The KIDS FIRST! Film Festival showcases new and classic children's films, TV programs and DVDs from studios, independent producers and youth producers. KIDS FIRST! partners with more than 50 venues that showcase its selections for their kids and family programming. Please read our festival description carefully and do not submit if anything is unsuitable to you.

This is a great way to spread your promotional budget by submitting once to KIDS FIRST! and reaching 50 festivals by doing so. That does not mean all 50 festivals will play it but it will be offered to all of them for their consideration.

Before you submit: Please read our description below and go to www.kidsfirst.org for additional information on how our festival works.

This is critical: Note that KIDS FIRST! film festival partners do not pay licensing fees and the films that are played at their events are offered for FREE to their clients. There is no individual admission charged although there may be an overall festival admission fee.

Please do not submit if you want to receive a licensing fee. It is non-negotiable.

Awards & Prizes

Each KIDS FIRST! venue partner offers their own awards and prizes.

Accepted feature films will get a First Look opportunity for distribution by Engine 15 Media Group and Soundview Media Partners.

Screenwriters take note: Acceptance of your screenplay by KIDS FIRST! will get you coverage that you can use to promote your screenplay. While our venue partners tend to focus more on finished films over screenplays, in some cases, our screenwriters have secured production offers as a result of our relationship with more than 48 venues that are affiliated with KIDS FIRST!

Rules & Terms

Accepted titles must meet or exceed the KIDS FIRST! criteria and be appropriate for exhibition on a large screen.
Criteria include:
NO gratuitous violence or abuse
NO inappropriate sexual behavior
NO bias in terms of race, gender, culture or religion
NO condescension toward children
NO replicable unsafe behavior

Include in your description the age group you film is most suitable for. DO NOT say "all ages"! DO NOT say, "ages 5 to 100"! Be specific. i.e. Ages 5 to 15. If suitable for adults as well, you may add, adults will enjoy too.

Once accepted, a film may not be pulled from the Festival by the filmmaker for any reason. By submitting your film, you are agreeing to comply with this and all other requirements.

By submitting your film, you are warranting that you are authorized to commit the film for screening and accept full responsibility to provide the correct format of your film to our venue partners for festival play.

By submitting this film, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Once we accept your film through filmfreeway, you will receive an automated notification which includes the deliverables we need in order to proceed adding your film to our festival. You will be asked to send us an electronic file of your film if it is a short, of its trailer if a feature. Once received, we will upload your film to our password protected film programmer's site on vimeo. This is not a public site. It is for screening and downloading purposes only by our venue partners. We do not have an online film festival. If this is a problem for you, don't submit your film to us as this is the only way we can promote it to our 50+ venue partners.

Feature films will only have their trailer on our film programmer's site. When one of our partners needs a full length screener, we will contact you directly to request either an electronic file or a hard copy be sent to them. We will also put you in contact with them to provide appropriate promotional materials.

Once your film gets booked by one of our partners, you will receive an update from our database which generates weekly updates on all new bookings. When you see your booking, we strongly recommend that you contact the individual festivals yourself to see in what ways you can be of assistance in promoting your screening and, whether or not you plan to attend the event.

We strongly encourage attending any festival your films is shown at, if logistically possible. Additionally, we strongly suggest that you promote your screening/s to your personal network of friends and family.

Screening times and dates are solely at the discretion of our venue partners so, please communicate with them, not KIDS FIRST! once your film has been accepted.

32 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Aram Katz

    My screenplay "Clyde and Bear" was selected. Since then, I have no idea what to do since most goes towards the actual film makers and the screenwriters' assistance and networking part to get the writing viewed or sold seems to lag. This is a bit disappointing and I am hoping more will go to the writing side as well. The coverage is great and fair and they communicate really well with questions, but writers do get limited exposure and next to no assistance with networking. It hope this changes soon.

    April 2020
    Helpful
    Kffflogosamssmv2
    Response from festival:

    Aram, sorry you are dissatisfied with our acceptance and coverage of your screenplay. We try to make it clear from the get go that primarily what you will get from our acceptance is coverage you can use to promote your screenplay. Our venue partners do focus more on finished films over screenplays, although in some cases, our screenwriters have secured production offers as a result of our relationship with more than 48 venues that are affiliated with us. We do wish you the best with your screenplay. Be safe, healthy and happy. KIDS FIRST!

  • Freia Titland

    I was incredibly happy to learn that my script, Asta's Journey, was included in this fest. The feedback was valuable and appreciated. Thank you!

    April 2020
    Helpful
    Kffflogosamssmv2
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Freia for your kind words. We are most appreciative. As you know, one thing that KIDS FIRST! does that is different from other festivals is that we give you feedback on your submission, whether it is accepted or not. We feel it is part of our mission to do that. Of course, we are delighted to have accepted your script and hope that you are able to get it produced and one day we will review your finished film. Wouldn't that be lovey. Be safe from the coronavirus and may be meet in person one day. KIDS FIRST!

  • Matthew Agustin

    Thank you so many Kids Firts! Film Festival for giving me the opportunity to share my grandfather story. Excellent communication.

    April 2020
    Helpful
    Kffflogosamssmv2
    Response from festival:

    You are most welcome Matthew. Your story about your grandfather is so touching and real! Thanks for creating this film. Hope you are safe and healthy.
    From all of us at KIDS FIRST!

  • Murat Karamanoglu

    Everything was perfect, Thank you very much.

    February 2020
    Helpful
    Kffflogosamssmv2
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Murat. Appreciate your kind comments. Enjoy your week.
    KIDS FIRST!

  • Steve Brumwell

    Good communication and timely notifications.

    January 2020
    Helpful
    Kffflogosamssmv2
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Steve for your kind comments. We enjoy working with you also. Very professional and timely in communicating. Best wishes for the New Year
    KIDS FIRST!