The Global Search for Education: Ana Maria Medici Talks about Dear Mrs. President

This month audiences can screen Dear Mrs. President on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated for Planet Classroom by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.

Dear Mrs. President is a short film by Ana Maria Medici about a young girl writing a letter to her hero, the first female president of the United States. The film serves as an example of how positive representation can impact and inspire people, especially children. The film praises women leaders for persevering and achieving their goals, encouraging young girls to do the same and aim as high as they please. Dear Mrs. President is based on a book of the same name, also by Ana Maria Medici.

The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Ana Maria Medici.

Ana, welcome. Why did you decide to adapt this book into an animated short?

I'm deeply passionate about this story and about creating characters that portray women as they truly are – intelligent, capable and powerful. An animated short was another medium to get this in front of young girls and boys everywhere.

Is there a Mrs. President in your life that inspired you to create this book and short film? If so, who and why?

I find myself inspired by remarkable women every day. Women like Sara Blakely, Reese Witherspoon, and Ava DuVernay. The list goes on and on. I'm a huge fan of Shonda Rhimes and Viola Davis. Not only for their undeniable talent, but for their bold leadership in Hollywood. I paid tribute to Rhimes and Davis by including their last names as two characters, which can be seen in the newspaper clip shot.

How would you describe the main differences between telling your story for the medium of a short film versus a book?

In the book, I intentionally blocked the face of the President, as I wanted children to be able to see themselves in her, whatever they may look like. For the film, we decided to show her face, and use it as an opportunity for representation.

What are you hoping your audience will take away from this short?

I hope the audience gains joy by seeing how one extraordinary woman can uplift a young girl across the country, and the ripple effect of inspiration it can have on so many others.

This story is my letter to all the women who continually inspire me, and the profound sense of gratitude I have because of it.

Thank you Ana!

Don't miss Dear Mrs. President, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated for Planet Classroom by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.