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.

Thanks to Mekita Rivas, writer and editor with Assembly, for a profile of Faith Guilbault, director of FAITH’S WORLD. Assembly is the digital publication of the Malala Fund.

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BYkids hosted two special screenings for educators in March. Talking with kids about climate change can be difficult to navigate and we gave educators a chance to hear Edelsin Mendez, age 12, tell her family’s story in her 27-minute film.

BYkids wins TWO Anthem Awards for best non-profit in Education, Art & Culture honoring our long-lasting impact and recognizing the breadth of our social good work around the world.  

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences chose BYkids as the Silver winner in two categories for non-profits in Education, Art & Culture: Best Strategy and Best Campaign in the inaugural Anthem Awards.  

“BYkids is leading the way in the Impact Industry,” says Jessica Lauretti, Managing Director, The Anthem Awards. “It is our distinct honor to recognize your work for systemic change.”  

BYkids was selected from nearly 2,500 entries from 36 countries by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences by social impact leaders including Daniel Dae Kim (actor and activist), Ashley Judd (actor and social justice humanitarian) and Shayla Tait (director of philanthropy, The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation).  

Presented by The Webby Awards, the Anthem Awards amplify the voices that spark global change and are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. Founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF and XQ.  

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