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Press Release
Lighthouse International Film Festival Partners with KIDS FIRST!
Long Beach Island's first film festival will feature films and activities exclusively for kids
Long Beach Island, NJ
May 14, 2009
The Lighthouse International Film Festival is excited to announce its partnership with KIDST FIRST!, an organization that teaches children critical viewing skills and increases the visibility and availability of quality children's media. Through the partnership, the Festival will include special programming geared just towards kids, along with a special workshop on how to become a Junior Film Critic.
"As a school librarian and information specialist, I know how vital media literacy is for kids to succeed in today's image-driven world," said Michelle Simmoneau, Librarian at Valley Forge Middle School and Co-Chair of Student Outreach for the Lighthouse Film Festival. "I'm extremely proud that this festival will include a portion for kids, who may possibly be the biggest beneficiaries of the magic and education that can be found in the world of film."
In addition to a line-up of four incredible films geared exclusively towards kids and approved by KIDS FIRST!, the festival will also include a Junior Film Critics Training Program. The program will teach children how to view film critically, evaluate film using specific criteria, and how to write reviews, among other points related to film study and criticism.
"For me, this is truly the most exciting part about the festival," said Katie Prince, Co-Chair of Student Outreach for the festival and also a special education pre-school teacher. "The island is the perfect backdrop for kids to enjoy their summer vacation, and also get exposure to the world of film. We even have programming for 3 year-olds! It's great to see an event on the island where parents don't have to leave the kids at home."
For more information the festival's kids films or KIDS FIRST!, please contact Michele Simmoneau at simmoneaum@tesd.net or Ann Church, SVP Marketing at KIDS FIRST!, at ann@kidsfirst.org
About KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST! is a program of the 17-year-old, national, nonprofit organization, Coalition for Quality Children's Media whose mission is to teach children critical viewing skills and to increase the visibility and availability of quality children's media. The Coalition is a voluntary collaboration comprising more than 10,000 media professionals, lobbyists, policymakers, child advocates, educators, parents and families nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.kidsfirst.org.
About the Lighthouse International Film Festival
The Lighthouse International Film Festival was founded by a collection of filmmakers, film critics and film industry professionals who share a passion for film and wanted to create an event aimed first and foremost at film enthusiasts. The 2009 festival will present feature films, 20 shorts, documentaries and family films, as well as panel discussions with leading film industry professionals. Taking place on Long Beach Island, NJ -- one of the East coast's most popular surfing destinations -- the festival celebrates four days of new, exciting and challenging films in honor of Long Beach Island's historic Barnegat Lighthouse.
Follow the Festival on Twitter and Facebook. For more information, please visit http://lighthousefilmfestival.org or contact information@lighthousefilmfestival.org.
Please direct all press inquiries to Farrah Hamid.
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