GapKids Celebrates the Back to School Season with the Launch of the 'Forward with' Campaign and Partnership with Lionsgate for the Upcoming Feature Film 'Wonder'

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
[email protected]
212.886.7323

SOURCE Gap

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