The Power of Film

MISSION

BYkids seeks to change the way Americans see the world — and the way the world sees us — by using the power of film as a tool for global understanding and a catalyst for change. BYkids is a non-profit organization pairing master American filmmakers with youth (ages 8-21) from around the world to mentor them in creating short documentary films about globally relevant issues in their lives.

BYkids documentaries carry the universal values of courage, perseverance and dignity to illuminate critical global issues from a perspective rarely told in mainstream media. BYkids ensures its films are available to a broad audience through international distribution including, film festivals, television broadcast, home video, school programs and the internet. www.BYkids.org.

MOZAMBIQUE FILM

Home Is Where You Find It

Best Documentary at Manhattan Short Film Festival and DocuWest

First Place Directorial Discovery Award at Rhode Island Film Festival

Official selection at Human Rights Watch Film Fest, SilverDocs, New Orleans Film Festival and Globians Berlin

Neal Baer (Executive Producer of Law & Order: SVU) and Chris Zalla (2007 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner) found teenager, Alcides Soares, in Maputo, Mozambique – one of the 500,000 Mozambican kids who lost both parents to AIDS. They taught him to use the Canon XHA1, sound equipment, computers and Final Cut Pro. The result is the intimate and inspiring story of a boy who attempts to redefine “family.”

“Storytelling is our basic way of communicating our dreams, hopes and fears. Yet many stories go unheard that could move us, and motivate us to take action, because the poor and disenfranchised too often do not have the technology to tell their personal tales. BYkids gives youth a voice by giving them a camera and a mentor. Through BYkids, the world will see and hear their moving stories,” says Dr. Baer.

“By giving kids from diverse backgrounds around the world tools, skills, and guidance to make documentary films, this great organization provides an outlet for sharing personal stories, which in turn brings us closer together as an international community rooted in compassion and understanding.” says NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.