KIDS FIRST! announced the launch its annual KIDS FIRST! Film Critic
Search Competition today. 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. If your
child loves films and loves being on-camera, this is your chance for him or her to be a Star!
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
“It has been a learning experience and taping reviews has had its challenges but the staff at KIDS FIRST!
has always been there with helpful suggestions. Every month it has gotten a little easier. Morgan being
only seven had her challenges but she loves doing it and has gotten much better at it.” Parents of
Morgan Bertsch
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
“Written and oral communication are two of the best assets one can develop, and being a kid’s film critic
is a fantastic way to achieve this! With the KIDS FIRST thorough training, she now has real tools to help
her formulate her opinions, communicate her thoughts and inspire others to evaluate what they are
being offered in the media.” Parents of Talia Rashba
“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.
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