Description - Maureen, a teenage girl immersed in London's 1960s Mod scene, dreams of something greater than the world of fashion and pop music. She craves adventure and to break away from her mundane job in the city. Inspired by the iconic Fry's Turkish Delight TV commercial, Maureen convinces her best friend Sherry to embark on a daring journey to the Middle East. Nearly six decades later, the two women reflect on their unforgettable adventures during the golden age of hitchhiking.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I really like Hitch 60 because it's set in the 60s and has a vintage vibe, which I love. Its plot is captivating also.The story is about two friends, ages 15 and 16, who dream of venturing into the Middle East, and tell their stories today of their experiences from that time. It is based on the story of the director's British mother when she was 17.
The film's plot is very interesting and it connects generations. The friends, who are no longer young, tell stories about their adventures, which are somewhat magical. Something that caught my attention was the way in which the friends comment on the events, in a very relaxed way. That brought a smile to my face.
This film shows people from different cultures meeting - young English women visiting the Middle East in the 1960s - and relays their personal experiences of important events in world history. The camera work is beautifully executed with clear, high-quality images that really tell the story through its images. In addition to the older videos and photos in black and white, the film portion of the women telling their stories in present time is colored, which clearly shows which parts are from the past and which parts are from today. In this documentary, the women talk about themselves and their stories and they portray in detail their experiences. For example, they talk about their upbringing in London after World War II and the scarcity of amenities; in addition to archival photographic images used, how they speak and gesture about their experiences is personal and revealing. I love their description of the different cultures - the mods and the rockers, and how they dressed and behaved so differently. I also love how, as they set off for the Middle East, they didn't have a plan per se, they simply wanted an adventure. They end up traveling for three years! And commenting later about it, they credited their experience growing up after WWII to making them resourceful enough to make that work. For example, they hitchhiked everywhere. The older stories take place in London in the 1960s and the black and white footage shows the reality of what it was like back then. The background music and the sound effect fit the time period and locations. For example, at the beginning of the film, they use a song that is somewhat similar to the regional music style of the time and location. Later, in the Middle East, we hear sounds typical of the region. The Director, Sara AI Obaidly started her career as a landscape photographer and you can see the influence of her photographic eye on this film. My favorite part of the film is when the women get together to reminisce about their past.
The film's message is "we only live once; don't waste opportunities, because if you don't go with everything, you will not have stories to tell in the future." I love seeing the courage of these two young women pursuing their dreams.
Hitch 60 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18. By Anna B. and Julie S.., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I really like Hitch 60 because it's set in the 60s and has a vintage vibe, which I love. Its plot is captivating also.
The story is about two friends, ages 15 and 16, who dream of venturing into the Middle East, and tell their stories today of their experiences from that time. It is based on the story of the director's British mother when she was 17.
The film's plot is very interesting and it connects generations. The friends, who are no longer young, tell stories about their adventures, which are somewhat magical. Something that caught my attention was the way in which the friends comment on the events, in a very relaxed way. That brought a smile to my face.
This film shows people from different cultures meeting - young English women visiting the Middle East in the 1960s - and relays their personal experiences of important events in world history. The camera work is beautifully executed with clear, high-quality images that really tell the story through its images. In addition to the older videos and photos in black and white, the film portion of the women telling their stories in present time is colored, which clearly shows which parts are from the past and which parts are from today. In this documentary, the women talk about themselves and their stories and they portray in detail their experiences. For example, they talk about their upbringing in London after World War II and the scarcity of amenities; in addition to archival photographic images used, how they speak and gesture about their experiences is personal and revealing. I love their description of the different cultures - the mods and the rockers, and how they dressed and behaved so differently. I also love how, as they set off for the Middle East, they didn't have a plan per se, they simply wanted an adventure. They end up traveling for three years! And commenting later about it, they credited their experience growing up after WWII to making them resourceful enough to make that work. For example, they hitchhiked everywhere. The older stories take place in London in the 1960s and the black and white footage shows the reality of what it was like back then. The background music and the sound effect fit the time period and locations. For example, at the beginning of the film, they use a song that is somewhat similar to the regional music style of the time and location. Later, in the Middle East, we hear sounds typical of the region. The Director, Sara AI Obaidly started her career as a landscape photographer and you can see the influence of her photographic eye on this film. My favorite part of the film is when the women get together to reminisce about their past.
The film's message is "we only live once; don't waste opportunities, because if you don't go with everything, you will not have stories to tell in the future." I love seeing the courage of these two young women pursuing their dreams.
Hitch 60 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18. By Anna B. and Julie S.., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 19 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 12-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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ODE TO VIVIAN JUNG - FIONA TINWEI LAM
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-12
Description - A short poetry film about Vancouver's first Chinese Canadian teacher hired by the Vancouver School Board in 1950 who played a role in desegregating a local public pool.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This is an impactful film about something that I knew nothing about - desegregation in Canada. The production quality is acceptable and tells the story in a direct way.The short film, created by a group of students, tells the story about a public pool in Vancouver, BC that was desegregated in 1945 to allow Blacks and Asians access.
The archival images tell the story along with its narration, based on a poem created from work by 27 fourth and fifth grade students. Its message about desegregation is poignant and relatable, especially in the moment of time we are living in now. The production values are serviceable - not great - but they do get the job done.
The film's message is about the history of segregation in Canada in the mid 1900s.
I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - This is an impactful film about something that I knew nothing about - desegregation in Canada. The production quality is acceptable and tells the story in a direct way.
The short film, created by a group of students, tells the story about a public pool in Vancouver, BC that was desegregated in 1945 to allow Blacks and Asians access.
The archival images tell the story along with its narration, based on a poem created from work by 27 fourth and fifth grade students. Its message about desegregation is poignant and relatable, especially in the moment of time we are living in now. The production values are serviceable - not great - but they do get the job done.
The film's message is about the history of segregation in Canada in the mid 1900s.
I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST
Runtime: 2 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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RAMUNE SODA GIRL, THE - OLGA TSENG
Series: FOREIGN STUDENT SHORT, AGES 8-12
Description - Qian Qian, a shy girl with a stutter, finds courage and self-acceptance by overcoming her fear of speaking. She carries a bottle of marble soda, "Doepy," and diligently practices her pronunciation, only to encounter numerous challenges along the way. This is a touching story about self-acceptance and the courage to grow.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - A touching story, well depicted. Speech impediments are a common occurrence among children and this shows a young girl overcoming hers.From Taiwan, this short film follows a young girl with a stutter who can't speak in front of other people. She forms a relationship with a soda bottle that she decorates and it helps her overcome her speech difficulties. At one point, she gets frustrated with the bottle icon and tosses it into the river, only to rescue it later.
Well produced, with excellent camera work, audio recording and editing. I can relate to the topic as I had a speech impediment as a child and felt ostracized for it, like many children do. The way that the young girl tackles it herself is inspiring.
The film's message is about self-acceptance and addressing your fears.
I give The Ramune Soda Girl 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - A touching story, well depicted. Speech impediments are a common occurrence among children and this shows a young girl overcoming hers.
From Taiwan, this short film follows a young girl with a stutter who can't speak in front of other people. She forms a relationship with a soda bottle that she decorates and it helps her overcome her speech difficulties. At one point, she gets frustrated with the bottle icon and tosses it into the river, only to rescue it later.
Well produced, with excellent camera work, audio recording and editing. I can relate to the topic as I had a speech impediment as a child and felt ostracized for it, like many children do. The way that the young girl tackles it herself is inspiring.
The film's message is about self-acceptance and addressing your fears.
I give The Ramune Soda Girl 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 23 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 8-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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GREAT FEAT, THE - PROIMAGENES COLOMBIA
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-12
Description - Pablo (10) needs to rescue his friend Pascualina, a laying hen, who ends up kidnapped by the town shopkeeper, after the boy breaks the bucket of eggs he was carrying to pay him a debt owed by his family. The only option is to bet a new bucket in a spinning top duel with Felipe and although the game is in Pablo's favor, Felipe's sister prevents the prize from being awarded, but all the children empathize with Pablo thanks to the fact that they recognize the obstacles that have had when trying to overcome Don Chucho's harsh attitude. Now, it is the union of all the children that allows Pascualina to be rescued. Finally, Pablo learns the importance of teamwork.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - What a charming film taking place in a small rural community where eggs are the bartering vehicle.The storyline follows a young boy, Pablo, who cares deeply for his hen, Pascualina and collects her eggs daily to help his mother pay off a debt. Enroute with a basket full of eggs to pay Don Chucho, Pablo falls and all the eggs are smashed. Don Chucho holds Pascualina hostage until Pablo can replace the promised eggs. Dejected, Pablo comes across a group of kids and is challenged to a spinning top game, which he wins. Unfortunately, his prize -- a carton of eggs -- is withheld, but fortunately, the other kids rally to make up for the lost eggs, each donating two eggs until Pablo has enough to pay Don Chucho and rescue Pascualina.
This is life in a simple village and a simple story of a boy, his hen, and the ups and downs of delivering eggs to pay the piper. It is told in a straightforward way, that brings out the beauty of the village and the interconnectedness of its residents. I commend writer / director Luber Yesid Zu�iga Ordo�ez for delivering a beautiful film. The camera work, the audio recording, the editing are all top notch. The cast is quite wonderful and believable. Young Thomas Ramirez Alvarado, who plays Pablo, definitely steals the show. But all of the secondary characters are equally well played.
The film's message is about community and helping each other.
I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - What a charming film taking place in a small rural community where eggs are the bartering vehicle.
The storyline follows a young boy, Pablo, who cares deeply for his hen, Pascualina and collects her eggs daily to help his mother pay off a debt. Enroute with a basket full of eggs to pay Don Chucho, Pablo falls and all the eggs are smashed. Don Chucho holds Pascualina hostage until Pablo can replace the promised eggs. Dejected, Pablo comes across a group of kids and is challenged to a spinning top game, which he wins. Unfortunately, his prize -- a carton of eggs -- is withheld, but fortunately, the other kids rally to make up for the lost eggs, each donating two eggs until Pablo has enough to pay Don Chucho and rescue Pascualina.
This is life in a simple village and a simple story of a boy, his hen, and the ups and downs of delivering eggs to pay the piper. It is told in a straightforward way, that brings out the beauty of the village and the interconnectedness of its residents. I commend writer / director Luber Yesid Zu�iga Ordo�ez for delivering a beautiful film. The camera work, the audio recording, the editing are all top notch. The cast is quite wonderful and believable. Young Thomas Ramirez Alvarado, who plays Pablo, definitely steals the show. But all of the secondary characters are equally well played.
The film's message is about community and helping each other.
I give this film 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 15 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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BLACK MYSTERY MONTH - ANNA-KORINA MEIER
Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 8-12
Description - Trapped within an abandoned, mysterious historical home from the Jim Crow South, a group of African-American middle school students--once bitter rivals--must play a mystical Black History themed card game to escape. The stakes are high: answer historical questions correctly, and they survive; get it wrong, and they vanish forever. As old foes reluctantly join forces, they unravel hidden truths and race against time to break free.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Black Mystery Month is very entertaining! It makes me feel lots of emotions and the plot caught me by surprise.The short film, made by a high school student, is about a group of African American middle school students, once bitter rivals, who visit an historic house from the Jim Crow South and discover a Black History themed card game that is full of surprises and mysteries. After a few questions, they discover that, if they answer incorrectly, they will vanish. After three people vanish the last two hunker down to not miss any answers and miraculously win the game.
Kudos to writer and director Anna-Korina Meier for a great script and terrific student film. This film is full of secrets, knowledge and surprises. The script is well written and the story captured my attention from the very beginning. The actors definitely give it their all. The two who survive the "vanishing" bit stand out for their performances. But all of them come across as real, even when they are arguing. My favorite part is when the kids are playing the game and one by one they start to disappear. That sparked my curiosity and I couldn't wait to see how it played out. The background music definitely stands out and adds to the mysterious element. At the end of the film, the kids who had not gotten along previously, reconcile and recognize what really matters. It cracked me up when their "guide" reappears at the end, acting as if nothing had happened, and the kids went along with it as well.
The film's message is: don't create problems over things that are not important and value your own story.
I give Black Mystery Month 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. By Anna Clara B., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Black Mystery Month is very entertaining! It makes me feel lots of emotions and the plot caught me by surprise.
The short film, made by a high school student, is about a group of African American middle school students, once bitter rivals, who visit an historic house from the Jim Crow South and discover a Black History themed card game that is full of surprises and mysteries. After a few questions, they discover that, if they answer incorrectly, they will vanish. After three people vanish the last two hunker down to not miss any answers and miraculously win the game.
Kudos to writer and director Anna-Korina Meier for a great script and terrific student film. This film is full of secrets, knowledge and surprises. The script is well written and the story captured my attention from the very beginning. The actors definitely give it their all. The two who survive the "vanishing" bit stand out for their performances. But all of them come across as real, even when they are arguing. My favorite part is when the kids are playing the game and one by one they start to disappear. That sparked my curiosity and I couldn't wait to see how it played out. The background music definitely stands out and adds to the mysterious element. At the end of the film, the kids who had not gotten along previously, reconcile and recognize what really matters. It cracked me up when their "guide" reappears at the end, acting as if nothing had happened, and the kids went along with it as well.
The film's message is: don't create problems over things that are not important and value your own story.
I give Black Mystery Month 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. By Anna Clara B., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 10 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 8-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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WAITING - AMIR ROOINI
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-12
Description - In the world of children, minor changes cause them great anxiety. School is closed and all the children go home with their parents, but in the meantime, Hamid and Navid wait for their parents every day as usual. Hamid is more worried about this than Navid and blames his family for this.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Compassion. That's what this film shares with us in the way this young man is concerned for his school mate.The story follows two boys who are waiting after school for their parents to pick them up and apparently, it is not unusual for their parents to be late. The plot twist at the end is everything.
This is a well-produced film that in 3 minutes makes a big statement about compassion and kindness. The camera work, audio recording, and editing are excellent. The two actors that portray the boys are typical of boys this age. The dialogue is in Persian with English subtitles. The best part is the end when we realize why one of the boys was waiting with the other and see his compassion and kindness as his motivation.
The message is about taking care of others, even when it may take time away from other things.
I give "Waiting" 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Compassion. That's what this film shares with us in the way this young man is concerned for his school mate.
The story follows two boys who are waiting after school for their parents to pick them up and apparently, it is not unusual for their parents to be late. The plot twist at the end is everything.
This is a well-produced film that in 3 minutes makes a big statement about compassion and kindness. The camera work, audio recording, and editing are excellent. The two actors that portray the boys are typical of boys this age. The dialogue is in Persian with English subtitles. The best part is the end when we realize why one of the boys was waiting with the other and see his compassion and kindness as his motivation.
The message is about taking care of others, even when it may take time away from other things.
I give "Waiting" 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 3 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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SWIMMING WITH WINGS - DAPHNA AWADISH GOLAN
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 8-12
Description - A short animated film exploring the immigration experience through the eyes of children learning how to swim with clothes on in the Netherlands.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I simply fell in love with this animated short, in part because of the way it looks but also because of its message, which is so poignant at this time when children refugees have to adapt to new environments and new cultures.The animated story, narrated by a child, follows a group of penguins who are learning how to swim with their clothes on.
These penguins represent young children who have come to the Netherlands as refugees from different countries and are doing their best to acclimate to their new environment. Change is difficult in anyone's life, and I love how this story focuses on something that might seem natural to Dutch children, but for these immigrants, is a challenging hurtle to overcome. Perhaps it is the culmination of so many other changes they are required to make as their conversations reveal. And I am constantly awed at the resilience of these young people, as well as their parents, at their ability to adjust to a new culture. I love the presentation of this film - from the animation, to the dialogue, to the background music. It is calming and reassuring and yet, doesn't wander from the importance of the subject, which is beautiful. Kudos to filmmaker, Daphna Awadish, for her thoughtful film.
The film's message is about resilience and perseverance.
I give Swimming With Wings 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I simply fell in love with this animated short, in part because of the way it looks but also because of its message, which is so poignant at this time when children refugees have to adapt to new environments and new cultures.
The animated story, narrated by a child, follows a group of penguins who are learning how to swim with their clothes on.
These penguins represent young children who have come to the Netherlands as refugees from different countries and are doing their best to acclimate to their new environment. Change is difficult in anyone's life, and I love how this story focuses on something that might seem natural to Dutch children, but for these immigrants, is a challenging hurtle to overcome. Perhaps it is the culmination of so many other changes they are required to make as their conversations reveal. And I am constantly awed at the resilience of these young people, as well as their parents, at their ability to adjust to a new culture. I love the presentation of this film - from the animation, to the dialogue, to the background music. It is calming and reassuring and yet, doesn't wander from the importance of the subject, which is beautiful. Kudos to filmmaker, Daphna Awadish, for her thoughtful film.
The film's message is about resilience and perseverance.
I give Swimming With Wings 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 10 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 8-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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WHAT IN THE WORLD? - BETH WICKMAN EKSTRAND
Series: DOCUMENTARY SHORT, AGES 5-12
Description - WHAT IN THE WORLD? is a family-friendly children's docu-series exploring science and engineering feats both inside (and out) of objects! Utilizing excerpts from popular "Jared Owen Animations" YouTube videos, each episode dives deep into one particular item, place or thing that kids will love learning about - some larger than life, and some even out of this world!
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Who doesn't want to know how things work? This child-friendly short film delivers information in a way that school aged kids can absorb it and includes a group of kids that age who participate in the Q&A's during the presentation, making it easy to relate to.I like the way the show is formatted. There are two episodes presented here in this 16-minute clip, each running about 8 minutes. It's short, sweet, and to the point. In the first episode we learn how a VCR works. I questioned why that the focal point since VCRs are pretty much antiques in today's media landscape, but nonetheless, that's the starting point. The other episode is about the White House and what happens in the different floors and wings of this all important building. Did I learn some new things? Yup, I definitely did, in both segments. I probably wouldn't start with the VCR segment since most kids have no idea what a VCR is. They have moved on to DVDs and digital programming. But hey, I'm not the producer here and I love learning information, even if it's somewhat antiquated.
The film's message is all about learning how different things work.
I give What in the World? 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5-12 plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Who doesn't want to know how things work? This child-friendly short film delivers information in a way that school aged kids can absorb it and includes a group of kids that age who participate in the Q&A's during the presentation, making it easy to relate to.
I like the way the show is formatted. There are two episodes presented here in this 16-minute clip, each running about 8 minutes. It's short, sweet, and to the point. In the first episode we learn how a VCR works. I questioned why that the focal point since VCRs are pretty much antiques in today's media landscape, but nonetheless, that's the starting point. The other episode is about the White House and what happens in the different floors and wings of this all important building. Did I learn some new things? Yup, I definitely did, in both segments. I probably wouldn't start with the VCR segment since most kids have no idea what a VCR is. They have moved on to DVDs and digital programming. But hey, I'm not the producer here and I love learning information, even if it's somewhat antiquated.
The film's message is all about learning how different things work.
I give What in the World? 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5-12 plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 16 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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TINY TEACHING TALES - JULIE ANNE BURCH
Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 2-5
Description - Tiny Teaching Tales bring us a world of wisdom where parents and little ones can learn about love, acceptance, friendship and so much more through the power of wonder and imagination....stories of wisdom...for us all.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - coming soon
Runtime: 7 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 2-5
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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THERE IS A MOOSE - ROBERT HICKS
Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5-12
Description - A whimsical and energetic narrative portrait of The Moose, whose character and unusual behaviors are told with music, live action, footage of Moose in their natural habitat & animation. The soundtrack expresses his personality with the groove and guitars of surf rock, the mystery and danger of the '60s spy genre, a rap-styled vocal and a big-band climax, all driven by a throbbing jungle beat. The lyrics are displayed in colorful subtitles.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Ok, I needed this film today. After so much seriousness going on in the world, this is just pure fun, silly nonsensical fun.The short music video features Robert Hicks singing, or sort of rapping a ridiculous song about a moose. That's right, one of those creatures you might find in the inner mountain west or Canada. His tune is accompanied by goofy images and animations that further enhance the giddiness of this short film. My favorite scene is at the end when what appears to be a real moose walks out of a pool. Where did that shot come from. If this doesn't make you laugh, you'd best check your humor level.
The film's message is one of nonsense and silliness.
I give There is a Moose 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Ok, I needed this film today. After so much seriousness going on in the world, this is just pure fun, silly nonsensical fun.
The short music video features Robert Hicks singing, or sort of rapping a ridiculous song about a moose. That's right, one of those creatures you might find in the inner mountain west or Canada. His tune is accompanied by goofy images and animations that further enhance the giddiness of this short film. My favorite scene is at the end when what appears to be a real moose walks out of a pool. Where did that shot come from. If this doesn't make you laugh, you'd best check your humor level.
The film's message is one of nonsense and silliness.
I give There is a Moose 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 8 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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FOX AND A SQUIRREL, A - JORDAN R. LUNDY
Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 5-12
Description - A single mother turns her workday into a bedtime story for her son.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Quite an unusual way to tell a story! This took me a while to get in to but once I did, I did and I really appreciated the ending.This has a story inside of a story - one being a mother telling a bedtime story to her son, the other the story of what happened at work and how the mom got to her son's talent show.
The production is pretty good -- good audio, good video, appropriate shots. The cast consists of the mom and her son and the mom's officemates who all have face paint on to identify them as the "squirrels" in the story. It's confusing why the mom, who's also a squirrel, doesn't have the same treatment to her face. The pace is a bit slow at the beginning, but picks up about half way through and the ending is particularly pleasing.
The film's message is about standing up for yourself.
give A Fox & A Squirrel 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Quite an unusual way to tell a story! This took me a while to get in to but once I did, I did and I really appreciated the ending.
This has a story inside of a story - one being a mother telling a bedtime story to her son, the other the story of what happened at work and how the mom got to her son's talent show.
The production is pretty good -- good audio, good video, appropriate shots. The cast consists of the mom and her son and the mom's officemates who all have face paint on to identify them as the "squirrels" in the story. It's confusing why the mom, who's also a squirrel, doesn't have the same treatment to her face. The pace is a bit slow at the beginning, but picks up about half way through and the ending is particularly pleasing.
The film's message is about standing up for yourself.
give A Fox & A Squirrel 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 19 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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NAALE RAJAA KOLI MAJAA (SUNDAY SPECIAL) - ABHILASH SHETTY
Series: FOREIGN FEATURE, AGES 8-12
Description - On the day of Gandhi Jayanti, when meat sale is prohibited nationwide, an 11-year-old girl goes on a quirky adventure in pursuit of a forbidden chicken curry. From India, dialogue in Kannada, English subtitles
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I like Sunday Special for many reasons. I like the humor, the setting in India and learning about some cultural traditions.There is a national holiday in India called Gandhi Jayanti that celebrates the country's independence, and all shops, especially meat shops are closed to observe the holiday. However, a girl finds out that she can't have chicken with her curry for weekly tradition on Sundays. She decides that no matter what happens, she will get her chicken to continue her "Sunday Chicken Curry" tradition. She goes on a comical adventure while learning new things about her own culture. I like how the main character, the girl, acts because she is funny but also brave. I really enjoyed watching her - her personality makes the film. The camera work is pretty good, it is clear and there are interesting angles used. The film takes place in India. There are many places that are included such as Indian markets which are pretty cool to see. The director shows us Indian culture and heritage which is pretty cool to learn about. My favorite part of the film is when the girl finally gets her chicken curry.
The film's message is to never give up.
I give Sunday Special 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. By Hafsa H. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I like Sunday Special for many reasons. I like the humor, the setting in India and learning about some cultural traditions.
There is a national holiday in India called Gandhi Jayanti that celebrates the country's independence, and all shops, especially meat shops are closed to observe the holiday. However, a girl finds out that she can't have chicken with her curry for weekly tradition on Sundays. She decides that no matter what happens, she will get her chicken to continue her "Sunday Chicken Curry" tradition. She goes on a comical adventure while learning new things about her own culture. I like how the main character, the girl, acts because she is funny but also brave. I really enjoyed watching her - her personality makes the film. The camera work is pretty good, it is clear and there are interesting angles used. The film takes place in India. There are many places that are included such as Indian markets which are pretty cool to see. The director shows us Indian culture and heritage which is pretty cool to learn about. My favorite part of the film is when the girl finally gets her chicken curry.
The film's message is to never give up.
I give Sunday Special 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. By Hafsa H. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 82 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 8-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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PIRATE GAME - STUDIO FILM�W RYSUNKOWYCH
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 2-5
Description - Snail Spinner has trouble with his eye and needs to do vision exercises. Ladybug Dottie supports her friend, and together they learn the importance of taking care of their eyesight. The film is dedicated to the youngest audience, including children with visual impairments and attention deficit disorders. Note that the English dubbed version of the film is currently in production and will be uploaded as soon as it is completed.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I was impressed by this short film from Poland and its focus on providing entertaining and informative content to young kids. It's bright and fun, while teaching kids about how to take care of their eyes. The dialogue is in Polish, with English subtitles, which makes it complicated for its intended audience to watch. However, we were informed that an English dubbed version is on the way, so that would make this fit the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival better.The story follows a character names Snail Spinner who has trouble with his eye and needs to do eye exercises. His friend, Ladybug Dottie lends a hand and the two of them learn the importance of taking care of their eyes.
Cute production. I love the animation - it's clean and clear and clever - the three C's! And the topic, about eye care, is quite appropriate for young kids. I remember having to wear glasses from an early age and an informative film like this would have been terrific. The voiceover artist, actress Anna Guzik-Tylka, voices all three voices - the narrator, Ladybug Dottie and Snail Spinner. She is quite proficient at differentiating the three voices so we can easily figure out which character is speaking. Hats off to Katarzyna Agopsowicz, the film's director; her commitment to creating films for the youngest viewers, especially those with visual impairments.
The film's message is to take care of your eyes; they're the only set you get!
I give Pirate Game 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I was impressed by this short film from Poland and its focus on providing entertaining and informative content to young kids. It's bright and fun, while teaching kids about how to take care of their eyes. The dialogue is in Polish, with English subtitles, which makes it complicated for its intended audience to watch. However, we were informed that an English dubbed version is on the way, so that would make this fit the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival better.
The story follows a character names Snail Spinner who has trouble with his eye and needs to do eye exercises. His friend, Ladybug Dottie lends a hand and the two of them learn the importance of taking care of their eyes.
Cute production. I love the animation - it's clean and clear and clever - the three C's! And the topic, about eye care, is quite appropriate for young kids. I remember having to wear glasses from an early age and an informative film like this would have been terrific. The voiceover artist, actress Anna Guzik-Tylka, voices all three voices - the narrator, Ladybug Dottie and Snail Spinner. She is quite proficient at differentiating the three voices so we can easily figure out which character is speaking. Hats off to Katarzyna Agopsowicz, the film's director; her commitment to creating films for the youngest viewers, especially those with visual impairments.
The film's message is to take care of your eyes; they're the only set you get!
I give Pirate Game 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 7 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 2-5
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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EARTHWORMS - CAITLIN NOAH
Series: INDIE SHORT, AGES 8-12
Description - Earthworms is a short Sci-Fi adventure film about a Martian girl who steals a spaceship and travels through the cosmos in an attempt to prove to her skeptical neighbor that life on Earth exists. She discovers a land left barren from decades of climate change, but meets a teenage boy wandering the desert on his motorcycle and the two make an exchange that will change their lives.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Earthworms is an interesting Earth related short film with a compelling storyline. It delivers a good sci-fi adventure that anyone who enjoys learning things about Earth will appreciate.The storyline follows a Martian girl who steals a spaceship and travels to Earth to find life but almost everything is gone. She only finds a teenage boy and the two of them interact in a way that changes both their lives.
This live action film starts off by describing the earth and what makes it earth and uses footage of life on earth, particularly earthworms, to define it. Earthworms represent life at both the beginning and the end of the film. It takes place sometime in the future, after Mars has been colonized and earthlings have moved there. It has an interesting storyline that really drew me in. The story flows well and the characters are well developed. I really enjoy how the girl who didn't believe in earth was scared at the end because of the lie the girl who goes to earth says at the end. I was empathetic mostly towards the boy because he was one of the only survivors on Earth and his mom is sick. The visuals are clear and realistic. The film invites the reader to problem solve about how they are going to fix Earth and it teaches us more about the earth. The camera work is quite good, as is the audio recording. I enjoyed the special effects; even though they are pretty rudimentary, they work. This is not a high budget film, so you have to give the filmmaker a little slack on working with what he has. The cast is quite good. Hats off to Brea Mascorro, Oscar Winter and Amber Steigelfest for their performances. The location for the Earth portion is perfect - it is very barren and desolate, which is appropriate for the story. I really enjoyed the soundtrack featuring music by Gustav Holst and the costume design is terrific.
The film's message is that we should take care of the earth, earthworms and all.
I give Earthworms 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. By Janie R. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Earthworms is an interesting Earth related short film with a compelling storyline. It delivers a good sci-fi adventure that anyone who enjoys learning things about Earth will appreciate.
The storyline follows a Martian girl who steals a spaceship and travels to Earth to find life but almost everything is gone. She only finds a teenage boy and the two of them interact in a way that changes both their lives.
This live action film starts off by describing the earth and what makes it earth and uses footage of life on earth, particularly earthworms, to define it. Earthworms represent life at both the beginning and the end of the film. It takes place sometime in the future, after Mars has been colonized and earthlings have moved there. It has an interesting storyline that really drew me in. The story flows well and the characters are well developed. I really enjoy how the girl who didn't believe in earth was scared at the end because of the lie the girl who goes to earth says at the end. I was empathetic mostly towards the boy because he was one of the only survivors on Earth and his mom is sick. The visuals are clear and realistic. The film invites the reader to problem solve about how they are going to fix Earth and it teaches us more about the earth. The camera work is quite good, as is the audio recording. I enjoyed the special effects; even though they are pretty rudimentary, they work. This is not a high budget film, so you have to give the filmmaker a little slack on working with what he has. The cast is quite good. Hats off to Brea Mascorro, Oscar Winter and Amber Steigelfest for their performances. The location for the Earth portion is perfect - it is very barren and desolate, which is appropriate for the story. I really enjoyed the soundtrack featuring music by Gustav Holst and the costume design is terrific.
The film's message is that we should take care of the earth, earthworms and all.
I give Earthworms 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. By Janie R. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 16 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 8-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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JOURNEY OF SAVA, THE - DIEGO FLORENTINO
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-12
Description - Part of the unpublished series, Ninhos em Movimento, about childhood and migration in Brazil. Sava is a curious boy who carries with him the weight of a recent and sad history. Because of the war in Ukraine, he had to leave his country and come take refuge in Brazil, in the city of Prudent�polis, am area known as for its giant waterfalls. In this strange place, Sava lives with his mother and his sisters. He finds strength in his amulets, small toy mice, which accompany him in all his adventures. Despite missing his father, who stayed behind in the war, Sava does not become discouraged. He loves to play with paper airplanes, dreaming of the feeling of freedom that they bring. It is in the heights that Sava experiences an unforgettable adventure.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I like The Journey Of Sava because it is about a kid and for a kid which makes it fun and interactive to watch.The film is about a curious boy named Sava who moved from Ukraine to Brazil due to the war in his country. Sava lives together with his mother and sister and, despite what he has been through and the effects of moving away from his home, he demonstrates strength and courage. He goes on an adventure full of fun in Brazil. He loves to play with paper airplanes and likes heights and continues to pursue his passion and love for flying.
I like the film's plot and I like seeing how Sava's determination to pursue adventures and his passions and dreams continue to be present in his life. The film is well made with good, clear camera work and audio recording. The scenes in Brazil's jungles are really fascinating. I love the waterfalls! They are extraordinary. I love seeing him ride in the hot air balloon and I love hearing his laughter. My favorite part of the film is seeing Sava having fun as a little boy in Brazil. We are also reminded of his and his family's situation when his sister says that her dream is to return to Ukraine. The song they all sing at the end, presumably in Ukrainian, is a reminder of their love for their country.
The film's message is to always pursue your passions and dreams despite the challenges and obstacles that life brings.
I give The Journey of Sava 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Hafsa H., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I like The Journey Of Sava because it is about a kid and for a kid which makes it fun and interactive to watch.
The film is about a curious boy named Sava who moved from Ukraine to Brazil due to the war in his country. Sava lives together with his mother and sister and, despite what he has been through and the effects of moving away from his home, he demonstrates strength and courage. He goes on an adventure full of fun in Brazil. He loves to play with paper airplanes and likes heights and continues to pursue his passion and love for flying.
I like the film's plot and I like seeing how Sava's determination to pursue adventures and his passions and dreams continue to be present in his life. The film is well made with good, clear camera work and audio recording. The scenes in Brazil's jungles are really fascinating. I love the waterfalls! They are extraordinary. I love seeing him ride in the hot air balloon and I love hearing his laughter. My favorite part of the film is seeing Sava having fun as a little boy in Brazil. We are also reminded of his and his family's situation when his sister says that her dream is to return to Ukraine. The song they all sing at the end, presumably in Ukrainian, is a reminder of their love for their country.
The film's message is to always pursue your passions and dreams despite the challenges and obstacles that life brings.
I give The Journey of Sava 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. By Hafsa H., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 13 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 5-12
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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MOUNTAIN, FAST AND SLOW, THE - WEN-YUAN HSIEH
Series: FOREIGN SHORT, AGES 5-8
Description - Yun-Yun and Xu-Xu live in the mountains of central Taiwan. Their favorite thing is exploring their large mountain home. The mountain is covered with orange trees, and during harvest time, their dad picks oranges while the kids play with big boxes or leaves, sliding down the slopes. They also love the vegetable garden on their own mountain, where they have endless fruits to eat, endless vegetables to pick, and farming activities such as drying radishes and pickling salted vegetables. There are so many fun things to do in the mountains that time slows down. During the warm winter days, the two discover how fast and slow work among insects and plants. The mountain reveals the rhythms of fast and slow.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - I enjoyed The Mountain, Fast and Slow. It is a sweet short film from Taiwan by Guan-yu Chen that awakens our awareness of a rural family in Taiwan. The interaction of the two children with their environment gives us insight into what life is like in this culture. This short film follows two young children, Yun-Yun and Xu-Xu exploring the world around them in the mountains of central Taiwan. We watch them as they help harvest vegetables, sometimes half as big as they are.
This is a lovely multi-cultural short film that shows how families in rural area of Taiwan might live. The camera work is superb, especially the closeups on bugs and insects. The two young children that are our guides here share their experiences in the world around them as they eat fresh vegetables from the garden or fill up their yellow basket until it is overflowing and almost too heavy to for them to carry. The background music is pretty simple and neither adds nor detracts from the film. Although the children speak occasionally, their dialogue is mainly geared to what they are doing and not really instructional. They speak in Chinese which is subtitled in English. My favorite part is when they make a meal, a hot pot, with the help of an adult who is probably their father. They combine the vegetables they have harvested in a pot over a fire outside, then they sit down together and a woman (the mother) joins them.
The film's message is simply about what life is like for a rural Taiwanese family, shown from a child's point of view.
I give The Mountain, Fast and Slow 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - I enjoyed The Mountain, Fast and Slow. It is a sweet short film from Taiwan by Guan-yu Chen that awakens our awareness of a rural family in Taiwan. The interaction of the two children with their environment gives us insight into what life is like in this culture.
This short film follows two young children, Yun-Yun and Xu-Xu exploring the world around them in the mountains of central Taiwan. We watch them as they help harvest vegetables, sometimes half as big as they are.
This is a lovely multi-cultural short film that shows how families in rural area of Taiwan might live. The camera work is superb, especially the closeups on bugs and insects. The two young children that are our guides here share their experiences in the world around them as they eat fresh vegetables from the garden or fill up their yellow basket until it is overflowing and almost too heavy to for them to carry. The background music is pretty simple and neither adds nor detracts from the film. Although the children speak occasionally, their dialogue is mainly geared to what they are doing and not really instructional. They speak in Chinese which is subtitled in English. My favorite part is when they make a meal, a hot pot, with the help of an adult who is probably their father. They combine the vegetables they have harvested in a pot over a fire outside, then they sit down together and a woman (the mother) joins them.
The film's message is simply about what life is like for a rural Taiwanese family, shown from a child's point of view.
I give The Mountain, Fast and Slow 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 12 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 5-8
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
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WATER NETWORK OF THE EARTH - WEN-YUAN HSIEH
Series: DOCUMENTARY SHORT, AGES 8-18
Description - Taiwan is an island of mountains and valleys. When water flows downhill, the valleys capture it as rivers and streams. However, in the steeper terrain, when it rains heavily and suddenly, the water level often rises in an instant and flows to the sea while the land remains dry. How do the people handle that? The film examines the water systems of Taoyuan, Taiwan where they tackle the issue of water shortage using techniques that their ancestors created -- a network of canals, ponds where artesian springs appear, and other systems. In the past 300 years, the residents here have created a water network that deals with the issues of water shortage and have turned a wasteland into a fertile farmland using water from the faraway mountains.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - The Water Network of the Earth is a very interesting documentary. Although it tells the story of the water conservancy system in Taoyuan, Taiwan, it also introduces the local history and the gods they worship. What's more interesting is that the water conservancy system provides a link for communication and integration between villages.The documentary mainly focuses on the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the Taoyuan area, where the water conservancy system is different from other places, particularly in how people use the water to cultivate ponds. In addition, it addresses the long-term integration and history between different villages.
The production is excellent. The narrative of the documentary is in chronological and location order, from the beginning of the transformation of the terrain thousands of years ago to the development of the water conservancy system by the people today. I really like the use of humans in this film, especially when people are sweeping tombs, which are very close to people's lives; I like how it portrays people at eye level instead of from high above them. Although the documentary is about nature, these shots make the humans more prominent, showing the coexistence of nature, gods and people. The people range from professors to ordinary citizens. This allows the audience to see the water conservancy system from different perspectives. For example, environmentalists discuss how to protect water resources in a specific way. Historians talk about why the local canal began and how people in each village communicated with each other because of the canal beginning hundreds of years ago. Another thing I like is that their temples are shown, because worshiping gods is another important part of the daily life of the locals. The background music is very comfortable and melodious. My favorite part is the scene where people talk about where they think they are from. Each group of people has a different idea of their origins. For example, some people think they are Hakka people, and some people think they are from other tribes. In the end, they all believe they are indigenous people. It's a very interesting cultural fusion, and it's closely related to water conservancy projects.
The film's message is about the importance of water and its use in Taoyuan, Taiwan and its effects culturally as well as historically on the indigenous people who live there.
I give The Water Network of the Earth 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. By Xiangxi K., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - The Water Network of the Earth is a very interesting documentary. Although it tells the story of the water conservancy system in Taoyuan, Taiwan, it also introduces the local history and the gods they worship. What's more interesting is that the water conservancy system provides a link for communication and integration between villages.
The documentary mainly focuses on the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the Taoyuan area, where the water conservancy system is different from other places, particularly in how people use the water to cultivate ponds. In addition, it addresses the long-term integration and history between different villages.
The production is excellent. The narrative of the documentary is in chronological and location order, from the beginning of the transformation of the terrain thousands of years ago to the development of the water conservancy system by the people today. I really like the use of humans in this film, especially when people are sweeping tombs, which are very close to people's lives; I like how it portrays people at eye level instead of from high above them. Although the documentary is about nature, these shots make the humans more prominent, showing the coexistence of nature, gods and people. The people range from professors to ordinary citizens. This allows the audience to see the water conservancy system from different perspectives. For example, environmentalists discuss how to protect water resources in a specific way. Historians talk about why the local canal began and how people in each village communicated with each other because of the canal beginning hundreds of years ago. Another thing I like is that their temples are shown, because worshiping gods is another important part of the daily life of the locals. The background music is very comfortable and melodious. My favorite part is the scene where people talk about where they think they are from. Each group of people has a different idea of their origins. For example, some people think they are Hakka people, and some people think they are from other tribes. In the end, they all believe they are indigenous people. It's a very interesting cultural fusion, and it's closely related to water conservancy projects.
The film's message is about the importance of water and its use in Taoyuan, Taiwan and its effects culturally as well as historically on the indigenous people who live there.
I give The Water Network of the Earth 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. By Xiangxi K., KIDS FIRST!
Runtime: 50 minutes
Juror Recommended Age: 8-18
Suggested Retail Price: $
Media: VIDEO
