Our vision of presenting inspirational documentaries about people who achieve success against the odds launched last night with the very successful release of Kids with Cameras. It was a night of education and inspiration. Really, the atmosphere was so uplifting nobody wanted to leave.

The screening was held in the Chaplain Building Screening Rooms at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, California. We had appetizers and drinks before the screening, and had the chance to mingle and catch up with friends.

I was honored to host the event and we had some stellar guests: The amazing Brad Koepenick, the award-winning educator whose film camp was the subject of the movie, Greg Strom, whose efforts were key in making Kids with Cameras happen, and Lori Miller, the co-producer.

Unfortunately, Alex Rotaru, the film’s director, is working overseas and was unable to attend.

Members of the Polaris’ Executive Marketing Council – Arni and Michael Berry, Karla and Don Silver, Melissa and Kevin Knecht, and Lisa and Bob Molina – joined in the fun as did many Polaris distributors and several individuals from the film industry.

In case you don’t already know about the film, it is an incredible story that chronicles the challenges faced by a group of kids with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome when they attend Brad’s film camp called “The Celluloid Heroes Movie Camp.”

The creativity and insight demonstrated by these kids is nothing short of remarkable, as was watching them interact with each other and with Brad, and seeing what being given the opportunity to show their creative talents does for them.

Monique and Dominique Beltran, two of the kids featured in the film, came with their very proud mother and filled us in on what they’ve been doing since the film. They were definitely a hit – everyone wanted to talk to them after seeing the film.

The response to the film was incredible. Watching these kids achieve success will change many people’s lives. A very big thank you to everyone involved, and special thanks to the kids for letting us into their lives.