movie poster

The Sweetest Gift

Screenplay by Rosa Jordan


1998 Parents’ Choice Award

Namic Vision Award Nomination
for Best Children’s Program

Directors Guild of America
Award Nomination for Outstanding
Direcorial Achievement in 1998
(Stuart Margolin)

Daytime Emmy Nominations:

Outstanding Children’s Special
Julian Fowles, Executive Producer
Patrick Whitley, Producer

Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Special
Diahann Carroll

Outstanding Directing in a Children’s Special
Stuart Margolin


Young Artists Awards to:

Brent Meyer, Marc Donato, Dylan Provencher, and Kristin Fairlie.


Film Festivals

1999 Cape Town Children’s Film Festival

1998 Chicago International Children’s Film Festival

1999 Berlin International Kinderfilmfest

Review from the Hollywood Reporter, February 1998

Although initially this “Showtime Original Pictures for Kids” movie about families and racial attitudes looks like it’s going to be just another sappy morality tale, it delivers a tremendous emotional punch while making some very important ethical and social points along the way.

Working from Rosa Jordan’s eloquent, restrained script and benefitting from Stuart Margolin’s patient and caring direction, a superb cast is led by Helen Shaver in a moving performance. She is a single mom bringing up three kids in rural Florida. Her portrayal and the story illuminate the values that mainstream America cherishes most.

Airing as part of Showtime’s Black History Month Celebration, The Sweetest Gift features outstanding performances by Diahann Carroll and Tish Campbell as neighbors and Dylan Provencher, Kristin Fairlie, and Marc Donato as the children. It is indeed a gift.

-Lawrence Vittes-

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