Watch Kids' Reviews of
GROWING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

This is not your average seventh grade student produced documentary. Director/producer Steven Hoffen takes a very mature approach in describing the hydroponics project at Sindyanna, offers Arab-Jewish cooperation and creates economic opportunities for Arab women.

Inspired by an initial visit there, Steven spent time during quarantine to create this inspiring documentary. So, the interviews are all recorded online via Zoom or similar, and Steven's narrative appears to be recorded using the same technique. It works; the message comes across loud and clear. The visuals of the hydroponic operation show us how it all works and are well shot, well edited and do their job.

This inspired me to want to visit this project and learn more. I love the political implications here of the Arab-Jewish people working together.

Although this is more educational than most KIDS FIRST! Film Festival films, the content is so relevant to contemporary life and what the future of food production might look like, and hence relevant to our audiences.

I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST!

This is not your average seventh grade student produced documentary. Director/producer Steven Hoffen takes a very mature approach in describing the hydroponics project at Sindyanna, offers Arab-Jewish cooperation and creates economic opportunities for Arab women.

Inspired by an initial visit there, Steven spent time during quarantine to create this inspiring documentary. So, the interviews are all recorded online via Zoom or similar, and Steven's narrative appears to be recorded using the same technique. It works; the message comes across loud and clear. The visuals of the hydroponic operation show us how it all works and are well shot, well edited and do their job.

This inspired me to want to visit this project and learn more. I love the political implications here of the Arab-Jewish people working together.

Although this is more educational than most KIDS FIRST! Film Festival films, the content is so relevant to contemporary life and what the future of food production might look like, and hence relevant to our audiences.

I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Julie S., KIDS FIRST!

A seventh grader from New York is inspired by a visit to Sindyanna of Galilee in Israel - a unique non-profit organization led by a team of Arab and Jewish women working together to create social change from the ground up. He spends the year during the pandemic inspired to document the new hydroponics project at Sindyanna, which strives to enhance Arab-Jewish cooperation, while creating economic opportunities for Arab women.