KIDS FIRST! News

Based on the popular children’s book by Donna Morgan it is about a dog whose fur turns into money.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kyla C. comments, “Have you ever imagined what it would be like to have a dog that sheds money? Welcome to the life of twins Dax (Mason Blomberg) and Zoe Taylor (Juju Journey Brener). An absurd story is executed with comedy and charm, portraying the importance of family over money in the film The Furry Fortune.” Valerie R. adds, “What I like the most about this film is the brother-sister relationship Zoey and Dax have. I also adore how the actors make their characters look and feel like they are a family. The acting by the child actors is outstanding.” See their full reviews below.

The Furry Fortune
By Kyla C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to have a dog that sheds money? Welcome to the life of twins Dax (Mason Blomberg) and Zoe Taylor (Juju Journey Brener). An absurd story is executed with comedy and charm, portraying the importance of family over money in the film The Furry Fortune.

The Furry Fortune follows Dax and Zoe on their adventures as they start out as bored and neglected children and navigate their way through unexpected events to eventually arrive at a very important realization. Not only does Furry Fortune focus on Dax and Zoe’s lives, but it also shows snippets of their parents, Doug (Shane Hartline) and Emily Taylor (Mo Allen), and their next door neighbors, William Kearst  (Adam Kulbersh) and Odom Kearst (Mason Wells). The neighbors are willing to do whatever it takes for money, which becomes a problem when the Taylors are forced to hide their windfall from everyone. Will the secret stay a secret, or will the money become a curse rather than a blessing?

The acting in The Furry Fortune truly makes so much of a difference. Specifically, Mason Blomberg and Juju Journey Brener, as the twins, emphasize the message of the film. Through their sad and left out expressions, we are able to further relate to the characters and understand the importance of the theme. Their parents are constantly putting work and money over spending time with their kids, and the twins demonstrate the effect it has on them. In addition, the acting performances of Shane Hartline and Mo Allen, as the parents, show what not to do, and how one person’s actions can affect someone so much without them even realizing it. Without these in-depth acting performances, the message wouldn’t be as strong or seem as relevant to viewers’ lives. The comedy throughout provides a nice break from some of the sadder and more serious moments. On top of some jokes and hilarious moments, the film is funny as a whole because of the absurdity of the world they are living in — a dog that sheds money?  How much more ridiculous can a film get? But it is such a fun concept and kept me engaged the entire time.

The message of The Furry Fortune is that time can make more money, but money can’t make more time. Dax and Zoe think that the more money you have, the happier you will be. They both come to realize that if you spend all of your time chasing money, you lose time that you can’t get back. The Furry Fortune emphasizes the importance of putting family first and spending time doing the things you love with the people you love while you can. There is some very mild inappropriate language.

I give The Furry Fortune 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. It releases on video on demand and DVD beginning August 1, 2023.

The Furry Fortune
By Valerie R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

The Furry Fortune is a very entertaining film about learning to not take advantage of the things you have. Also it reminds us that family should always come first, especially before money.

The story follows young twins, Zoey (Juju Brener) and Dax (Mason Bloomberg), and their dog Nuzzles (Henry) who sheds money from his fur due to a wish Dax made to help their mother (Mo Allen) and father (Shane Heartline) who are struggling with money. They end up with so much money and it gets in the way of their family, plus their neighbors get suspicious of how the Taylor family suddenly has so much money. This makes them obsessed with finding out their secret.

What I like the most about this film is the brother-sister relationship Zoey and Dax have. I also adore how the actors make their characters look and feel like they are a family. The acting by the child actors is outstanding. I love how Zoey’s characteristics are mature, sassy, smart and very grown up. Dax characteristics on the other hand are very childish, sweet and kind. The actors show what siblings actually act like — even when they fight, they still love each other. The neighbors, William Kearst III (Adam Kulbersh) and his son Odom Kearst (Mason Wells), bring humor into the film by their spying on the Taylor family.

I also really enjoyed the cinematography; the images are steady, in focus, and very clear. Another thing worth mentioning are the set designs — the Taylor family’s house feels like a nice, clean and cozy home. And, the twin’s treehouse with all its gadgets, pulleys and other crazy stuff that allows people to go in and out of the tree house is outstanding.

The film’s message is to never take what you have for granted and that family is everything! It also reminds us that money can’t buy you happiness, so appreciate what you have and always make family a priority. Never let anyone or anything get in the way of family; family always comes first.

I give The Furry Fortune 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. It releases on video on demand and DVD beginning August 1, 2023.

Follows the iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Caro and his editor, the literary giant Robert Gottlieb, in this chronicle of a unique 50-year professional relationship. Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Robert Caro and legendary editor Robert Gottlieb, have worked and fought together for 50 years, forging one of publishing’s most iconic and productive partnerships. Directed by Gottlieb’s daughter, Lizzie Gottlieb, Turn Every Page explores their remarkable creative collaboration, including the behind-the-scenes drama of the making of Caro’s The Power Broker and the LBJ series. With humor and insight, this unique double portrait reveals the work habits, peculiarities and professional joys of these two ferocious intellects. It arrives at the culmination of a journey that has consumed both their lives and impacted generations of politicians, activists, writers and readers, and furthered our understanding of power and democracy.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “I found this documentary so interesting because it balances entertainment, humor and education. I like that this documentary teaches us about many people that no one truly knows about, especially those from my generation. I learned so much about the power and influence Robert Moses held in New York City and the power and influence President Johnson wielded during his political career.  Their impact is so deep and wide and yet so different.” See her full review below.

Turn Every Page – The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Turn Every Page – The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb is not only a terrific documentary, but also a very entertaining film. It isn’t an action-packed movie where you’ll be glued to your seat, but it is a wonderful story about two of the most important people in our literary community – Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb.

Robert Caro is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American author best known for his biographies of President Lyndon B. Johnson and New York political figure Robert Moses.  Robert Gottlieb is an American editor who has been editor-in-chief of Simon & Schuster, Alfred A. Knopf, and The New Yorker.  Caro and Gottlieb have worked together for more than 50 years. Documentarian Lizzy Gottlieb, Robert Gottlieb’s daughter, spent five years on the film and gives us an up close and very personal view of each of these amazing men, their work, their passion for their work and their working relationship.

I found this documentary so interesting because it balances entertainment, humor and education. I like that this documentary teaches us about many people that no one truly knows about, especially those from my generation. I learned so much about the power and influence Robert Moses held in New York City and the power and influence President Johnson wielded during his political career.  Their impact is so deep and wide and yet so different.  And this is also true about Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb, as they contributed so much to American literature working together and also are very different.  They have such a passion for what they do—they even ‘go to war’ over commas and semicolons.

One of my favorite lines from the movie is from Robert Gottlieb, “He does the work.  I do the cleanup.” This movie also shows what goes on behind the scenes of writing a book. There is so much that goes into it, and it’s enlightening to know what that is. Watching this documentary may even inspire you to read The Power Broker about Robert Moses or the Lyndon Johnson biography series.

The message and purpose of this documentary is to highlight the shared dedication and working relationship of these two literary men. There is some language that might be offensive to some.

I give Turn Every Page – The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, but especially adults. The film is playing now in select cities.

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, 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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WATCH THE FREE FILMS – Chat with the Creatives

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 and live stream interviews/Q&A sessions with filmmakers and crew.

Join us online with the filmmaking creatives! Details and free tickets here.

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

On-demand viewing: Feb 12, 12:00am – Feb 21, 11:45pm HST

Follow the adventures of the small but mighty gang. Episode features a “sign over” performance by deaf actress Shaylee Mansfield.

Live stream interview/Q&A: Feb 12, 12:00pm-12:30pm

Johanna Stein, Executive Producer and Showrunner
TJ Sullivan, Supervising Director
Justin Maurer, ASL Consultant
Delbert Whetter, ASL Consultant
Jevon Whetter, ASL Consultant  

On-demand viewing: Feb 12, 12:00am – Feb 21, 11:45pm HST

Three hand-painted animated shorts: Blue Cooler, Hepa, & Rolling Down Like Pele

Live stream conversation with Laura Margulies: Feb 12, 1:00pm-1:30pm HST

Laura Margulies combines motion, color, texture, live action, rhythm and sound to create award-winning, expressive films. She often animates with paint in a stop motion style. Her films have screened worldwide; her commissioned work has aired on CBS, MTV, VH1, and the Sundance Channel. She is an Assistant Professor of animation at the Academy of Creative Media at UH Mānoa.

On-demand viewing: Feb 19, 12:00am – Feb 21, 11:45pm HST

Four animated shorts: Lilly Goes to the Dogs, Lilly Goes Fishing,  Lilly and the Baby, & Pollution Solution

Live stream chat with members of the Bum Family: Feb 19, 11:30am-12:00pm HST

The Bum Family are a group of Calgarian cousins – Maezy, Medina, and Zaiyah Dennie and Berlin, Ocean, and Sol Demuth – who create anarchy, hilarity and art. They write the concepts, create the artwork, direct, animate. and edit their award-winning films together, and recently made a short film for preschoolers for Sesame Street. Representing will be Maezy Dennie (age 19), Medina Dennie (age 17), and Zaiyah Dennie (age 15).

On-demand viewing: Feb 20, 12:00am – Feb 21, 11:45pm HST

Eleven-year-old Bobo Gallagher is the youngest person to cross the ʻAlenuihāhā Channel via wing foil. His sister Deveraux directed and edited the documentary of his journey.

Live stream interview/Q&A with Bobo Gallagher and Deveraux Gallagher: Feb 20, 11:30am-12:00pm HST

Get the back-story on the Channel crossing, and whatʻs next for water athlete Bobo and his sister Devereaux.

On-demand viewing: Feb 20, 12:00am – Feb 21, 11:45pm HST

Two episodes: The Adventure Begins is the origin story of the series. In Noise Pollution, the MeteoHeroes rescue a pod of dolphins in the Pacific Ocean who are disoriented by a shipʻs powerful sonar.

On-demand viewing: Feb 20, 12:00am – Feb 21, 11:45pm HST

Pre-recorded: Interview with Luigi Latini, Creator/Executive Producer of MeteoHeroes, which airs in over 140 countries and is dubbed in 20 languages. He is CEO and Partner of the famous private Weather Center in Italy, MOPI (Meteo Operations Italia). Latini stated, “MeteoHeroes was born precisely from our need to put kids first in education towards the need to recycle, consume better, fight pollution and tackle climate change….”

Live stream Q&A with Kenn Viselman, Showrunner/Executive Producer: Feb 20, 1:00pm-1:30pm

Kenn Viselman has created, produced, marketed and consulted on dozens of family entertainment projects and is the producing partner behind the Teletubbies in the Western Hemisphere. He is currently the showrunner for Moonzy, which has garnered over 10 billion views on YouTube, as well as MeteoHeroes, the definitive family series about climate change.­­