You sit in a dark movie theater. You sit with others, watching a movie. Something that has the potential to change your life, change the way you think and feel. You catch a moment where you're convinced the story on screen is actually yours, no matter where the story takes place, what language it may be in, or what it might be about. Film has the power to cross divides, bring humanity together and in its purest way simply give us hope. Hope... a currency so precious and a concept that absolutely needs to be given to the younger minds of this world. NYICFF has done this every year for the past quarter century. It is a vessel of magic and wonder that brings an art form to children across the globe, connecting them through a common voice... humanity. I know from being an actor and having a child of my own what movies can do. The potential they hold to take us all to new heights and realize that there is so much more to live for... so much hope to be had. Please think of giving this year to our annual benefit... a ticket, a donation, whatever you can. All will be so appreciated by me and the festival. So, to film and every child sitting in a theater having that feeling that hope is alive and well... thank you!! xox