NEWS

Join us October 27 for a conversation about the transformative power of film in this new era of virtual learning with storytellers, educators and students. This virtual event will be held on Zoom. Please register at Eventbrite at this link.

Messages from our filmmakers:
— Faiza Almontaser, now 27, directed POET AGAINST PREJUDICE at age 17
— Daunnette Moniz-Reyome, now 18, directed AGAINST THE CURRENT at age 17
— Mohammad Shasho, now 21, directed OUT OF ALEPPO at age 17
— Alcides Soares, now 30, directed HOME IS WHERE YOU FIND IT at age 16

Conversation about the transformative power of film in this era of virtual learning
— Holly Carter, BYkids Founder and Executive Director
— Kristina Kirtley, WNET Senior Producer, Content and Youth Engagement 
— Dustin Liu, global education advocate and student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
— Quetsiyah Lynch, sophomore, City College
— Brian Mateo, Bard College Associate Dean of Civic Engagement
— Matt Nink, President, Nink Group Educational Consulting

2020 Woodstock Film Festival awards AGAINST THE CURRENT directed by Daunnette Moniz-Reyome with Best Documentary Student Short.

Jury Statement: “We are thrilled to present the award for Best Documentary Student Short film to AGAINST THE CURRENT. The film is a beautiful celebration of Native American ritual, culture and humanity. This is a film both about reflecting on one’s self and the community as a whole. Expertly crafted by Daunnette Moniz-Reyome who at only 17 years old directed and narrated the documentary along with also being the cinematographer. Daunnette has a long career ahead of her and we can’t wait to see what she makes next!”

Director of FAITH’S WORLD, Faith Guilbault, is nominated for the 16th International Children’s Peace Prize, which is awarded each year to a child who has made a special effort to promote children’s rights and better the situation of vulnerable children. Last year, the prize was awarded to Greta Thunberg from Sweden and Divina Maloum from Cameroon. Three finalists will be announced by our patron and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu. On November 13th, the final winner of 2020 will receive the International Children’s Peace Prize with the world as their witness.

AGAINST THE CURRENT has been was selected by American Indian Film Festival screening virtually November 6-14. Congratulations to Daunnette Moniz-Reyome (BYkids filmmaker) and her mentor, Evan Mascagni. “See” you at the movies.

Daunnette Moniz-Reyome (age 17) lives on the UmoNHon Native American reservation in Nebraska and wants to inspire her peers to celebrate their culture, despite being surrounded by depression and addiction. INFO

In the film, Daunnette shares her family’s journey to retain the sacred rituals and values of their culture in the wake of centuries of loss from disease, war and government policies. 

The 45th annual American Indian Film Festival continues the American Indian Film Institute’s tradition of premiering the best of movies, music videos and original entertainment by, for and about American Indian and First Nations people. With 102 films, 55 world premieres, and nine days of virtual/online this year, the American Indian Film Festival maintains its focus on cinematic content that informs, educates, uplifts and invokes the catalyst of cathartic cultural exchange.

We are pleased to welcome Elisabeth Inzinna as our new Fall Intern. She will graduate from Eckerd College in May 2021 with a degree in Marketing. “Working with BYkids gives me will the opportunity to combine my passions of film and social justice effectively.” linkedin.com/in/elisabeth-inzinna-8a3473184

AGAINST THE CURRENT is an official selection of the 37th FACETS Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, the oldest and one of only two Oscar-qualifying children’s film festivals in the world. This year, the Oscar-qualifying festival will be offered online from November 12-22. INFO

Congratulations to director Daunnette Moniz-Reyome and her mentor, Evan Mascagni. AGAINST THE CURRENT has been selected for the 2020 Woodstock Film Festival (Sept. 30 to Oct. 4) as part of their Student Short program.

“In her film, Native American teen activist Daunnette Moniz-Reyome shares her family’s journey to retain the sacred rituals and values of their culture in the wake of centuries of loss from disease, war and government policies,” says Shorts Programmer Amanda Naseem. TICKETS

Thanks to the Professional BusinessWomen of California (PBWC) for the opportunity to close the first day of your For Good conference with 6,000 powerhouse women including Cate Blanchett, Lisa Ling and Tererai Trent. WATCH HERE

Great news! FAITH’S WORLD (one of four new films for Season Three of FILMS BYKIDS to be broadcast on public television in early 2021) has been selected for the 23rd United Nations Association Film Festival.

In FAITH’S WORLD, 16-year-old Faith Guilbault shares life with physical disability and her wish that students and society embrace our similarities, not our differences.

“The Jury reviewed almost 600 submissions and found your film to be extremely pertinent and well suited for this year’s festival theme, THE POWER OF EMPATHY, and we feel strongly that the audience will be captivated by your work.” The festival usually happens at Stanford University, but this year will be held virtually. The film will be open to California residents starting at midnight on Thursday, October 22 and culminate with a panel discussion on Friday, October 23 at 6 pm PT. TICKET INFO

I COULD TELL YOU ‘BOUT MY LIFE is selected by the San Francisco Documentary Festival to screen September 3-20! Congratulations to the amazing team that brought this film to the world including Mike Martin, Chiemi Karasawa and Hollis Meminger.

19-year-old Michael Martin reflects on his life in Harlem, his interests in music and art, and how his incarceration on Rikers Island affected him. His film plays in Shorts Program 3 – The Real World: Four ways to tell unique African-American stories: through self-reflection, poetry, essay and oral history. TICKETS