Brooklyn, NY – For the third consecutive year, HITN/ KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Boot Camp, a week-long summer program designed to teach young teens the skills to critique and review films, has once again come to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. And in the coming months, some of these young participants will graduate and will start critiquing major motion pictures and hitting the red carpets to interview A-list celebrities.

This highly interactive program provides young teens from the boroughs of the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn with an experience in a professional setting of real master control rooms, working studios and digital media equipment. These aspiring film critics develop critical thinking skills while learning the art of writing and recording their film reviews. They also gain confidence while practicing on-camera interview skills. As part of the camp activities, the students meet with special guests from the entertainment industry including actors, film critics and producers.

Once the young participants complete the week-long camp, they have the opportunity to join the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics team. This group of national youth reporters attend press screenings, interview talent on the red carpet, and review new film releases rated up to PG-13. These young film critics— ages 9 to 15 years old— and their reviews are seen, read or listened to by more than 7 million people every month. “The summer is the time for kids to enjoy themselves, but they shouldn’t stop learning,” says Michael D. Nieves, President and CEO of HITN. “This program successfully accomplishes both by creating an environment where the kids can enjoy themselves by watching movies, while also learning how to combine the art of critical thinking and communicating through the use of technology. HITN is proud to offer this experience to these future film critics.”

KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Boot Camp

Is a project of the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media, a national, nonprofit (501-c-3) organization founded in 1991 whose mission is to teach children critical viewing skills and to increase the visibility and availability of quality children’s media. For more information, visit www.kidsfirst.org.