top of page
Award Winner

Festival Season:

August 2025

SMALL KINDNESS

SMALL KINDNESS

Directors:

Writers:

Matthew Palmer
Matthew Palmer

Producers:

Run Time:

0:13:01

Awarded for the following Category(s):

Awarded Category(s)

In a small-town Pennsylvania barbershop, a unique incentive - $3 for kids who read while getting their haircut - sparks a wave of literacy and change that ripples through the lives of the community’s youth.


Submitter Statement

In this short documentary, I explore how small gestures of kindness, often overlooked in the hustle of everyday life, can have profound and lasting effects on the lives of others. At the heart of this story is a barbershop in a small town in Pennsylvania, where a simple incentive - $3 for kids who read while getting their haircut -sparks something much greater than just improved literacy. It ignites a sense of pride, empowerment, and possibility in the young people who visit.


Through the lens of this barbershop, I wanted to highlight the idea that change doesn’t always require grand gestures or sweeping reforms. Sometimes, it’s the everyday acts of generosity that can transform lives. This film is a testament to the power of community, the importance of nurturing young minds, and the belief that every small act can contribute to a much larger shift.


By documenting this unique practice, I hope to inspire viewers to reflect on the quiet but meaningful ways we can all contribute to the betterment of the world around us.


Thank you,


Matthew Palmer

Key Cast

Other Credits

bottom of page