Limos pull in front of the Writer’s Guild Theatre as throngs of people are milling about in the sidewalk. There are the flashing of cameras, entertainment news media, and known celebrities taking pictures with fans. Is it the Emmys? No, but the 5th annual Movies By Kids, For Kids Film Festival And Awards Show on November 1 in conjunction with Kids In The Spotlight and hosted by Ty Burrell, is perhaps one of the most memorable awards shows you’ll attend. The movies were created, written, and cast by foster care and underserved youth.
Kids in the Spotlight, Inc. (KITS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in May 2009 whose mission is to train youth ages 11-17 in the foster care system, and other underserved youth, to create, write, cast and star in their own 10-minute short films, culminating in an annual film festival competition. For children and teens with no support system, this leads to low self esteem, reckless behavior, and bad choices. With Los Angeles being the epicenter of entertainment, what better way to boost confidence and provide a support system than through the art of filmmaking? Through a chance audition which culminated in me being cast in one of their films, it lead me down a journey of filmmaking through a kid’s eye and meeting some of the most inspirational people in Los Angeles.
Tige Charity
Five years ago one evening, executive director/founder Tige Charity had a sudden vision of a way to help underserved youth. She talked with her husband and made calls to friends that night, including Kids In The Spotlight board member Jan Coleman. As Jan notes, “In the foster care system, these kids can feel forgotten… We want to make sure these kids feel like they matter to the world.” On May 2009, Kids In the Spotlight was born.
Sherri Shepherd (“The View”) hosted the first Kids In The Spotlight movie festival and awards ceremony in Raleigh Studios in Hollywood. Fast forward to November 1, 2014. Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”, “Mr. Peabody And Sherman”) is host for the night. Numerous celebrity presenters included Rico Rodriguez (“Modern Family”), Curtis Harris (“Haunted Hathaways”), Mo McRae (“The Butler”, “Sons Of Anarchy”), Raini Rodriguez (“The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody”), Kevin Ross (“America’s Court with Judge Ross”), Troy Byer (“John Q”), Andrea Navedo (“Jane The Virgin”), Tanika Ray (“For The Love Of Ray J”), Greer Grammer (“Awkward”), Miles Brown (“America’s Got Talent”), Nadine Ellis (“Let’s Stay Together”) and Corey Reynold (“Straight Outta Compton”). But let’s not forget the kids behind the movies. Dressed in their finery, the youth who created the films along with their actors walked the red carpet.
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- Host Ty Burrell
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- DJ MaL-SKI & Ty Burrell
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- Award for film where kids do it all – write, direct, and direct
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- Winners of “The Jordan Award”
3:00pm marked the start of the ceremony. Host Ty Burrell opened the festival talking about Kids In The Spotlight and how it makes a difference in these youth. After all, the crowd today is the future Hollywood. One by one, seven films created by these talented kids were screened. One of the films, “The Bully” was not only written and acted by foster children, but it was also directed by a foster child. After watching these amazing films, The Jordan Awards were presented to best supporting actor, best ensemble cast, best screenplay, best actor, and best film. Cheers were heard as each winner(s) went up to the stage to receive their award. It was also announced that all the screenplays were officially registered with the Writer’s Guild of America. As the awards ceremony came to a close, spirits were high, congratulations were swapped, and everyone left with a happy heart.
“Envy leads two young girls to become best friends and to appreciate their own lives.” DIRECTOR: Beverly D. Hunter. WRITERS: Andrea Jimenez, Destinee Phillips
“Jasper’s mom finds a summer camp online and sends Jasper, sight-unseen into a camp for monsters and vampires.” DIRECTOR: Nick Wong. WRITERS: Thais Gonzalez, Antonia Spikes, Samone McGee
“Do you believe you’re good enough? Never risk someone’s life in a bet.” DIRECTOR: Ed Broaddus. WRITERS: Crystal Garetto-Barnett, Lawrence Johnson, Frankie Rogers, Sophia Moreno-Owens
“Two troubled teenagers search for a life opposite of violence, abuse, and drugs.” DIRECTOR: Ed Broaddus. WRITERS: Ashley A. Gomez-Lopez, Kristine Janine Torres
“Even bullies have a heart. Or do they?” DIRECTOR: Reggie Gaskins. WRITERS: George Garetto-Barnet, Chris Jordan, Daniel Andrade, Natasha Oman
“A girl’s dream of graduating from high school turns into her worst nightmare.” DIRECTOR: Erin Brown. WRITERS: Kimberly Cook, Nahid Akhoon, Michael Anderson, Danniel Rodarte, Billy Jones
“A young girl searches for answers to her father’s identity and the reason she was sent to foster care.” DIRECTOR: Mo McRae. WRITERS: Carissa Johnson, Kera Drewry
I have attended awards shows, but this one was unique. As I scanned the audience behind me, I saw more than another industry crowd celebrating their accomplishments. I saw a group of children and teens whose lives had been transformed by this experience. Hollywood is often touted as being plastic. There was no plasticity here. Just a group of people showing that when people come together for a good cause, anything is possible.
Jan states, “Seeing the kids at the award ceremony and seeing them get an award for their film… To see them in the first week and the end of the year, they are totally different kids. You see it in their face.” From Tige Charity’s vision to help foster children and underserved youth to a grand night of movies and celebration one November afternoon, Kids In The Spotlight proves that dreams do come true when you truly believe in them.
Official web site: http://kidsinthespotlight.org/
Twitter: @kidsinthespotlight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsinthespotlight
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Courtesy of Kids In The Spotlight