Congratulations to OUT OF ALEPPO filmmaker, Mohammad Shasho, and his mentor, Anja Baron, on being named a finalist in the MY HERO International Film Festival.

Thanks to all our friends and partners, on screen and behind the scenes, who bring our films to life, and share them with kids in homes and classrooms around the world. Thank you to the United Nations Association of New York for hosting us at the Dolby Screening Room, Mike Martin for sharing his story, Chiemi Karasawa for her mentorship, Matt Nink for moderating, and Holly Carter for the her indefatigable work. 

United Nations Association of New York generously hosts a special documentary screening and talk-back with filmmakers and educators about Mike Martin’s personal narrative as it illuminates issues of youth incarceration and juvenile injustice for teachers and kids.

A huge thank you Maysles Documentary Center for screening of I COULD TELL YOU ‘BOUT MY LIFE as part of your Social Justice Showcase — bringing together filmmakers, community organizers, activists, experts, and NYC residents to discuss and educate on the social justice issues that impact the quality of life for NYC residents.

BYkids’ Holly Carter and mentor, Elizabeth Hummer, share Ndèye Fatou Fall’s story about life in Senegal, WALK ON MY OWN, at the Chicago International Film Festival.

BYkids screens and discusses POET AGAINST PREJUDICE at Greenwich High School for their Innovation Lab. We then spent a class viewing and critiquing the kids’ short documentaries. Thanks to parent, Alexandra Burnes Ornstein and teachers, Jessica von Brachel and Michael Belanger and all the great kids.

BYkids is thrilled to be invited by The Dalton School to discuss POET AGAINST PREJUDICE with Yom Fox’s senior elective, Thinking Globally, Acting Locally.

“Carter, a former writer for The New York Times, began the initiative after realizing the power of storytelling and film in creating human connections. BYkids explores current issues by giving children across the globe the opportunity to tell their stories through the art of filmmaking. With the help of a distinguished filmmaker, each child works as a director and cinematographer on their own film..It enables viewers to connect with the communities in the films and ultimately fosters empathy for everyone involved,” writes Mitra Farzami ’20

Honored to partner with LeadersQuest for top executives from Standard & Poors to watch and discuss I COULD TELL YOU ‘BOUT MY LIFE with filmmaker Mike Martin, his grandma and girlfriend at Friends of Island Academy with ED Chris Pahagian and Messiah Ramkissoon and NYU professor Terrence Coffie and LeadersQuest’s Lindsay Levin and Carol Ciancutti. Thanks to Friends for hosting our profound evening. “We loved the visit. The whole group was very moved by it, and inspired. There was much conversation afterwards about what they learned and what this meant for their leadership and their company,” said Lindsay.

BYkids is honored to present and discuss POET AGAINST PREJUDICE at Choate Rosemary Hall at the New York Arabic Teachers’ Council. Thanks to Susan Wicht and George Chahwan.

Carrie Wismer Yakola organizes two days of screening activities for Heronfield Academy, which screened FIRE IN OUR HEART. Holly Carter also screened I COULD TELL YOU ‘BOUT MY LIFE at Phillips Exeter Academy followed by a discussion about what it means to address real world topics through the voice of children. The next day, Ms. Carter led three grades through a master class in creating magic through their stories. The Heronfield Academy students spoke about topics such as “how adults have messed up the world” and “something one may not know by looking at me.”