Filmmakers
Kids love watching movies. But what about kids who want to make them? Not surprisingly, there are plenty of examples out there of movies made by children. In fact, there are even film festivals just for them and one, The Kids Film It Festival, was started by Ryan Levine when he was twelve years old!
The Children’s Collection is honored to partner with the KidzCINEMA, an international film festival in Mumbai, India, to collect official selections from their 2021 event. Click on the images below to view their films.
My Superpower
Winner of the Golden Gaja Award, Kidz Made Films, Juniors, KidzCINEMA 2022
Synopsis: In his search for his superpower, nine year old Maxwell discovers that his words have the power to help and to harm.
Written, directed, and produced by nine-year-old Maxwell Andrews, from Aukland, New Zealand. Maxwell loves acting, watching movies and making his own movies.
Artist statement:
Thanks for watching my movie about the power of kind and encouraging words. I hope you enjoy it. I had fun making it. Thanks, from Maxwell.
Walk With Me (Camino conmigo)
Synopsis: When we are born, we are labeled and separated. But if we walk together, it will be easier to choose our own path.
Made by the students of 8 and 9 years old of the Public School "C.E.I.P. Serrería" of Valencia (Spain), on the subject of coeducation, equality and gender identity.
When We Finally Understood (Cuando nos dimos cuenta)
Synopsis: We thought that after the pandemic everything would go back to the way it was before. It was not so.
Made by 11 and 12-year-old students from the "C.E.I.P. Serrería" Public School in València (Spain), on the subject of ecology, sustainability, recycling and environmental education.
What’s Wrong With Me (No sé qué me pasa)
Winner of the Silver Gaja Award, Kidz Made Films, Juniors, KidzCINEMA 2022
Synopsis: We felt exhausted and depressed. We didn't know what was happening to us. But one day something magical happened.
Made by 10 and 11-year-old students from the "C.E.I.P. Serrería" Public School in València (Spain), on the subject of healthy life.
The Power of the Mirror (El poder del espejo)
Winner of the Golden Gaja Award, Kidz Made Films, youth, KidzCINEMA 2021
Synopsis: Vera observes how the boys take over the playground of her school every day, leaving the girls without space. Soon a superpower will emerge from her that will help girls have the same rights as boys.
Play
Synopsis: A boy lives in a world of plastic
Written, directed, shot, and performed by Nathan Ko
Completely ordinary lives of tenants
Synopsis: Stop motion film created as part of the Drustvo Slon Educational Animation Film Programme, Ljubljiana, Slovenia, and the Narodno Sveuciuste Dubrava (People's University Dubrava), Zagreb, Croatia.
Sticky Affirmations by Phoenix Martin
Synopsis: Meet Emily and Sarah, two longtime friends now in high school, who are facing life's little
challenges while growing up. From making up after small arguments to surviving failed exams, these girls work together to lift each other up before leaving for college. When life takes a small downturn, Emily and Sarah have a solution that works for them for the everyday mishaps and mistakes - one that sticks!
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Click on the images below to find out more about other kid filmmakers around the world!
Aryan Ashory is a 16-year old poet and filmmaker from Afghanistan who now lives with her family in a refugee camp in Germany. Her poem “Hey Talib” speaks directly to the Taliban. She was featured on PBS News Hour in October 2021, and on Audible's "Voice of a Refugee" in December 2020.
Saugat Bista directed the full-length feature film, Love You Baba, when he was 8 years old. It garnered two awards at the National Film Awards in Nepal, where Bista received the "Appreciation for youngest director" award.
Marina Bruno made her first official short film at age 16 and then founded her production company Wondering Pictures.
Phillip Youmans wrote and directed his first film, “Burning Cane,” in high school. It won two awards at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019, along with the festival’s Founders Award. Youmans is the youngest and first black director to receive that honor.
Brooklynn Prince wrote and directed Colours, a short movie which premiered on Curated by Facebook, when she was 8 years old.
Alan Becker is an American online animator, YouTube personality and artist, best known for creating the Animator vs. Animation web series, shorts, and spin-offs, which first went viral when Alan was 16.
The Kids Film It Festival is not only for kid filmmakers, it was founded by one: 12-year-old Ryan Levine. Ryan’s dream was to find a way to pair his passion for movies with a philanthropic cause that hit very close to home for his family – Parkinson’s Research.