KIDS FIRST! News

Recently KIDS FIRST! Film Critics had the opportunity to chat with the team at Air Bud Entertainment to learn more about the Air Bud Entertainment Collectible NFTs. As long time fans of the Air Bud Entertainment films, we were excited to learn more about this expansion into the word of NFTs.

When interviewing Air Bud Entertainment’s Robert Vince (CEO), Eric Vince (VP Business Development) and Anna McRoberts (President) we learned that the focus of these collectibles is to give the owner exclusive access to the Air Bud a community and how each one features a package of unique and exclusive content, including limited-edition video content, interactive games and physical merchandise.   Most importantly, the content and characters celebrate important themes such as friendship, teamwork and family, and, as part of the Air Bud community, members are connected to a group of like-minded parents and kids who share these values — and who want to collect and engage with Air Bud Entertainment content together.

Take a look at the interviews below by our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics with Air Bud’s C-Suite executives who talked about things you are probably curious about as well. And, just because our KIDS FIRST! Followers are so awesome, ABE is offering our followers $5 off on their first purchase. Use this code for the discount: ABKids5. The offer ends July 1, 2022.

Eshaan M., Samantha P. and Zoe C. interview Robert and Eric Vince about Air Bud Entertainment’s NFT launch. Questions include:

• What am I really getting when I get an NFT?
• How does the process of building a collection of NFT’s work?
• What’s the connection between NFTs and cryptocurrency?

Ashleigh C., Katie F. and Calee N. interview Robert and Eric Vince about Air Bud Entertainment’s NFT launch. Questions include:

• Can you explain what an NFT is?
• What was the beginning thought process of creating an Air Bud NFT?
• Are NFTs the future of art and collectables?

What comes first? The initial NFT comes from the immersive new Genesis collection and features a collectible coin from ABE’s newest series Super PupZ, plus a Zeta video. For a limited time, this NFT includes a free air drop of one of the Super PupZ trading cards. Super PupZ is streaming now on Netflix. More information at: https://nft.airbud.com

Let’s look at two more interviews by our
KIDS FIRST! Film Critics.

Heather S. and Ethan P. interview Anna McRoberts & Eric Vince about Air Bud Entertainment’s NFT launch. Questions include:

• NFTs have become so popular; even younger kids know about them. What advice do you have for future young collectors?

• When will the Air Bud NFTs be available for the public?
• How has your life been different after collecting NFTs yourself?

Enjoy Tiana S., Dominic D. and Keila V’s. interview with Anna McRoberts and Eric Vince about Air Bud Entertainment’s NFT launch. Questions include:

• Why did you choose to promote this show using NFT’s?
• I want to be able to learn as much as possible about this technology. Will there be ways for us to communicate and share ideas catered to our interests regarding the Air Bud NFTs?
• Why did you pick NFTs as a way to turn your fan base into a more interactive and connected community and how will Air Bud Entertainment look at the success of this NFT project after the upcoming launch?

Some things to know:

• When you join the ABE Collectibles community, you will receive the original NFT token, free NFTs and more. It’s an ongoing community where collecting is made easy as there is no requirement to own cryptocurrency.
• You do not need to use cryptocurrency for ABE Collectibles. They have partnered with Shopify where you can purchase a membership and NFTs using the most conventional payment methods like credit cards, Apple Pay, and similar.
• NFTs are assets that you own. You can keep, trade or sell them on the ABE Collectibles website with other community members all around the globe. The secondary trading will begin in 90 days.
• The Air Bud Entertainment (ABE) community is a closed, safe, exclusive community. This means the community website is the only place where you can view and purchase their exclusive content. When you log onto NFT.AirBud.com, you are guaranteed not to be redirected to any other website.
• New NFTs will be dropped weekly from the extensive ABE library of 22 movies and four series with hundreds of unique characters. A new portal will be opened every 60 to 90 days — the first from the new family Netflix series Super PupZ followed by Pup Academy. Each portal will have its own unique world offerings of branded content to own. The ABE community can keep or trade on NFT.AirBud.com.

Our last two groups might touch on some questions that you haven’t had answered yet. Take a look:

Enjoy Nathalia J., Mars R. and Sariah R.’s interview with Anna McRoberts & Eric Vince about Air Bud Entertainment’s NFT launch. Questions include:

• What are the hopes you have with introducing kids to the world of Non-Transferable Tokens (NFTs)?
• How did your team come up with the design for the NFTs and who designed it? 
• For fans of the Super Buddies and Super PupZ, what can we expect to see in the future from Air Bud Entertainment and how will that be reflected in future releases of NFTs?

Benjamin P., Anna Clara B. and Carlee S. interview Anna McRoberts & Eric Vince about Air Bud Entertainment’s NFTs.

• So you think these NFTs can be enjoyed by the whole family?
• Why do NFTs feel right for Air Bud?
• Can you talk about the different Key Pillars of Air Bud Entertainment collectibles and why you chose them?

As you know, KIDS FIRST! Film Festival co-hosts film festival with a group of wonderful venues and organizations nation- and worldwide. Next up is an exciting, first time festival in partnership with the DADvocacy Consulting group– the first annual KIDS FIRST! Daddying Film Festival. This festival offers a celebration of films that honor a child’s relationship with their father or father figure.

Featured are a collection of student films from elementary through university students with the theme: “A Letter to My Father/Father Figure.” Additionally there is a collection of outstanding films from independent and foreign filmmakers. These short films illustrate how being a dad or father figure is not just who you are, it’s what you do.

Remember to Vote – Audience Voting Determine Our Final Winners!

This year’s festival will be entirely virtual, taking place online at: https://kidsfirstdaddyingff.eventive.org/welcome

All the films that have been accepted will be shown at the festival, but there will be a competition for the winners in five different categories: best elementary student film, best middle school student film, best high school student film, best university student film, best independent film. The finalists in each of those categories will be highlighted and the audience vote will determine the winners.

Announcing the 2022 KFDFF Award Finalists

Finalists in all five categories have been selected by a panel of professionals from the entertainment industry, arts and academia. The 36 films featured at the festival have been submitted by filmmakers from 17 countries including Iceland, India, Israel, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Singapore, Taiwan, Argentina and the United States.

The Finalists Are!

Elementary School (grades 1 through 4) student

• My Dad Anthony Fleg by Shandíín E Fleg, age 7
• Wicked Witch by Virginia Adams, 10

Middle School (grades 5 through 8) students

• A Letter to My Dad by Brock Brenner, age 11
• I Scream by Marino, 13, San Domenico School Film program
• P.S. I Love You by Kaari Sholeen Tabor, 13
• He Teaches Me by Bah’Hozhooni N. Fleg, 11
• The Good Dad by Felice, 14, San Domenico School Film program

High School (grades 9 through 12) students

• Hey Dad, It’s Me by Leela Malladi, age 18
• Walk With Me by Yohan Hong, 17, and Joaquin Foster, 16, San Domenico School Film program
• Delhi Days by Eshaan Mani, 16

College Undergraduate students

• PATER et FILIO by Pablo De Estrada, age 28
• My Father’s Son by Kyle Davison, 24

Independent/Non-Student Filmmakers (eligible for “Best Film” and “Best Short Film” Awards)

• Red Balloon by Avi Federgreen, Canada
• My Other Son (Mi Otro Hijo) by Gustavo Alonso, Argentina
• Dad for Hire by Aaron Scully, Australia
• Jack and the Treehouse by Jim Schneider, USA
• Mara Poppa Superhero (My Father Superhero) by Darshan Ashwin Trivedi, India
• How the Titanic Became My Lifeboat by Bjarney Ludviksdottir, Iceland
• Rainbow Stories – Peter, Mark, James and Einstein by Adam Bailey, United Kingdom
• Make It Count by Romeo Jennison, USA
• Christmas Summer by Ignacio Borderes, Argentina

Tickets are Free!

Reserve your all festival pass here: https://kidsfirstdaddyingff.eventive.org/welcome

View complete list of selected films here: https://kidsfirstdaddyingff.eventive.org/films

The UH KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, presented by Outreach College, continues with FREE virtual screenings — plus coming up this weekend, live stream interview/Q&A sessions with filmmakers and crew. Programs focus on climate change and the environment, space and technology, social justice and tolerance, arts and culture…and just plain fun.

All films stream free of charge. Click on the “Reserve Tickets” button for an All Access Pass to the festival. To reserve tickets for thematic film blocks/individual films, go directly to the Virtual Festival Catalog. Be sure to check out our live streaming interviews and Q&A’s this weekend.
For free tickets to all live streams and virtual screenings, visit kidsfirsthawaii.eventive.org

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Films available for viewing from Feb 16, 12am – Feb 21, 11:45pm

You Do You No Matter Who – Part 1 • 9 films

With artistry and humor, short films about building bridges and finding common ground across differences. Positive messages: never give up, resist giving in to social pressures, celebrate who you are.
https://watch.eventive.org/kidsfirsthawaii/play/61d4efbfc0b34a0095ba95bd

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Films available for viewing from Feb 17, 12am – Feb 21, 11:45pm

Music Moves • 2 films

Pops is Tops is a musical journey through the home and life of Louis Armstrong.

Quaranteened: A Virtual Musical, from The Theatre Bug in partnership with MA2LA, was written by teen writers, recorded from home, and produced remotely.
https://watch.eventive.org/kidsfirsthawaii/play/61d4f066f4fee2004b99921f

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Films available for viewing from Feb 18, 12am – Feb 21, 11:45pm

All Kine Kids • 9 films

Delightful tales of kids being kids everywhere — from the school room to the stage to the reindeer roundup — from the US, Canada, Belgium, Iran, and Mongolia.
https://watch.eventive.org/kidsfirsthawaii/play/61d4f0b80f5be200304ba0c6

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MORE TO COME! The Festival continues through February 21 with streaming films & live stream events with film creatives.
https://watch.eventive.org/kidsfirsthawaii/live

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For free tickets to all live streams and virtual screenings, visit kidsfirsthawaii.eventive.org

The UH KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, presented by Outreach College, celebrates the  30th anniversary of the national KIDS FIRST! with over 100 FREE virtual screenings plus live stream interview/Q&A sessions with filmmakers and crew.

For free tickets to all live streams and virtual screenings, visit kidsfirsthawaii.eventive.org.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Films available for viewing from Feb 12, 12am – Feb 21, 11:45pm

This episode features deaf actress Shaylee Mansfield in a “sign over” performance, one of the first in a kids’ animated series. The character is named and modeled after Mansfield and was animated by using a video reference of the actress performing for animators to model from. Mansfield’s character, Shaylee, uses American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate, expanding inclusivity and promoting awareness of ASL.

Live stream interview/Q&A: Feb 12, 12-12:30pm HST

Johanna Stein, Executive Producer and Showrunner
T.J. Sullivan, Supervising Director 
Justin Maurer, ASL Consultant
Delbert Whetter, ASL Consultant 
Jevon Whetter, ASL consultant   

Live stream: A Conversation with Laura Margulies: Feb 12, 1-1:30pm HST

Laura Margulies has been creating hand-painted animated films and commissioned work for 30 years. Her work combines motion, color, texture, live action, rhythm, and sound to create award winning, expressive media. She often animates with paint in a stop motion style. Laura worked as a Designer and Color Artist at MTV animation on such shows as Beavis and Butthead, The Head and Daria. Her work has been shown worldwide. She is currently an Assistant Professor of animation at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the Academy for Creative Media.

More Animation: Saturday, Feb 12, 12am – Feb 21, 11:45pm

Toons for Tots to Tweens • 12 films

Adorable animated shorts from Spain, Singapore, Canada, the UK and US — including films by students.

Global Imagination Animation • 12 films

Award-winning animation from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Canada, Spain, Korea, Japan, the UK and US.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Films available for viewing from Feb 13, 12am – Feb 21, 11:45pm

Age-appropriate groupings of films focusing on the positive impact kids have on their environment and in human relationships. Featuring the series Kids Who Save the World: plastic, saving energy, upcyling, climate change, and clean air; live-action and animated films about the ocean: sharks, whales, penguins, and living coral; kids tackling the challenges faced by today’s youth.

Kids to the Rescue • 11 films

Animation and live-action shorts for kids who care about our planet from Germany, Malta, Turkey, China, the UK and US.

Care to Change • 15 films

Empowering animation, live-action, and music video shorts highlighting the actions of kids to bring about positive change.

Enviro/Adventure Feature Film: The Sentries of the Delta

Adventures of children at an environmental camp in the Danube Delta Natural Reserve between Romania and the Ukraine.

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Special Valentine’s Day Program: Monday, February 14

Films available for viewing from Feb 14, 12am – Feb 21, 11:45pm

Matters of the Heart • 10 films

A Valentine to silly, sweet, deep and unconditional love from Canada, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, Iran, the UK and US.

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As you know, KIDS FIRST! has been celebrating its 30th Anniversary this week, with a film festival co-hosted by News-O-Matic. Today is the last day to watch films at the co-hosted festival so, take a little bit of time to watch some phenomenal films by indie and student filmmakers worldwide. Go to https://newsomatic-kfff.eventive.org/welcome. It’s Free! It’s Fun! There’s shorts and features for kids of middle school age, plus younger and older. Just look at the tabs under each film to see what age group it’s recommended for.

The team at News-0-matic has selected over 60 films from indie and student filmmakers worldwide and their festival is completely sponsored so it is FREE for you to attend. Plus it is entirely Virtual, so you can watch from anywhere. You can reserve a ticket for any of the 5 Virtual Screenings we have scheduled this week with themes about Animals (Real and animated), Animation (Lots and lots of animation), Earth & Science, Foreign Insights, and Life and Family.  Each virtual screening block consists of a collection of short films that last for approximately 90 to 120 minutes. Each block premieres on a specific day this week, but you can then watch it anytime between that day and the last day of the festival, January 17, which is also the last day to vote. Remember to vote for your favorite so we can honor the filmmakers who have worked so hard to bring you entertaining, engaging and thoughtful content.

Please, think big and take time to check out the News-o-Matic / KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. I can almost guarantee you that some of these budding filmmakers will become tomorrow’s top filmmakers.

Cheers!

Your buddies at KIDS FIRST!