FILMS BYKIDS


"Home Is Where You Find It" (Mozambique)
Feeds January 19, 2016

16-year old Alcides Soares, like hundreds of thousands of kids in Mozambique, lost his parents to AIDS. Alcides is living apart from his sister and searching for a little brother he hasn't seen in 10 years. While he found shelter with a neighbor, many of Alcides' friends are living on their own, hoping for a better situation. Mentored by filmmakers Neal Baer and Chris Zalla, Alcides conveys his inspiring story about finding family and how he and his young friends face hardship with dignity and resilience.

"My Country Is Tibet" (Tibet)
Feeds January 19, 2016

India is home to tens of thousands of Tibetan refugees. But only one–17-year old Namgyal Wangchuk Trichen Lhagyari–was crowned King of Tibet by the Dalai Lama. The only living descendent of Songtsen Gampo, the first Dharma King of Tibet (617-698 AD), this young exiled king doesn't live in a palace; he lives in a settlement and does chores. It's unclear whether he will ever be able to return to his homeland and assume the responsibilities of king. Mentored by filmmaker Dirk Simon, Namgyal shows how he and other young exiles preserve their traditional culture while hoping to return to an independent Tibet.

"Fire In Our Hearts" (India)
Feeds January 19, 2016

Like most girls from rural India, 16-year-old Jayshree Janu Kharpade never expected to get an education. Instead, she had to work to help support her family. But union organizers were determined that girls from poor tribal villages have a better future and built a school. Film mentor, Joyce Chopra, a pioneer of documentary film, helped Jayshree share her journey from illiterate laborer, to scholar and young activist - in this powerful story that illuminates the social and economic potential of educating girls in the developing world.

"Displaced But Not Defeated" (Colombia)
Feeds January 19, 2016

For decades, civil war has raged in Colombia. Violence has displaced millions of people, like 16-year old Marķa Ceballos, who fled her home when guerrillas killed her father. Moving from gang-infested settlements to over-crowded rooms, Marķa's family finds comfort among fellow displaced families and moments of joy in creative endeavors. Through her lens and mentored by filmmaker Susan Hoenig, Marķa puts a human face on displacement.

"Poet Against Prejudice" (United States)
Feeds January 29, 2016

Moving to a new country was challenging for Faiza Almontaser, a 17-year-old from New York City, who immigrated with her family to the US from Yemen when she was in middle school. She faced vicious bullying because of her Islamic identity and lost close friends to hate crimes. Through it all, her family still embraced their new home, and Faiza found a creative outlet for self-expression. Mentored by the legendary pioneer of direct cinema, Albert Maysles, Faiza's film documents her courageous and inspiring journey from victim to activist.