3-7 Topic - Family Description - Jump! is a tale of overcoming deep fears and conveying that on the other side of any challenge is an experience that will strengthen your character and stay with you for a lifetime. I remember being in a scout group during my early childhood days. It used to be Saturdays when I used to get most excited about wearing a scout uniform to the school. The beret cap along with a rope bundle on the waist and a whistle on the shirt's pocket not only motivated us to step out of our comfort zones, but also made us feel a sense of responsibility, of being just and lending out a helping hand whenever possible no matter the risk involved. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Jump is a very different film. It is also very brief. There is no dialogue, but it's clear what's going on. The storyline follows an Indian boy whose kite ends up in a tree. When he tries to rescue it, his problems multiply quickly, and he runs into a few problems while trying to do so. The storyline is cute and clever. The camerawork is well executed, nothing fancy, but clear and easy to follow. I like how it captures the boy in the forest by showing different shots of the boy in the tree from various angles. The little boy's outfit looks like a school uniform or a Boy Scout uniform. One thing that I like about how he problem-solves is how and collected he is. The background music is sort of uninspiring; it's a track of simple, repetitive sounds that work, but is sometimes annoying. The birds chirping and the different natural sounds in the woods with things falling from the trees was pretty cool and spot on. There is only one character and he drives the show. We think he's really up a creek when the ladder falls, but he proves that he can come up with a Plan B. My favorite part is the ending, but you'll have to watch it to see that. The message is that you sometimes have to face your fears to keep on going. It does show a kid doing something risky that kids might imitate when we see the boy climbing a tree without anyone else around. The ending also is a bit risky. I give Jump 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 7. By SaniyaRain F. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! The storyline follows an Indian boy whose kite ends up in a tree. When he tries to rescue it, his problems multiply quickly, and he runs into a few problems while trying to do so. The storyline is cute and clever. The camerawork is well executed, nothing fancy, but clear and easy to follow. I like how it captures the boy in the forest by showing different shots of the boy in the tree from various angles. The little boy's outfit looks like a school uniform or a Boy Scout uniform. One thing that I like about how he problem-solves is how and collected he is. The background music is sort of uninspiring; it's a track of simple, repetitive sounds that work, but is sometimes annoying. The birds chirping and the different natural sounds in the woods with things falling from the trees was pretty cool and spot on. There is only one character and he drives the show. We think he's really up a creek when the ladder falls, but he proves that he can come up with a Plan B. My favorite part is the ending, but you'll have to watch it to see that. The message is that you sometimes have to face your fears to keep on going. It does show a kid doing something risky that kids might imitate when we see the boy climbing a tree without anyone else around. The ending also is a bit risky. I give Jump 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 7. By SaniyaRain F. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 3-7 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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MAHMUT TAS Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-18 Topic - Family Description - A little girl lives in a village with her mother where water sources are dwindling by day. Drought effects her imagination, even her doodles and drawings. Not only people but the nature struggles with the unrelenting aridness. This little girl though, never loses hope. She tries to do as best she can, sacrificing from herself for her beloved nature. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - What is it about a movie from a very different culture, such as Cracked, from Turkey, that makes me feel connected to all human beings? Watching this little girl and her mother in a village where water sources are dwindling makes me feel care and connection for them and their community. I love this film. This short film unwinds in a foreign land where drought has cracked the earth like no other place I've ever seen. The set is amazing, with a small home in an arid mountain landscape. The story is told through repetitive action rather than language; and the soundscape of this vignette is of water being poured, dogs barking, birds singing and cattle braying. Otherwise there is only one piece of music, a classical piano, which takes us to the closing of the film with heart and heroism. The pace of Cracked is slow but, like a glass of water being poured, is sentient. Each scene is artistically choreographed to shed just a little light on the plight of people who are suffering due to climate change. The lack of narrative and interactivity between the mother and child gave me pause to wonder, why? As a dramatic short, the silences help build the meaningful story of what lays quietly within the heart of this little girl. My favorite part is when the girl runs across the parched land carrying a small vessel of water to water a plant that is flowering there, and the background music begins, the camera pulls away from her drawing to show us that she has drawn the same scene. Wonderful and hopeful. The lesson of this film is to be grateful for nature's beauty, even when it appears to exist only in small crevices of life. "If you give love, you will receive love, that's what makes this whole world go round." - BJ Thomas I give Cracked 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. By Nancy K. KIDS FIRST! This short film unwinds in a foreign land where drought has cracked the earth like no other place I've ever seen. The set is amazing, with a small home in an arid mountain landscape. The story is told through repetitive action rather than language; and the soundscape of this vignette is of water being poured, dogs barking, birds singing and cattle braying. Otherwise there is only one piece of music, a classical piano, which takes us to the closing of the film with heart and heroism. The pace of Cracked is slow but, like a glass of water being poured, is sentient. Each scene is artistically choreographed to shed just a little light on the plight of people who are suffering due to climate change. The lack of narrative and interactivity between the mother and child gave me pause to wonder, why? As a dramatic short, the silences help build the meaningful story of what lays quietly within the heart of this little girl. My favorite part is when the girl runs across the parched land carrying a small vessel of water to water a plant that is flowering there, and the background music begins, the camera pulls away from her drawing to show us that she has drawn the same scene. Wonderful and hopeful. The lesson of this film is to be grateful for nature's beauty, even when it appears to exist only in small crevices of life. "If you give love, you will receive love, that's what makes this whole world go round." - BJ Thomas I give Cracked 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. By Nancy K. KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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LISA PHA G Series: SCREENPLAY, AGES 8-14 Topic - Family Description - A gifted new student uses the power of animation to control his social anxiety and find a place to fit in among skater friends. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is a good first effort at trying to integrate healthy eating into everyday life, and the idea of using an animated / live action approach is a good one. But, it's not new and because of that it needs an approach that is completely compelling and eye-opening. KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This is a good first effort at trying to integrate healthy eating into everyday life, and the idea of using an animated / live action approach is a good one. But, it's not new and because of that it needs an approach that is completely compelling and eye-opening. KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: Screenplay |
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MADELEINE TOOMEY Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - A short animated film about crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a small sailboat and discovering that even where humans have not yet explored, trash usually finds a way of getting there first--even in the middle of the ocean. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - My Journey Across the Ocean is a PSA for children about protecting the ocean. The animation is simple; the narrator is a young girl who is passionate about the topic. When Madeleine Kelly Toomey was 13, she traveled for a year with her family on a small boat. While on her journey, she discovered just how much trash there is in in the ocean. Madeline describes how she helped pick up some of the trash and encourages audiences to do the same. The story is poignant and brings to the forefront the fact that, even in the middle of the ocean, there is a vast amount of trash. Madeleine was shocked to discover trash in every corner of the world and her message to the viewer is to mindful of your waste, change a few habits and YOU can be the change our oceans need. The animation is simple and well executed. The locations are well illustrated. The message is very clear and frightening. The background music is light and easy, nothing remarkable, but it works. The key character is Madeleine, the narrator, who grows from not being all that interested in living on a boat to working to save the ocean from trash and caring about our planet. Madeleine is the producer, director, and the narrator; the story is based on her personal experience. Her contribution in this area is outstanding. My favorite part is the ending - the fish floating around in trash and Madeleine narrating gives the viewer a wakeup call and wanting to do their part to help. The message is to pick up after yourselves, be mindful of your waste, change a few habit and save the ocean and its wildlife. I give My Journey Across the Ocean 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 16, plus adults. This would play well in any festival focused on oceans, ecology, and protecting the Earth and wildlife. Reviewed by Heather S. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! When Madeleine Kelly Toomey was 13, she traveled for a year with her family on a small boat. While on her journey, she discovered just how much trash there is in in the ocean. Madeline describes how she helped pick up some of the trash and encourages audiences to do the same. The story is poignant and brings to the forefront the fact that, even in the middle of the ocean, there is a vast amount of trash. Madeleine was shocked to discover trash in every corner of the world and her message to the viewer is to mindful of your waste, change a few habits and YOU can be the change our oceans need. The animation is simple and well executed. The locations are well illustrated. The message is very clear and frightening. The background music is light and easy, nothing remarkable, but it works. The key character is Madeleine, the narrator, who grows from not being all that interested in living on a boat to working to save the ocean from trash and caring about our planet. Madeleine is the producer, director, and the narrator; the story is based on her personal experience. Her contribution in this area is outstanding. My favorite part is the ending - the fish floating around in trash and Madeleine narrating gives the viewer a wakeup call and wanting to do their part to help. The message is to pick up after yourselves, be mindful of your waste, change a few habit and save the ocean and its wildlife. I give My Journey Across the Ocean 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 16, plus adults. This would play well in any festival focused on oceans, ecology, and protecting the Earth and wildlife. Reviewed by Heather S. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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ANA MARIA MEDICI Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - Maria Rivera is a little girl, with BIG dreams. With a handwritten letter, she expresses all the hope and inspiration she feels for her hero, the first female President of The United States. Representation within The White House teaches Maria, that she too, can be anything she dreams of. Dear Mrs. President reminds kids to carve out their own destiny, and boldly pursue their life's ambitions and dreams. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I love this short animated film and its pro girl message. This 3D animation shows a young girl of color, Maria Rivera, who writes a letter to the president , Mrs. President, who is the first woman president and thanks her for her position in making things more fair. She says how inspired she is, seeing this woman as a mom and wife, helping our country and the world. The animation is well executed; the message is spot on and definitely a wonderful message to young girls today. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. I love seeing how inspired the young girl is and I love the ending. The message of this film is to celebrate the idea of a woman President of the USA. I give this short film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! This 3D animation shows a young girl of color, Maria Rivera, who writes a letter to the president , Mrs. President, who is the first woman president and thanks her for her position in making things more fair. She says how inspired she is, seeing this woman as a mom and wife, helping our country and the world. The animation is well executed; the message is spot on and definitely a wonderful message to young girls today. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. I love seeing how inspired the young girl is and I love the ending. The message of this film is to celebrate the idea of a woman President of the USA. I give this short film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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DAHL LEE Series: FOREIGN ANIMATED SHORT, AGES 8-12 Topic - Family Description - In this world, there are dogs of superpowers. They are called 'PotenDogs'. PotenDogs are divided into two groups: 'Podongnet' that dreams peaceful coexistence with humans, and 'Goldfangs' that holds grudge against all mankind and try to rule them because of their memories of being hurt and mistreated by humans. One day, 'Kai', a member of 'Podongnet', and 'Wonseok', a boy who wants a dog of his own find each other by chance and decide to work as partners. Kai considers humans weak and untrustworthy, yet has no choice but to ask Wonseok to pretend to be his human companion while performing his mission. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is an outstanding pilot of PotenDogs! I love how the young boy, Wonseok's, love of dogs gets him a companion dog to infiltrate the bad dogs. I can see why dogs would want to rebel against their owners from the way some of them are treated. Dogs, in real life, may not think or act like humans, but they definitely understand what is going on around them. Wonseok's (singer-actor, Jun Suk Kyong Sook Kyeong Jeon) love of dogs allows him to communicate with one of the PotenDogs, who give him the chance to become his companion so that he can infiltrate the GoldFangs that are biting ordinary dogs. The story addresses togetherness and bonding with Wonseok and Kai. Wonseok goes from being a lonely kid, looking at dogs at pet stores, wishing for one of his own, to talking to a brown dog, Kai, (Choi Seok Pil) who he later finds out is a PotenDog (dogs with superpowers that need a companion to infiltrate the bad dogs). I love the animation; it's simple, easy, fluid and very realistic. I like how each animal represents each member of the dog pound family. The visual effects are effective and believable, especially when Kai communicates with the other PotenDogs. I love the songs; they are very cool! My favorite is the song sung by the dog catchers, but all the song and dance numbers are catchy, especially those with the dog pound family. I like the costumes worn by the dog pound family; their outfits represent the different animals they represent. I also like the characters' various hair colors, which totally works with this story. Kai knows Wonseok has an innate love of dogs from the look of his room, which is overflowing with dog-related items and books. I also love Wonseok's daydreams of wanting a pet dog. There is some well-known talent in this show: South Korean actor-singer Jun Suk Kyong who plays Wonseok; Choi Seok Pil (Kai). The message of this film is that dogs ought to be respected or there will be consequences (not take over the world consequences). Be aware that it does show kids doing risky things that kids might imitate such as when Wonseok falls out of a window. Also there is some pet abused such as when one of the dog owners kicks his dog at the show and another one makes fun of the dog. I give PotenDogs 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. The dialogue is in Korean with English subtitles, so kids need to be able to read to enjoy it. Reviewed by Connie C., KIDS FIRST! Wonseok's (singer-actor, Jun Suk Kyong Sook Kyeong Jeon) love of dogs allows him to communicate with one of the PotenDogs, who give him the chance to become his companion so that he can infiltrate the GoldFangs that are biting ordinary dogs. The story addresses togetherness and bonding with Wonseok and Kai. Wonseok goes from being a lonely kid, looking at dogs at pet stores, wishing for one of his own, to talking to a brown dog, Kai, (Choi Seok Pil) who he later finds out is a PotenDog (dogs with superpowers that need a companion to infiltrate the bad dogs). I love the animation; it's simple, easy, fluid and very realistic. I like how each animal represents each member of the dog pound family. The visual effects are effective and believable, especially when Kai communicates with the other PotenDogs. I love the songs; they are very cool! My favorite is the song sung by the dog catchers, but all the song and dance numbers are catchy, especially those with the dog pound family. I like the costumes worn by the dog pound family; their outfits represent the different animals they represent. I also like the characters' various hair colors, which totally works with this story. Kai knows Wonseok has an innate love of dogs from the look of his room, which is overflowing with dog-related items and books. I also love Wonseok's daydreams of wanting a pet dog. There is some well-known talent in this show: South Korean actor-singer Jun Suk Kyong who plays Wonseok; Choi Seok Pil (Kai). The message of this film is that dogs ought to be respected or there will be consequences (not take over the world consequences). Be aware that it does show kids doing risky things that kids might imitate such as when Wonseok falls out of a window. Also there is some pet abused such as when one of the dog owners kicks his dog at the show and another one makes fun of the dog. I give PotenDogs 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. The dialogue is in Korean with English subtitles, so kids need to be able to read to enjoy it. Reviewed by Connie C., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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JEREMY NORTHCOTE Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-8 Topic - Family Description - Jive along with Mountain Bear as he cheers on Merry Bella in her match-up with the boys in basketball and soccer! Remember, you're the leyenda with the swagger of the mountain bear! KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This short music video has a terrific message but I can't say I love the voice of the singer. The storyline follows Merry Bella in her match up with boys in basketball and soccer as she is coached by Mountain Bear. The animation is pretty well executed. I'm impressed that it uses freely available 3D animation technology, which allows a filmmaker to create something without having to purchase exorbitantly expensive software. The story is well developed and the lyrics are inspiring. I'm just not fond of the singer's voice, which seems a bit cloying to me. Still, it works for this short video. The message is an inspiring one for young people to be their own star in the sky. I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! The storyline follows Merry Bella in her match up with boys in basketball and soccer as she is coached by Mountain Bear. The animation is pretty well executed. I'm impressed that it uses freely available 3D animation technology, which allows a filmmaker to create something without having to purchase exorbitantly expensive software. The story is well developed and the lyrics are inspiring. I'm just not fond of the singer's voice, which seems a bit cloying to me. Still, it works for this short video. The message is an inspiring one for young people to be their own star in the sky. I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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HAO-WEI TIMOTHY CHANG Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 5-10 Topic - Family Description - Foiled is a family comedy about ten-year-old Dylan and his younger brother Cody who accidentally rip their best friend's baseball card. They must fix it otherwise they'll lose their best friend and never get to play baseball again. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Foiled is a modern, relatable film with its main focus being on baseball cards. There is a clear, important theme and the plot takes twists you might not expect. If you want a contemporary short film that dives into important lessons, using a kid-friendly example, this film's for you. Mike (Nikolai Kalajdzic) gets an ultra-rare baseball card signed by his and Dylan's (Ethan Jung) idol. With Dylan's begging, Mike reluctantly lets him borrow it for the day. When Dylan's brother, Cody (Jack Stasica) rips the card while trying to steal it from Dylan he and Dylan race against the clock to try to fix it so the rip isn't visible. After tons of plans gone wrong, the precious baseball card is in worse shape than it was before. What will the brothers do? Will Mike be forgiving or will this end much worse than it started? The story is very well written. The main plot is strong and develops in way that isn't too predictable. I wish that some of the background characters could have had more interesting parts, as they didn't get to shine. The cinematography is well done. The sets and locations are pretty basic and suit the film. There are only a few locations, including a baseball dugout and a bedroom. The background music works very well. The characters are well developed. The actors give believable performances. The best part is the storyline and I applaud the writers for a great script. in this area. The message in this film is that if you just tell the truth, it makes sticky situations a lot easier to deal with than if you don't. I give Foiled 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 10, plus adults. Reviewed by Kyla C., KIDS FIRST! Mike (Nikolai Kalajdzic) gets an ultra-rare baseball card signed by his and Dylan's (Ethan Jung) idol. With Dylan's begging, Mike reluctantly lets him borrow it for the day. When Dylan's brother, Cody (Jack Stasica) rips the card while trying to steal it from Dylan he and Dylan race against the clock to try to fix it so the rip isn't visible. After tons of plans gone wrong, the precious baseball card is in worse shape than it was before. What will the brothers do? Will Mike be forgiving or will this end much worse than it started? The story is very well written. The main plot is strong and develops in way that isn't too predictable. I wish that some of the background characters could have had more interesting parts, as they didn't get to shine. The cinematography is well done. The sets and locations are pretty basic and suit the film. There are only a few locations, including a baseball dugout and a bedroom. The background music works very well. The characters are well developed. The actors give believable performances. The best part is the storyline and I applaud the writers for a great script. in this area. The message in this film is that if you just tell the truth, it makes sticky situations a lot easier to deal with than if you don't. I give Foiled 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 10, plus adults. Reviewed by Kyla C., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-10 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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ALAN CHRIEST / POWERSPASH PROJECT Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - When storms arise and the ground is uncertain, let the light within you be your guide. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I like All In Our Hands! It is a very mellow music video with calming visuals and a heartwarming song. The film is a montage of lighthouses by the ocean side, on top of cliffs and isolated beaches. The lyrics describe how the whole world is in our hands. The cinematography is wonderful. The visuals are high quality with impressive and inspiring locations. All the shots are beautiful. The music and the visuals go hand in hand. We see sunsets and sunrises, waves and light beams from the lighthouses. The lyrics guide audiences by its upbeat message against a musical background of mostly guitar music and vocals. Congratulations to director Alan J. Chriest works for creating such an inspiring piece. My favorite part is the song, the melody and the singing. The message is to remind viewers how beautiful the world is, make us feel grateful for that, and remember that taking care of the world is in our hands. I give All In Our Hands 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. This would make a great addition to any film festival focusing on the Earth and taking care of our natural surroundings. Reviewed by Heather S., KIDS FIRST! The film is a montage of lighthouses by the ocean side, on top of cliffs and isolated beaches. The lyrics describe how the whole world is in our hands. The cinematography is wonderful. The visuals are high quality with impressive and inspiring locations. All the shots are beautiful. The music and the visuals go hand in hand. We see sunsets and sunrises, waves and light beams from the lighthouses. The lyrics guide audiences by its upbeat message against a musical background of mostly guitar music and vocals. Congratulations to director Alan J. Chriest works for creating such an inspiring piece. My favorite part is the song, the melody and the singing. The message is to remind viewers how beautiful the world is, make us feel grateful for that, and remember that taking care of the world is in our hands. I give All In Our Hands 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. This would make a great addition to any film festival focusing on the Earth and taking care of our natural surroundings. Reviewed by Heather S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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EMA POPOSKA Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-18 Topic - Family Description - We are the only planet with oceans, and they are indispensable for our survival. However, many people are unaware of the importance of ocean creatures and how to protect them. This is because they don't really see them every day. Sea creatures are just lunch or dinner or an ingredient in cosmetics. Young scuba diver Ema Poposka believes if people could see the beauty of the ocean and of the corals, they will change their minds about sea protection. This inspired her to join Action for a Cause to produce a documentary film about Hong Kong corals. Ema's aim with the documentary film made by kids is to raise awareness about the uniqueness of Hong Kong corals, the need to start taking care of corals, and how we can do this in our everyday life. This documentary was made by a crew of 12-15 year old students. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Get ready to dive into the ocean depths of Hong Kong when you watch The Living Sea. The coral in these seas are struggling to survive because of warmer water and large amounts of waste. Learn how climate change is affecting this species and what you can do to stop it. The Living Sea is an interesting short film that is a perfect fit for anyone who likes coral or people who want to learn more about ocean life. The underwater views are very cool as they bring you up close to the sea life. Interesting visuals, such as maps and graphs, are used to help you understand where you are and the scientists and activists that are interviewed are informative and engaging. This is a documentary that offers lots of informative. At the beginning, there is a bit of a backstory about the narrator, which definitely adds to the film's entertainment quality. The underwater views are one of the strongest aspects of this film as it shows us many colorful and cool looking coral as well as a pretty, blue ocean. Along with the constantly beautiful close ups of the coral there are magnificent views of the mountains surrounding Hong Kong. The shots really capture the beauty of the mountains and the river snaking through them. The shots of the water reflecting the mountains are some of the best images I've ever laid my eyes on. The locations are captivating; even during some of the interviews there are lakes and mountains in the background. The sets in the labs where experiments with the coral take place are a cool addition to the film. The key people in this film are the narrator and the people interviewed. They keep it interesting and entertaining, plus they give good advice on how to protect coral and other sea life. The underwater views, combined with the interesting and educational narrative, are my favorite parts of this film. It is a truly spectacular combination. There are many sad truths revealed in this film, like how all coral could be extinct by 2050 if we don't do anything to prevent that. So the message is that reducing waste, lessening our carbon footprint and conclusively helping corals, is a very important cause. I give The Living Sea 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. This is an interesting and entertaining watch that I highly recommend. Reviewed by Kyla C., KIDS FIRST! The Living Sea is an interesting short film that is a perfect fit for anyone who likes coral or people who want to learn more about ocean life. The underwater views are very cool as they bring you up close to the sea life. Interesting visuals, such as maps and graphs, are used to help you understand where you are and the scientists and activists that are interviewed are informative and engaging. This is a documentary that offers lots of informative. At the beginning, there is a bit of a backstory about the narrator, which definitely adds to the film's entertainment quality. The underwater views are one of the strongest aspects of this film as it shows us many colorful and cool looking coral as well as a pretty, blue ocean. Along with the constantly beautiful close ups of the coral there are magnificent views of the mountains surrounding Hong Kong. The shots really capture the beauty of the mountains and the river snaking through them. The shots of the water reflecting the mountains are some of the best images I've ever laid my eyes on. The locations are captivating; even during some of the interviews there are lakes and mountains in the background. The sets in the labs where experiments with the coral take place are a cool addition to the film. The key people in this film are the narrator and the people interviewed. They keep it interesting and entertaining, plus they give good advice on how to protect coral and other sea life. The underwater views, combined with the interesting and educational narrative, are my favorite parts of this film. It is a truly spectacular combination. There are many sad truths revealed in this film, like how all coral could be extinct by 2050 if we don't do anything to prevent that. So the message is that reducing waste, lessening our carbon footprint and conclusively helping corals, is a very important cause. I give The Living Sea 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. This is an interesting and entertaining watch that I highly recommend. Reviewed by Kyla C., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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ANNA LOBACHEVA Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 3-6 Topic - Family Description - The animated series touches upon the problem of self-identification of children born in mixed-race families, using the example of a 5-year-old girl named Zabezoo, whose mother is a rabbit doe and father is a monkey. Zabezoo gazed at her grandparents' family photos for a very long time. When she looked in the mirror She couldn't get this one big question out her mind. The storyline follows Zaebezoo, the protagonist, who wants to know if she is a monkey or a bunny. So Zaebezoo goes around asking both of her parents which one she is and, in the end, she finds out that she does not have to be told or choose. I like that the story has a purpose and that, in the end, the main character learns something. The 2D animation is cute and adorable. The little costumes fit the characters personalities so well and they also fit the storyline. There are different locations, which is another reason why I like it. Zaebezoo's house and front yard are very detailed. The music in the story seems to be spot on. There are visual effects when Zaebezoo is thinking about all the different foods and it looks cool. There are four characters in this short: the bully is the guy who made Zaebezoo insecure in the first place; the dad is part monkey and tells her that she is a monkey first; the mom is a bunny who tells her that she is a bunny first. There is character development with Zaebezoo where she realizes that she does not have to be a bunny or a monkey; she can be both. She realizes this when she sees a sun shower for the first time. I learned that I can be more than one thing if I want to be. My favorite part is when Zaebezoo finds out that she can just be herself, which is more than one thing. The message is to be who you want and don't question yourself because of others. I give Bunny or Monkey 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 6. SaniyaRain F., KIDS FIRST The storyline follows Zaebezoo, the protagonist, who wants to know if she is a monkey or a bunny. So Zaebezoo goes around asking both of her parents which one she is and, in the end, she finds out that she does not have to be told or choose. I like that the story has a purpose and that, in the end, the main character learns something. The 2D animation is cute and adorable. The little costumes fit the characters personalities so well and they also fit the storyline. There are different locations, which is another reason why I like it. Zaebezoo's house and front yard are very detailed. The music in the story seems to be spot on. There are visual effects when Zaebezoo is thinking about all the different foods and it looks cool. There are four characters in this short: the bully is the guy who made Zaebezoo insecure in the first place; the dad is part monkey and tells her that she is a monkey first; the mom is a bunny who tells her that she is a bunny first. There is character development with Zaebezoo where she realizes that she does not have to be a bunny or a monkey; she can be both. She realizes this when she sees a sun shower for the first time. I learned that I can be more than one thing if I want to be. My favorite part is when Zaebezoo finds out that she can just be herself, which is more than one thing. The message is to be who you want and don't question yourself because of others. I give Bunny or Monkey 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 6. SaniyaRain F., KIDS FIRST KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 3-6 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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BRYN WRIGHT Series: STUDENT SHORT, AGES 5-12 Topic - Family Description - Ten-year-old Bryn made a claymation movie about the importance of using "natural solutions for your bug problems" - something she's passionate about. The idea came after one of her "grub hunting" sessions (she loves gathering grubs for the birds and lizards). She loves gardening almost as much as animation, so it was a perfect fit. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I love this little claymation short by a ten year old. The film offers natural solutions to bug problems. It is made using claymation and very cleverly so. The voice over is pretty good, and the narrator's voice clearly enunciates. My biggest complaint is that I wish it was longer. I think it's very clever and smart. The message is about using natural solutions rather than pesticides to deal with bugs in your garden. I give Bad Bugs 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! It is made using claymation and very cleverly so. The voice over is pretty good, and the narrator's voice clearly enunciates. My biggest complaint is that I wish it was longer. I think it's very clever and smart. The message is about using natural solutions rather than pesticides to deal with bugs in your garden. I give Bad Bugs 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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ALEX WALKER Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 3-10 Topic - Family Description - It's a beautiful day on Keiki Island. Embers the Dragon wakes in his cave and things immediately start to go wrong. His mum hurries him out of bed, his brother Blaze winds him up and, to top it all off, everyone he meets on his walk to school makes things worse. Maybe Mrs Owl and the magical Keiki tree can help him put things right. Join Embers and his friends as they learn all about the big things we call emotions and how they effect the way we act, how we feel about ourselves and how we feel about others. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - What a delightful short film this is. It's filled with great lessons for young ones, without feeling overly preachy. Embers is so like many preschoolers; he's very well conceived. The story follows Embers the Dragon on a typical day where everything seems to go wrong, starting with being awakened by his mom, to bumping into his friend on the way to school and making him drop his lunch, to hurting the feelings of a bee. Fortunately, his teacher, Mrs. Owl sees how his day is going and intervenes, helping him figure out what's up. The animation is quite colorful and fun. All of the characters are very distinctive, and well executed. Embers is cute as can be. Mrs. Owl, the teacher, appears as insightful and kind. Embers' character development, even in this 6 minute clip is quite impressive. I love that the story is focused on identifying Embers' issues and finding ways to resolve them in a short period of time. I would love to see the rest of this series as it develops. The message is about recognizing your feelings and learning how to deal with them. I give Embers the Dragon: Hurry Up Embers! 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 6, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! The story follows Embers the Dragon on a typical day where everything seems to go wrong, starting with being awakened by his mom, to bumping into his friend on the way to school and making him drop his lunch, to hurting the feelings of a bee. Fortunately, his teacher, Mrs. Owl sees how his day is going and intervenes, helping him figure out what's up. The animation is quite colorful and fun. All of the characters are very distinctive, and well executed. Embers is cute as can be. Mrs. Owl, the teacher, appears as insightful and kind. Embers' character development, even in this 6 minute clip is quite impressive. I love that the story is focused on identifying Embers' issues and finding ways to resolve them in a short period of time. I would love to see the rest of this series as it develops. The message is about recognizing your feelings and learning how to deal with them. I give Embers the Dragon: Hurry Up Embers! 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 6, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 3-10 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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SOREN FLENG Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 8-12 Topic - Family Description - A cute little frog lands right in the middle of the little frog family's dinner. At first, he is adorable, but soon he turned upside down by it all. Can a Little Frog really be that badly behaved? KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Oh my, what a tale. I love the animation and the wacky storyline, but let's hope that children don't replicate Little Frog's behavior. At first he seems adorable, but as time goes by, he turns out to be an absolute nightmare. I love the animation. It's fanciful and fun, from the snow-covered rooftops at the beginning to the interior of the Frog Family's house and more. The frog's behavior quickly moves from cute to horrific, as he seems intent on destroying everything in his path. The family takes him to therapy, blame themselves for his behavior and eventually Little Frog hops on a train and travels far away, ending up on a mountain top consulting a shaman with long white hair and beard. But, that doesn't work out so well either. The ending is splendid and possibly reminds you of actual people whose behavior took them to a similar place. The message here is that you never know what's down the road for even the oddest people (or frogs). I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, due to the fact that the dialog is in Danish with English subtitles. You have to be able to read to enjoy this, unless you speak or understand Danish. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! The message here is that you never know what's down the road for even the oddest people (or frogs). I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, due to the fact that the dialog is in Danish with English subtitles. You have to be able to read to enjoy this, unless you speak or understand Danish. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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ANDREW HUXLEY MILLER Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 2-10 Topic - Family Description - A North Pole Elf must deliver a gift which never was placed on the Sleigh. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - To Betsy, From Santa is very heartwarming and gets you into the Christmas mood. It's long enough to understand, but short enough to hold your attention. The storyline is about Mira, an elf from the North Pole, who is sent to deliver a very special present to a girl named Betsy whose present was left off the sleigh. This is a very sweet, uplifting, feel good story. However, the beginning is a bit confusing because there is nothing that informs us about why this is all taking place. As it develops, it's easy to figure out what happened. The camerawork is pretty good, although the lighting is not good at all and most of it is very dark. It does not appear to be in high definition either. The costumes and set are very workable. Mira's elf costume is a bit under stated perhaps. The background music is Christmas music and is only present during the beginning and at the end. The strongest performance is from Madison Steiner who plays Mira. Her cheerful interpretation of an elf is very believable. Betsy's father, played by Ryan Thomas Harris, also has a good performance as you can feel how he cares for daughter, Betsy. Angelina Biron, who plays Betsy, is cute as a button although her performance is pretty bland. My biggest issue is that this film appears pretty grainy and I suspect it is not high definition, which would make it unavailable for play in theaters, but it would work for virtual screenings. My favorite part is the ending because it is very happy and heartwarming, but I can't tell you what happens. The message is to work hard for those you care about and believe in magic. I give To Betsy, From Santa 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 10. It will make people happy, especially those that celebrate Christmas. By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! The storyline is about Mira, an elf from the North Pole, who is sent to deliver a very special present to a girl named Betsy whose present was left off the sleigh. This is a very sweet, uplifting, feel good story. However, the beginning is a bit confusing because there is nothing that informs us about why this is all taking place. As it develops, it's easy to figure out what happened. The camerawork is pretty good, although the lighting is not good at all and most of it is very dark. It does not appear to be in high definition either. The costumes and set are very workable. Mira's elf costume is a bit under stated perhaps. The background music is Christmas music and is only present during the beginning and at the end. The strongest performance is from Madison Steiner who plays Mira. Her cheerful interpretation of an elf is very believable. Betsy's father, played by Ryan Thomas Harris, also has a good performance as you can feel how he cares for daughter, Betsy. Angelina Biron, who plays Betsy, is cute as a button although her performance is pretty bland. My biggest issue is that this film appears pretty grainy and I suspect it is not high definition, which would make it unavailable for play in theaters, but it would work for virtual screenings. My favorite part is the ending because it is very happy and heartwarming, but I can't tell you what happens. The message is to work hard for those you care about and believe in magic. I give To Betsy, From Santa 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 10. It will make people happy, especially those that celebrate Christmas. By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 2-10 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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HASAN NAJMABADI Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGE 6-18 Topic - Family Description - Six teenage boys in a remote village decide to work in the village cages to rent an 8 mm projector from a tour guide in order to raise the money they need to rent a projector. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Aparat is so meaningful! I am inspired by how movies and television shows can bring people from all over the world together. Stories connect people across languages and cultures. But, seeing a film is not always possible. The boys in the story work so hard to be able to watch just one film and succeeding brings them so much joy! Aparat is the story of six boys in the Middle East who go on a journey to rent a movie projector. They start off collecting iron and wires for hours to trade it in for a single DVD. One day they come across a movie projector but the rent is outrageous. Will they ever get to watch the movie? I love how all of the boys work together to get the movie and how grateful they are to have the opportunity to watch it. The camera work is very still, creating a sense of calm and highlighting the professional work. There are multiple shots in each scene to bring dimension to the story. The location is amazing! The landscape and houses convey the resources the kids have and the real challenge they face meeting their simple goal. The actors express deep emotions such as disappointment and joy through facial expressions and tone of voice. Despite being different in age, they seem like a team. The director is an Iranian filmmaker who has made many short films in different genres. My favorite moment in the film is at the very end. The filmmaker is very clever in how he handled the ending. This film connects the audience with and also allows people to see kids living in a different part of the world with different resources. The message is that stories, especially those told via film, can bring people together no matter where they are in the world. I give Aparat 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Nyara A., KIDS FIRST! Aparat is the story of six boys in the Middle East who go on a journey to rent a movie projector. They start off collecting iron and wires for hours to trade it in for a single DVD. One day they come across a movie projector but the rent is outrageous. Will they ever get to watch the movie? I love how all of the boys work together to get the movie and how grateful they are to have the opportunity to watch it. The camera work is very still, creating a sense of calm and highlighting the professional work. There are multiple shots in each scene to bring dimension to the story. The location is amazing! The landscape and houses convey the resources the kids have and the real challenge they face meeting their simple goal. The actors express deep emotions such as disappointment and joy through facial expressions and tone of voice. Despite being different in age, they seem like a team. The director is an Iranian filmmaker who has made many short films in different genres. My favorite moment in the film is at the very end. The filmmaker is very clever in how he handled the ending. This film connects the audience with and also allows people to see kids living in a different part of the world with different resources. The message is that stories, especially those told via film, can bring people together no matter where they are in the world. I give Aparat 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Nyara A., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 6-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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PAUL ZEHRER Series: INDIE DOCUMENTARY, AGES 6-18 Topic - Family Description - Parents and teachers around the world struggle with their kids' dependence on devices today. As Covid has forced our kids to rely on technology more than ever, "#KidsOnTech" looks at the impact on children's developing bodies and brains, and asks: "How might we better prepare our kids for this digital world?" Voices from India to the U.S., France to China, Mexico to Japan explore what children need to truly excel in a future dominated by tech, including a Google designer, a German brain scientist, and New York Times journalist, Matt Richtel, whose story on a Silicon Valley school created an international media frenzy. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - #KidsOnTech is one of the most enthralling documentaries I've ever seen. It's quite thought-provoking and makes you reconsider the implications of the time you spend on screens and whether that's truly safe. The documentary discusses the effects of technology on children. I like the content of this documentary; it is very informative, especially the explanation about what kids lose out on when they use technology. I also like how the film first explores younger children and works its way up to the effects on older children and teenagers. The camerawork is quite suitable and smartly focuses on each subject at a time. The scene showing children making videos, rather than watching them, was particularly well done. The sets and locations are very suitable; the setting at a tech-free school stood out to me because it is such a unique idea. The background music is well used as segues between scenes. The subjects interviewed are varied in terms of age and background, from teens to adults, developmental psychologists and parents. All of them introduce interesting perspectives and are fully realized people. I commend the director for keeping the film cohesive. A film with such a broad topic easily could feel disjointed and disconnected, but director keeps the film well focused while keeping the film engaging. The film addresses early childhood development and how technology might impact a developing brain. My favorite part of the film is the ending, which encourages parents to take an active role in their child's development. I like this documentary because it is so informative and eye-opening, especially to teenagers. We are the first generation to have this amount of technology and there are so many things we don't know about it and its effects on children. The message of the film is a warning of potential dangers of technology. I give #KidsOnTech 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18, plus adults. By Sandrine A., KIDS FIRST! The documentary discusses the effects of technology on children. I like the content of this documentary; it is very informative, especially the explanation about what kids lose out on when they use technology. I also like how the film first explores younger children and works its way up to the effects on older children and teenagers. The camerawork is quite suitable and smartly focuses on each subject at a time. The scene showing children making videos, rather than watching them, was particularly well done. The sets and locations are very suitable; the setting at a tech-free school stood out to me because it is such a unique idea. The background music is well used as segues between scenes. The subjects interviewed are varied in terms of age and background, from teens to adults, developmental psychologists and parents. All of them introduce interesting perspectives and are fully realized people. I commend the director for keeping the film cohesive. A film with such a broad topic easily could feel disjointed and disconnected, but director keeps the film well focused while keeping the film engaging. The film addresses early childhood development and how technology might impact a developing brain. My favorite part of the film is the ending, which encourages parents to take an active role in their child's development. I like this documentary because it is so informative and eye-opening, especially to teenagers. We are the first generation to have this amount of technology and there are so many things we don't know about it and its effects on children. The message of the film is a warning of potential dangers of technology. I give #KidsOnTech 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 18, plus adults. By Sandrine A., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 6-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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IN THE LOOP PROGRAM OF SUCCESS Series: INDIE SHORT, AGE 8-18 Topic - Family Description - The Catcher is a cinematic youth to youth mirror showing how young people view homelessness and their peers. Daphne learns a hard lesson about judging a book by its cover while Zoe and Sabrina realize they are both "catching." KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - The Catcher is a terrific short film. I especially like the acting and twist at the end. The authenticity of this film hits the mark when it comes to setting up its message and spinning it on itself to give viewers an "aha" moment. In an attempt to draw attention to the dilemma of homelessness, the professor at this high school teaches students the importance of being a "catcher" - someone who takes a stand for others having a hard time and catching them as they fall through the cracks. People need to be caught for different reasons - homelessness, poverty, joblessness and similar. This film is a great example of how organizing people towards a common goal to assist those in need can, and will, make a difference in this world. The Catcher flows well as it immediately establishes the bonds between students that care about each other. This interracial friendship has a cinematographic component, with medium close-ups of its actors whispering to each other and facial reactions to each other's comments. It's also a reminder to not be surprised that the person who needs care the most does not fit the demographic you thought they might. The message of this film is that there is no one group of people that will experience homelessness in this world. We are all subject to tragedy and loss, and the way to prevent the devastating consequences of tragedy is to get the support from compassionate, caring people. I give The Catcher 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. By Nancy K., KIDS FIRST! In an attempt to draw attention to the dilemma of homelessness, the professor at this high school teaches students the importance of being a "catcher" - someone who takes a stand for others having a hard time and catching them as they fall through the cracks. People need to be caught for different reasons - homelessness, poverty, joblessness and similar. This film is a great example of how organizing people towards a common goal to assist those in need can, and will, make a difference in this world. The Catcher flows well as it immediately establishes the bonds between students that care about each other. This interracial friendship has a cinematographic component, with medium close-ups of its actors whispering to each other and facial reactions to each other's comments. It's also a reminder to not be surprised that the person who needs care the most does not fit the demographic you thought they might. The message of this film is that there is no one group of people that will experience homelessness in this world. We are all subject to tragedy and loss, and the way to prevent the devastating consequences of tragedy is to get the support from compassionate, caring people. I give The Catcher 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. By Nancy K., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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IN THE LOOP PROGRAM OF SUCCESS Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - This documentary addresses how dress code policies negatively impacts black girls in DC public and charter schools. With the help of the National Women's Law Center, twenty one girls co-authored a report, Dress Coded: Black girls, bodies, and bias in DC Schools, which lead to the making of the film. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This short film gives us a window on what school dress code policies do to self-esteem and cultural perceptions in Washington DC schools where black girls are more than 20 times more likely to be suspended for inappropriate dress than white girls. The film follows a diverse group of black girls speaking telling stories about how discriminatory forced uniform wearing is that neither fits their cultural style or their body types. Each girl explains why the uniforms are a tough call for them - from being overweight to sexy and curvy. The girls speak about how they feel judged and the frustrations they have trying to buy new shirts and tone down their "eye catching" figures to fit into the mainstream. I love the powerful women shown here and hats off to the director for giving a voice to this issue; it's one that crosses state lines to the gender issue at large. The production values of this film are good; lots of steady camera close-ups of girls in various spaces around the school. The audio varies a little, but it's entirely watchable. The music softly weaves in and out of the interviews and fits perfectly, never competing. The message is that dress code policy needs to serve the function of making all students feel comfortable at school and not compete with studies or social discourse. There are solutions such as the administration talking with the students about why they are uncomfortable and work out a solution. I give Clothed Minds 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Nancy K., KIDS FIRST! The film follows a diverse group of black girls speaking telling stories about how discriminatory forced uniform wearing is that neither fits their cultural style or their body types. Each girl explains why the uniforms are a tough call for them - from being overweight to sexy and curvy. The girls speak about how they feel judged and the frustrations they have trying to buy new shirts and tone down their "eye catching" figures to fit into the mainstream. I love the powerful women shown here and hats off to the director for giving a voice to this issue; it's one that crosses state lines to the gender issue at large. The production values of this film are good; lots of steady camera close-ups of girls in various spaces around the school. The audio varies a little, but it's entirely watchable. The music softly weaves in and out of the interviews and fits perfectly, never competing. The message is that dress code policy needs to serve the function of making all students feel comfortable at school and not compete with studies or social discourse. There are solutions such as the administration talking with the students about why they are uncomfortable and work out a solution. I give Clothed Minds 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Nancy K., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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TOM CAVANAUGH Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 8-12 Topic - Family Description - Two brothers decide that they want to camp out in a tent in their backyard one night when their over-active imaginations get the best of them. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This makes a fun horror genre film for younger kids. The ending is a bit predictable, but it's all in good fun. The storyline follows two brothers and their dad, who tells them the tale of General Dewey whose ghost lives in the hills around them, as they prepare for their first camp out in the back yard. The opening shot is a bit misleading since it doesn't really have anything to do with the rest of the film. The storyline is well developed, as are the characters of the two boys and the dad. The camerawork is well executed; the audio has some issues at times, particular with some outdoor shots that have lots of wind noise. The boys are really the key talent here and both actors play them believably well. As we get to the climax of the film, with the wind howling, owls hooting, cut-aways to Civil War The message of this film is that things are always what they appear to be and "don't trust your dad." I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Reviewed by Juror #7 The opening shot is a bit misleading since it doesn't really have anything to do with the rest of the film. The storyline is well developed, as are the characters of the two boys and the dad. The camerawork is well executed; the audio has some issues at times, particular with some outdoor shots that have lots of wind noise. The boys are really the key talent here and both actors play them believably well. As we get to the climax of the film, with the wind howling, owls hooting, cut-aways to Civil War The message of this film is that things are always what they appear to be and "don't trust your dad." I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Reviewed by Juror #7 KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
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MICHAEL RASO Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 8-18 Topic - Family Description - A young boy is admitted to hospital for lifesaving treatment. He befriend's a young Indian girl who hopes a cure is found to save him before it's too late. KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - My Gift is so heartbreaking and yet, so tender and heartwarming. Each scene is well-filmed and made me want to cry. The characters are excellently developed, and the warmth and chemistry between the two leads really enhance the story. My only, minor complaint, is that the dialogue is a bit stilted at times. The story is about the friendship between a young boy and girl during a hospital stay. The storyline is incredible. The writer's decision to begin with a flash forward strengthens the overall film and pulls the viewer in instantly, making the end reveal even more heart-wrenching. The climax shocked me, but is so well revealed that I almost cried. The camera work is well executed; while it doesn't use any flashy tricks, the simplicity makes the film feel almost like a documentary and it's even more impactful. The close-up at the beginning is particularly impressive. The sets and locations are all well selected and suit the story. The rugby game in the field provides a nice contrast to the rest of the story which takes place in a hospital. The two boys, Josh (Luke Hoogendyk) and Alia (Ridhi Prasad) are exceptionally portrayed; their reactions feel very real and life-like. Josh's parents, Peter (Joshua Fisk) and Karen (Catherine Ross) are also exceptionally acted. While both kids' characters are explores, Josh is much more developed than Alia. Still, both are vivid, life-like characters. The background music works well. First, the piano at the beginning gives you the impression that something bad had happened and the violins and cellos used later make the sad scenes more impactful. I commend the composer, as the music matches all the events and enhance the film. My favorite part is the scene where Josh wakes up in the hospital and Alia's bed is being cleaned. From the reactions of the nurse, you know exactly what has happened. The scene is so heartbreaking and yet, so well-done. I also like the scene where Josh collapses, because the way it's done emphasizes the suddenness of Josh's sickness. Luke Hoogendyk, who plays Josh, has acted in four other films. The message of the film is about the power of friendship. I give My Gift 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. I recommend this film because it is well-written, well-acted, and has excellent music selection. Reviewed by Sandrine A., KIDS FIRST! The story is about the friendship between a young boy and girl during a hospital stay. The storyline is incredible. The writer's decision to begin with a flash forward strengthens the overall film and pulls the viewer in instantly, making the end reveal even more heart-wrenching. The climax shocked me, but is so well revealed that I almost cried. The camera work is well executed; while it doesn't use any flashy tricks, the simplicity makes the film feel almost like a documentary and it's even more impactful. The close-up at the beginning is particularly impressive. The sets and locations are all well selected and suit the story. The rugby game in the field provides a nice contrast to the rest of the story which takes place in a hospital. The two boys, Josh (Luke Hoogendyk) and Alia (Ridhi Prasad) are exceptionally portrayed; their reactions feel very real and life-like. Josh's parents, Peter (Joshua Fisk) and Karen (Catherine Ross) are also exceptionally acted. While both kids' characters are explores, Josh is much more developed than Alia. Still, both are vivid, life-like characters. The background music works well. First, the piano at the beginning gives you the impression that something bad had happened and the violins and cellos used later make the sad scenes more impactful. I commend the composer, as the music matches all the events and enhance the film. My favorite part is the scene where Josh wakes up in the hospital and Alia's bed is being cleaned. From the reactions of the nurse, you know exactly what has happened. The scene is so heartbreaking and yet, so well-done. I also like the scene where Josh collapses, because the way it's done emphasizes the suddenness of Josh's sickness. Luke Hoogendyk, who plays Josh, has acted in four other films. The message of the film is about the power of friendship. I give My Gift 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. I recommend this film because it is well-written, well-acted, and has excellent music selection. Reviewed by Sandrine A., KIDS FIRST! KIDS FIRST! Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ Media: VIDEO |
