Register Now for LA Mini-Boot Camp on November 16
Wednesday, November 6th, 2013
For kids wishing to enter our 2014 Film Critics Search Competition, we are offering a mini-boot camp in Los Angeles on November 16 in partnership with A&B Productions, Paramount and Disney. Hurry, as you must register by November 12.
We also have a live audition in New York on December 14 thanks to our partner KiDz HuB and Microsoft. There is a screening of the film “Christmas Bounty” the night before, one of the films selected to review. For details, please visit the search landing page.
Does your child love films and love being on camera? Here’s a chance for him or her to become a star as a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. Our annual Film Critic Search Competition is now underway. The national competition is open to all U.S. children, ages 7 to 15. To enter, submit your child’s written and videotaped review of one of the five Official Competition Films then, get their friends and family to vote. Your child could be one of twelve winners who will review all the newest films rated PG-13 or younger, interview celebrities on and off the Red Carpet and appear on our #1 rated weekly radio show, KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions on the Voice America Kids Network.
Public voting determines the finalists and a panel of celebrity judges select the winners which will be announced on or around January 15, 2014. Past competitions have generated more than 11 million votes for the child contestants – a number in line with “Dancing with the Stars” or “American Idol.” Judges for this year’s competition include: Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Landmark Theaters, HDNet Movies and Magnolia Pictures; Ben Lyons, film critic for the show, EXTRA and frequent contributor to ‘Good Morning America’; Thelma Adams, a Yahoo! Contributing Editor whose column “Thelma Adams on Reel Women” runs on AMC Filmcritic.com; George Pennacchio, entertainment reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News team in Los Angeles KABC-TV.
The Official Competition Films include: Planes, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Iron Man: Heroes United, Dear Dumb Diary and Christmas Bounty. All films are available this fall in DVD/Blu-ray or online at Amazon.com.
The KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program, now in its fourth year, teaches kids to be critical viewers and users of media. Reviews by the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics reach an audience of more than 4+ million every month through broadcast, print and online media companies such as Voice America Kids Network, HDNet Movies kidScene, WorkingMother.com, GrandMagazine.com, LA Parent, Colorado Parent, Westchester Family and more. Coaching is available to every child entering the competition in the form of guidelines, tips and webinars on the campaign’s website. Although the competition is restricted to 12 winners, every child who enters wins by learning valuable skills and has a chance to shine! Every contestant will receive a free skin for their mobile device from Zing Revolution.
The KIDS FIRST! Film Critics have made a name for themselves in Hollywood, interviewing talent on the red carpet and off and reporting about the latest films rated PG-13 or younger. More than 750 video film reviews have been posted to the KIDS FIRST! YouTube Channel in the last 30 months, with over a quarter of a million views. The youth reporters have covered more than 300 films and events including: Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards, Planes, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Gravity, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, Epic, Jobs, Lee Daniel’s The Butler, Planes, Turbo, Grown Ups 2, Despicable Me 2, The Lone Ranger, Man of Steel, After Earth and many more. They have interviewed John Lasseter (Pixar), Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Mel Brooks, Duane “the Rock” Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Ang Lee, Kirk De Micco, Selena Gomez, Nick Cannon and more.
Recent research shows that, during their school age years, most U.S. children spend more hours watching media than the hours they spend in school. Not all children’s media is bad; in fact, many programs can help increase a child’s cognitive, social and behavioral skills. Fundamental to KIDS FIRST! mission is teaching children to make critical media choices so that they seek out and use media in a beneficial way. The KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program is part of a national outreach effort to promote the concept of critical media viewing to thousands of children and families nationwide by sharing the skills they develop by reviewing media on a weekly basis.
As for the winners, here are what some of the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics’ parents have to say about their participation:
“First and foremost, thank you for giving Brianna the opportunity to participate in such an amazing opportunity. This experience has definitely helped her with her confidence level and has enhanced her critical thinking skills.” Parents of Brianna Hope Beaton
Gerry is now 11 and his vocabulary, public speaking ability and interviewing skills have increased drastically. Our young filmmaker truly blossomed under guidance of KIDS FIRST! Parents of Gerry O.
“Camille’s writing skills have improved and she is more comfortable and articulate in front of the camera while I’ve become more confident behind the camera. Overall, KIDS FIRST! has been a fabulous experience for Camille and myself and I highly recommend this program to other families who have children interested in becoming film critics!” Parent of Camille Bajema
“The bonus part of being KIDS FIRST! Film Critics are conducting red carpet interviews; attending press junket, watching all the new movie releases before they hit theaters. My daughter and I truly enjoy and proud to be part of KIDS FIRST! family. This journey has propelled Cheyenne to the next level in communication, reviewing and writing skills.” Parent of Cheyenne Nguyen
KIDS FIRST! is a project of the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media, a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1991 whose mission is to teach children critical viewing skills and to increase the visibility and availability of quality children’s media.
KIDS FIRST! evaluates, rates and endorses children’s films, DVDs, CDs, TV shows, apps and games using volunteer, community-based juries of adults and children from diverse backgrounds and offers a variety of means to showcase and enhance consumer awareness of sponsored products.
Industry supporters of the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Campaign include Amazon.com, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, ARC Entertainment, Warner Home Video, Walt Disney Home Entertainment . Campaign support also comes from national nonprofit organizations that include the National Education Association and the National Council of Women’s Organizations, with a cumulative membership of over 17 million.
Check out the following links.
For information about KIDS FIRST!
For information about the KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Campaign
Visit KIDS FIRST! on Facebook
Visit KIDS FIRST! on Twitter
On the heels of the success and industry recognition for its innovative format with the “Toy Story,” “Toy Story 2,” and “The Princess and the Frog” read-along applications, Disney Publishing Worldwide announces the availability of the “Toy Story 3” read-along app on the Apple iPad. Children can join Woody, Buzz, their pals, and a crew of new toys on the adventure of a lifetime in this fully interactive reading experience packed with eye-popping 3D effects, exciting games, sing-along tunes, multi-touch surprises, puzzles, and coloring pages. Children can hear the story read aloud, record their own narration, or explore at their own pace. 
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