Happy New Year, 2011. And Best Regards, 2010.
Time to lay 2010 to rest and welcome in the new year. But what great memories will remain from 2010! KIDS FIRST! debuted an innovative program that fosters cinematic literacy while continuing to encourage shared movie experiences and bonding between parents and children with the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics’ Search. And we recorded the amazing participation milestone of 11 million votes from all of you to help choose the winners … No, it was more than 11 million votes! Thank you for making the contest such a success, and we can now look forward to hearing from the talented kids who’ll be reviewing and reporting their perspectives on Hollywood’s entertainment offerings.
Hollywood’s entertainment offerings from 2010 included a possibly record-breaking number of animation features, a genre that’s a particular favorite of mine. From box-office blockbusters like Toy Story 3 to more niche releases like Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, animation continues to charm audiences with its unique renderings of imagination. We even got to enjoy another fairy tale brought to life in Disney’s signature style with Tangled (pictured) and a surprise piece of quality storytelling with How to Train Your Dragon. Shrek and Despicable Me … Furry Vengeance (one of a hybrid style that combines live action with its animation) and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole … the genre is not only alive and well but providing high-quality entertainment for all ages.
But the shows are more entertaining and enjoyable when shared; humor is exponentially funnier when someone else’s laugh is added to yours. May the new year bring you many more happy times and shared memories.
And for all of you planning to enter our 2011 KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Search competition, take note as we will be offering Film Critics Boot camp in five cities this summer: L.A., N.Y., Denver/Boulder, Santa Fe and Fort Worth. Details coming soon. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter at http://www.kidsfirst.org/ so you won’t miss out on the updates — plus, it’s a great way to be informed of all the other cool stuff that KF is involved in.
