KIDS First / Coalition for Quality Children's Media

KIDS First / Coalition for Quality Children's Media Don’t waste your hard earned money on entertainment before you listen to our KIDS FIRST! team.

A voluntary collaboration comprised of more than 100,000 media professionals, lobbyists, policymakers, child advocates, educators, parents and families nationwide, the Coalition aims to teach children to become critical media users, help adults recognize the importance of teaching critical viewing skills to children, help children identify and be aware of outstanding media programming, and develop programs for children with special needs such as low-income, hospitalized or at-risk children.

09/05/2026

🎉 BIG NEWS! KIDS FIRST! Annual Fundraising Drive Launches This Weekend—With an Exciting New Twist! 🎉
Our biggest fundraiser of the year kicks off this weekend, and we’re bringing you something completely new: a 6-Week Donation Sweepstakes!
From launch day through the next six weeks, every donation comes with an exclusive takeaway perk as our special thank-you for supporting KIDS FIRST! 🎁✨
How it works:
Donate Anytime (Next 6 Weeks): Make a contribution during our 6-week drive.
Score Perks: Instantly claim an exclusive giveaway item with your donation (while supplies last!).
Multiply Impact: Your support directly powers our mission to empower kids all year long.
Supplies are limited, so enter early during launch weekend to lock in the best perks before quantities run out!
👉 https://go.rallyup.com/kidsfirst-portugal2027/Campaign/Details
NO PURCHASE OR DONATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A donation does not increase your chances of winning. Open to legal residents. Void where prohibited. For full sweepstakes details and alternative free method of entry, see Official Rules at https://go.rallyup.com/kidsfirst-portugal2027/Campaign/Faqs

09/05/2026

Join Braedyn M. as he talks with director Dave Green about Coyote vs. ACME, which is available in cinemas now.

Mr. Green’s talents in the industry range from cinematographer to director; he is well known for his work on Earth to Echo, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.

The best way to sum up Coyote vs. ACME – pure, hilarious, cartoon chaos. Combining a mix of live-action and animation, classic Looney Tunes antics, and a story full of plot twists, this movie had me laughing on the edge of my seat the whole time. I love this film’s unique blend of live-action and animation. Though this movie is set in the real world, everywhere you look there are characters, items, or places that could only be found in the land of Looney Tunes. Will Forte and Lana Condor’s interaction with their animated cast members make their presence feel real even though they aren’t fully there during filming. Coupling that with advanced film technology that allows for increased cartoon and human interaction, this line-up of characters is truly ground-breaking.

The storyline is a multilayered twisting and turning mystery, with only a few moments being hard to follow. Showing how a simple incident can expand to literally decide the future of the Coyote and ACME gives intensity to the adventure. But no matter how serious the quest, whenever there are cartoons, there is sure to be humor. Wherever our pal Coyote finds himself, he’s always ready to laugh and light up a room, sometimes by unintentionally setting things or himself on fire. All these elements and more make Coyote vs. ACME a true knee-slapping adventure, one that I and my family enjoyed.

Coyote vs. ACME releases in theaters on August 28, 2026!

09/05/2026

Before The Ice Melts is really sad for most of the show because the main character, Nora (Molly Peyton), has so many challenges while pursuing her dreams. At times, risks to reach big goals are high, but this film teaches viewers to keep their eye on the prize and keep moving forward.

This storyline follows the journey of a 25-year-old woman, named Nora, who loves hockey and really wants to get drafted to a professional team. When her time comes, she doesn’t get a spot. Even though she is incredibly disappointed, she keeps playing hockey and finds a new intention for hockey.

Talk about lack of support…Nora’s mother, Carol (Sonia Satra) has a pessimistic outlook on Nora’s aspirations, which sets the film up immediately with an underlying tone of defeat. Additionally, Ted (Charles Hubbel), the father of one of Nora’s students, objects to his daughter, April (Summer Stein), practicing hockey skills which doubles down on the negative support Nora gets. While she does experience some self doubt, Nora is strong willed and pushes forward in spite of it which is incredibly inspiring! The characters and the actors that play them make this film come to life and, fortunately, others in Nora’s circle are more encouraging to her. Evan (Tommy Shelf) is the funniest and most supportive of Nora’s dream. He adds humor and lightheartedness whenever Nora is feeling down or nervous, which happens frequently. Tommy always looks on the bright side, which adds more positivity to the story. Nora’s sister, Carley (Nikki Leigh) encourages her to have a positive mindset and encourages her to follow her dreams. She is always on her side. My favorite scene is when Carley tells Nora to never stop her dream using a pizza box as a metaphor. It is witty and teaches a great lesson.

The film’s message is about having faith, perseverance and never giving up on what you love. It’s a reminder that when one door closes, another will open.

I give Before the Ice Melts 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. It releases on video on demand and streaming on September 8, 2026.

09/04/2026

Red carpet time! 🎤 Join KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kennedy P. at the premiere of Coyote vs. ACME. Watch as she catches up with the cast and crew to dive into the slapstick fun and uncover what it took to bring Wile E. Coyote and the ACME universe to life!

It was so great chatting with the stars and filmmakers to find out what it was really like bringing these iconic, beloved Looney Tunes characters to the big screen. Check out our exclusive interviews, fun cast moments, and all the behind-the-scenes action!In this hybrid live-action/animated legal comedy, Wile E. Coyote hires a down-on-his-luck personal injury attorney to take on ACME Corporation after decades of their defective gadgets backfiring during his pursuit of the Road Runner.

Watch as Kennedy catches up with stars Will Forte and John Cena to dive into the slapstick courtroom drama and discover what it took to bring these iconic Looney Tunes legends to the big screen!Available in cinemas now.

09/04/2026

Wow! I really love Before the Ice Melts! It has a great story, awesome acting, and a really good message. I like how real the characters feel, and how it kept me engaged the whole time.

Before the Ice Melts is about Nora (Molly Peyton White), a young woman who loves playing hockey and hopes to be drafted. On one of the biggest days of her life, she also struggles with the pressures of her mother (Sonia Satra), who keeps comparing her to her older sister, Carley (Nikki Leigh). With help from her best friend, Evan (Tommy Self), Nora learns to believe in herself and keep chasing her dream.If you like sports movies with heart, you'll really enjoy Before the Ice Melts. The cast is really terrific. Molly Peyton White is perfect as Nora. Tommy Self made me laugh at the perfect times, and I love how Nikki Leigh shows how much Carley cares about her sister. The hockey games and the draft scenes are exciting and held my attention.

I like that the movie shows you have to work hard to reach your goals because success doesn't happen overnight. I also really like how it made me feel like I was right there at the rink with Nora. The background music is perfect, especially during the big hockey moments, which makes those scenes even more exciting. And the cinematography makes the games feel fast and intense. My favorite part of the movie is how real everything feels to the point that I forgot I was watching a movie.

It releases on VOD and Streaming on September 8, 2026.

09/04/2026

Before the Ice Melts is an inspiring, slow-paced film for all hockey lovers. The costumes, set design, and camera work are amazing! There are so many inspiring quotes that support the message of never giving up.

Before the Ice Melts follows the talented hockey player Nora (Molly Peyton White) as she anxiously awaits the results of the hockey draft. The world is trying to tell her no, but she won't stop pursuing her dreams. With support from her big sister and agent Molly, she holds onto hope as the draft gets closer. You’ll have to watch the film to see if she accomplishes her dreams of becoming a professional hockey player.

Before the Ice Melts has a beautiful message, stunning cinematography, and excellent attention to detail that makes the film stand out not only visually, but in your heart. Some things definitely stood out to me as I watched the film, one of them being the unique shots and camera work by Jeff Hamm. It feels like I'm watching a major blockbuster film. Each shot has perfect lighting and attention to detail that captures what's happening in the scene. The set design and costumes also stand out – both work hand in hand to make the film feel real. Everything from Nora's bedroom, to the massive hockey rink is set up realistically. One critique I have is that the film sometimes feels slow, and drags on longer than they need to. For example, there are often long periods of time just watching hockey or a long conversation. In the end, this made me excited to see the results of the draft.

It is available on VOD and streaming on September 8, 2026.

09/03/2026

Finding Happy is a glorious documentary that truly changed the way I view having unconventional animals as pets. Every story is beautiful and it held my interest from start to finish. From the cinematography, pacing, and the people interviewed, every part shines in its own way.

The storyline follows Maria Bertrand as she tells the story of finding an injured baby sparrow, Happy, during Covid. She documents the bond she created with it during a time when she had no one else. Along the way she shares the stories of others with similar experiences, and how their animals, while unconventional, are their best friends.

The interview segments are so engaging and refine the stories being told. For example, whenever Maria is talking about her and Happy, her narration enhances whatever emotion is being conveyed. The other stories she shares are also inspiring, each in its own way. Everyone shares such beautiful and uplifting experiences. My personal favorite is Zach Skow and his dogs – while dogs may seem like a conventional pet, because of their struggles, they had to overcome and adapt to a new way of living. The visuals in this film are unbelievable. When Maria talks about how she first found Happy, the visual style switches to rotoscoping which animates the scene in an incredible way. When they are talking about animal images drawn on walls, the animals are sketched out slowly giving the illusion that they’re being drawn live. The pace is perfect - each interview is its own segment, so nothing ever lingers too long. Each scene connects well with the next so the story has good continuity.

Finding Happy releases on VOD and streaming on September 1, 2026.

09/03/2026

Finding Happy is the cutest and most wholehearted documentary I have ever seen! This emotional story centers around adorable animals with their human best friends. It shows how much light and positivity animals can bring into our everyday lives through forming close bonds, while also demonstrating that animals can help with healing from painful emotions.

Maria Bertrand is an animal and nature lover who experiences many difficult challenges. As she is out jogging, she finds an injured baby bird, with a broken beak, which will not allow him to return to the wild. Maria opts to keep the baby bird, names him Happy, and they create a unique bond that helps her to look inside herself, and find joy. Maria decides to travel the world visiting other people who have animals as their best friends, listening to their stories about how their animal companions helped them get out of a dark place in their lives.

Maria Bertrand is the writer, director, and the star of this program. She is great at exploring everyone's background stories, including those of their animal best friends, while displaying a common thread throughout all of the narratives. I enjoyed how she doesn’t just focus on dogs and cats as people’s pets, but she explores all animals. She meets people whose “best friends” are a cow, a goose, and a chicken. Maria even travels to Thailand to meet a lady who is friends with many elephants. This documentary made me smile, laugh, and understand the bonds that people have with their animal friends. None of their bonds form in the same way, which enhances the uniqueness between the pairs and the uniqueness of this film. My favorite part is where fun songs are added to the videos of Happy and other animals. These moments highlight how charming and entertaining these animal partners are.

Finding Happy is available on VOD, AVOD, and streaming now.

08/31/2026

Finding Happy is a documentary that shares inspiring stories of people who have rescued and cared for animals. I really enjoy how the film brings these stories to life through emotional moments, multiple points of views and a powerful message about the connection between people and animals.

The storyline mainly follows Happy, a sparrow who was injured and found on the roadside. His story is told along with stories of other rescued animals, including Honk, a goose who was abandoned in a pond, and Jenny, a cow who was considered not “useful,” and a woman who has rescued more than 100 elephants. Each story is different, but they all show the importance of giving animals a safe place to live and caring for them. It shows how animals can bring happiness, comfort and support to people while also reminding people why animals deserve to be protected.

The film shows us that rescuing an animal doesn't only change the animal's life, it makes a difference in the life of the rescuer as well. One of the strongest parts of Finding Happy is the different points of view it explores. Instead of only focusing on the animals, the documentary really examines the people who have rescued and cared for them. Each person portrays themselves and we hear their passion and emotion as they talk about their pets. The stories show how much animals can mean to people, especially during difficult times. Happy’s story is especially emotional because the relationship between him and his rescuer, Maria, shows how helping an animal can help bring happiness and purpose to someone’s life.

Finding Happy releases to VOD and streaming on September 1, 2026.

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