NEWS

So much exciting news!

BUDDHISM, BHUTAN AND ME won the One to Watch Award at the Asian American Film Festival.

AGAINST THE CURRENT has been selected for the Portland Film Festival (Oct. 12-23).

L’CHAIM AND I COULD TELL YOU ‘BOUT MY LIFE have been selected for the International Youth Film Festival in Atlanta at the Social Justice Symposium at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on October 27. 

The trailers of WALK ON MY OWN and I COULD TELL YOU ‘BOUT MY LIFE have been chosen for the My Hero Film Festival in LA (Nov. 19).

FAITH’S WORLD has been selected for the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (Nov. 4-20) and is showing at MoMA as part of the UN Association Film Festival on Sept. 21.

And, FAITH’S WORLD, FIRE IN OUR HEARTS and I COULD TELL YOU ‘BOUT MY LIFE are touring with the Science Film Festival to Bangladesh, India, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Mali, Pakistan, Singapore and Vietnam from Oct. 1 to Dec. 20.

BUDDHISM, BHUTAN AND ME is selected for the Asian American International Film Festival (aaiff45) taking place from August 3^rd – 13^th at the Asia Society in NYC.

Since 1978, Asian CineVision (ACV) has presented the annual Asian American International Film Festival, the first and longest film festival of its kind in the U.S. to showcase cinema by, for, and about Asian Pacific Americans. ACV is a non-profit media arts organization dedicated to producing, promoting and preserving Asian and Asian American media expressions by artists of Asian descent; to ensure that the full spectrum of Asian and Asian American media works reach diverse audiences in Asian American communities and beyond.

We are excited to announce that BYkids is partnering with the Youth Documentary Academy in Colorado Springs this summer. Holly Carter has been working as an Artist in Residence at the Academy, sharing BYkids films and teaching teens as they create their own films.

Thanks to Tom Shepard, the staff of YDA, and these 12 inspiring and brave kids.

We were thrilled to share our award-winning film, OUT OF ALEPPO, and experience the magic of the robust and personal conversation that our film inspired at an event hosted at Jim Brasher (BYkids Board member) and Jon Ambrose’s magnificent home in Sagaponack, NY.

The poignant reflections from the teens who were moved by Mo’s story of leaving Syria and settling in Germany gave us a taste of the profound conversations that BYkids films inspire in the classroom. Teachers use our films to guide meaningful discussions on how kids can help solve problems, find their own voice, and use storytelling to humanize global issues.

Our films, core-curriculum aligned School Guides, and Take Action Guides are invaluable resources for educators. BYkids films reach 83 million households through the PBS broadcast, 1.6 million teachers through PBS LearningMedia, and 4.5 million teachers and 45 million students through Discovery Education.

Funds raised will help produce four new films about environmental justice, climate activism, renewable energy and food security; to create professional development tools for teachers to generate an action agenda; and to hire administrative staff to achieve these objectives and increase impact.

BYkids is excited to announce this collaboration with the Human Rights Film Festival. What an honor to have presented this past May.

Panelists speak about the culture and resilience of Bhutan and preparing youth for the future in a virtual chat after screening BUDDHISM, BHUTAN AND ME. The BYkids film, by 18-year-old Rinzin Jurmey, documents how he – and his country –strive to preserve ancient practices and tradition under globalization’s pressure to modernize.

Panelists include H.E. Ambassador Doma Tshering (permanent representative of Bhutan to the United Nations), Holly Carter (BYkids founder and executive director) and Cat Papadimitriou (filmmaker and BYkids mentor). BYkids is honored to partner with the United Nations Association of New York in presenting this event.

Thanks to board member Stephanie Apt for dreaming up how to capture the profound impact of our work and our original story. Thanks to Stephanie for engaging the talented editor, Alyce Muhammad, and everyone at her production company, Final Cut, and to Javier Arau for the music.

After two years of Zoom, BYkids was delighted to host a full-house screening of FAITH’S WORLD, the inspiring story by Faith Guilbault about life with cerebral palsy. Following the film was a a lively conversation about building new funding and creative partnerships to boost the sustainability and impact of our work.

On May 29, we look forward to another gathering in the Hamptons to share stories through film that address climate change, advance learning, support racial and social equity, and spur action worldwide. 

Congratulations to BYkids director Daunnette Reyome and BYkids mentor, Evan Mascagni! The Scarab Short Film Festival has selected AGAINST THE CURRENT for their upcoming festival in Dubai!

The Scarab Short Film Festival (SSFF) is an internationally regarded independent short film festival that brings independent global cinema to the world stage. The festival is held in different countries each year. Dubai is hosting the next Scarab Short Film Festival and the online screening will be accessible to all.