The KIDS FIRST! Film Festival showcases new and classic children's films, TV programs, digital programming, DVDs and screenplays 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 BEFORE YOU SUBMIT. Thank you

By submitting once to KIDS FIRST!, it is like submitting to 50 festivals individually. Not all 50 festivals will play your film/feature your screenplay, but it will be considered.

Note that KIDS FIRST! Film Festival affiliates do not pay a screening fee and films that are played at their events are FREE to pass-holders. There are no individual admission fees although there may be a festival admission fee.

DO NOT SUBMIT if you want to receive a screening fee.

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 Soundview Media Partners.

Screenwriters take note: Acceptance of your screenplay by KIDS FIRST! will get you coverage you can use to promote your screenplay. While our venue partners tend to focus more on screening finished films over screenplays. Although some may include screenplays.

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.
PLEASE DO NOT say "all ages" or "ages 5 to 100"!

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, you will receive an automated notification which includes the deliverables needed in order to proceed adding your film to our festival offerings. You will be asked to submit an electronic file of your film if it is a short, or a trailer if a feature. Once received, we will upload your film to our password protected film programmer's site. This is not a public site. It is for screening and downloading purposes only by programmers with our affiliated venues.

Feature films will only have a trailer on our programmer's site. When one of our affiliates requests a full length screener, we will connect them with you to get that. We will have them reach out to you for appropriate promotional materials once your film has been accepted for their festival or event.

Once your film gets booked by one of our partners, you will receive an update via email. When you see your booking, we strongly recommend that you contact the individual festival directly to see how you might collaborate in promoting your screening and whether or not you plan to attend the event.

We strongly encourage attending any festival where your film is featured and 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!

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!