Kids in the Spotlight celebrated its 10th anniversary with its annual screening and awards
presentation on the historic Paramount Pictures Studios lot on Saturday. In a throwback to
Hollywood’s Golden Era, the KITS Awards treated the youngsters who completed the
organization’s filmmaking program to an elegant, Academy Award-esque affair complete
with interviews on the Blue carpet, celebrity presenters, and an exciting after party.
Each of the program participants were
professionally styled and received a full
glamour make-over, courtesy of in-kind
sponsors Kara Saun, LA Designers, and
Casa de Los Angeles: Glamour Gowns
and Suit Up, before being whisked away in
limo to the studio.
Sponsored in part by Music is Unity
Foundation, and held in the Paramount
Theater, a 518-seat, state-of-the-art venue,
the screening showcased 11 short films
written, cast, and starring youngsters ages
12-22 who either reside in foster care
group homes, were recently emancipated,
or attend an underserved school. The
films were directed and produced by
industry professionals who contributed their time and resources to the effort. Five awards
were given for Best Actor, Supporting Actor, Ensemble, Screenplay and Film.
The 2019 KITS Award Nominees, Winners and Directors
En Masse!
The evening also included two non-competitive awards–the Jordan Award–honoring author-activist Regina Louise
Kerr-Taylor for her contributions to raising
foster care awareness through the arts.
And in one of the most heartfelt and
humorous moments of the proceedings,
Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-California)
presented the inaugural Gary Burrell
Humanitarian Award to Modern Family star Ty Burrell–(But not before some spontaneous fun
sparked by a blank teleprompter screen.)
Named after his late father, a social
worker, the award honors one who
embodies the spirit of the organization
through advocacy and service. Burrell,
who was accompanied by his mother
Shirley, has served as host and
ambassador for five years.
Senator Holly Mitchell looks on as Ty Burrell receives the
inaugural Gary Burrell Humanitarian Award.
Longtime supporters received a delightful surprise when the first host of the event, actress comedienne Sherri Shepherd arrived to present the Jordan Award to honoree, Regina Louise Kerr-Taylor.
The star-studded event included
presentations by Keltie Colleen Knight ,
Tichina Arnold, Jen Lilley, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Ariel Winter, Molly C. Quinn, Andrew Tyree Clinkscale. Pre-show entertainment featured jazz phenom, Yuko Mabuchi. Rounding out the annual fundraiser was a delectable courtesy of Impeccable Taste
and music by DJ BOVA.
To learn more or make a tax-deductible contribution to Kids in the Spotlight visit: