When Kids are Behind the Camera Lens: My Conversation with Holly Carter

Without a doubt, we are the *most* media saturated humans in the history of the world. But what happens to media coverage and storytelling when kids are behind the camera lens? Storytelling with a depth and honesty you won’t see anywhere else.

My guest today is the incomparable Holly Carter, founder of the Executive Director of BYkids and BYkids pairs talented young storytellers with seasoned filmmakers to create powerful documentaries about their lives. BYkids kicks off its fourth season on PBS on November 11, and will be narrated by Ashley Judd.

Holly began her career as a writer and editor at The New York Times, and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Since then, she’s lived in Korea as a Henry Luce scholar and print and television journalist, produced the award-winning documentary, Margaret Sanger, co-founded North Carolina's full frame festival, served as a consultant for the After-School Corporation, produced the PBS series Media Matters, and most recently was the executive director of The Film Initiative. 

Holly and I talk about what it means to let young people tell their own stories, whether it’s a teen refugee from Ukraine, a climate activist, or a 14 year old journalist covering organic farming practices in her community in India.

This conversation gave me so much hope, so much joy. The kids are more than alright. They’re dazzling.

Check out the trailer for BYkids Season Four here.