NEW YORK, Aug. 9, 2017
/PRNewswire/ -- GapKids is celebrating kids returning to the
classroom with the "Forward with" campaign and short film series by
highlighting the people who help shape kids' futures. In
partnership with global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A,
LGF.B), the final short in the series, 'Forward with Kindness,' is
inspired by the studio's eagerly anticipated feature
film Wonder, and features star Jacob
Tremblay and R.J. Palacio, author of the New York Times best seller from which the motion
picture was adapted.
The GapKids 'Forward with' campaign is a celebration
of progress. It's about extending the idea of "dressing" beyond
clothing to the traits and behaviors that will lead to kids'
success. It's about preparing kids to advance their passions by
giving them the confidence, encouragement, and support they need to
go forward, and it's about calling out some amazing parents,
teachers and mentors who take the time every day to dress kids with
courage, kindness and possibility.
"When you think about it, kids don't actually go back to school,
they go forward in their life," said Gap chief marketing
officer Craig Brommers. "The real-life stories that we are
sharing through the video series are emotional, they are
optimistic, and they are what Gap is all about."
The campaign consists of four short films, each highlighting
people who are helping advance children through positive
reinforcements outside the traditional educational
curriculum.
- 'Forward with Confidence' features third grade teacher
Jasmyn Wright who believes her
students can be anything that they put their minds to and uses
mantras to help build their confidence and equip them with the
skills to approach any challenge with a positive mindset.
- 'Forward with Focus' highlights meditation mentor
Andres Gonzalez who has been
breathing love and self-awareness into underserved communities as
co-founder of the Holistic Life Foundation, a Baltimore based nonprofit organization
committed to nurturing the wellness of children through yoga,
mindfulness and self-care.
- 'Forward with Creativity' puts the spotlight on art
instructor Sasha Sicurella who
encourages self-expression through art as the founding director of
the I AM: International Foundation, a nonprofit organization that
works globally to provide opportunities for children to explore
their identity through art and self portrait photography.
- 'Forward with Kindness' stars actor Jacob Tremblay, who plays Auggie Pullman in
Lionsgate's Wonder, and New York
Times bestselling author R.J.
Palacio. Wonder tells the heartwarming
story of Auggie Pullman, a boy born
with facial differences who can't blend in because he was born to
stand out, and teaches a classroom and community to move forward
with kindness. The film opens in theaters on November 17 and features Academy Award® winner
Julia Roberts and Oscar® nominee
Owen Wilson. The short film
draws upon the themes of acceptance, empathy and kindness in the
classroom from Auggie's inspiring story.
In addition to the short film series, GapKids is taking part in
Lionsgate's #ChooseKind movement leading up to
the Wonder release in November.
Lionsgate, co-producer Walden Media, Random House Children's
Books, and GapKids are bringing the #ChooseKind movement to
classrooms through the "Wonder Certified Kind
Classroom" initiative, an educational program that focuses on
teaching acts of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to third
through sixth grade students.
Part of this initiative includes the GapKids #ChooseKind T-Shirt
Design Contest, where students will be challenged to create a
visualization of what kindness and inclusion mean to them as a
design activity. Eight winning designs will be produced and sold in
select U.S. GapKids stores and Gap.com starting on November 13, World Kindness Day. All profits will
benefit myFace and Children's Craniofacial Association, two
non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting children with
craniofacial differences.
Lastly, 400 participating classrooms will be eligible for
GapKids-sponsored private Wonder screenings
featuring a Facebook Q&A with select cast from the film.
The 'Forward with' campaign and short film series will be
released throughout the month of August on Gap.com, the GapKids
social channels and YouTube.com/Gap. The
"Wonder Certified Kind Classroom" program will run from
August 2017 through April 2018, and teachers can register to
participate by visiting www.wonderkindclassroom.com.
About Gap
Gap is one of the world's most iconic apparel and accessories
brands and the authority on American casual style. Founded
in San Francisco in 1969, Gap's collections are designed
to build the foundation of modern wardrobes – all things denim,
classic white shirts, khakis and must-have trends. Beginning
with the first international store in London in 1987, Gap
continues to connect with customers online and across the brand's
about 1,700 company-operated and franchise retail locations around
the world. Gap includes Women's and Men's apparel and accessories,
GapKids, babyGap, GapMaternity, GapBody and GapFit
collections. The brand also serves value-conscious customers
with exclusively-designed collections for Gap Outlet and Gap
Factory Stores. Gap is the namesake brand for leading global
specialty retailer, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) which includes Gap,
Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, Intermix and Weddington
Way. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
About Lionsgate
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global
content platform whose films, television series, digital products
and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation
audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed
entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing
presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming,
virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies.
Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a 16,000-title film
and television library and delivered through a global licensing
infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with
original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special
emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the
Company's worldwide consumer base.
For more information, please contact:
Mackenzie Dougherty
Gap
Mackenzie_dougherty@gap.com
212.886.7323
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SOURCE Gap