Why I Work with Dads
- Allan Shedlin
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Allan Shedlin
Grampsy and Founder, Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F)
So many times during the last three decades, I have been asked why I work with fathers helping them to become the dads they want to be. During the holiday season, when my propensity to be contemplative goes into high gear, here's how I answer:
I do what I do because I spent much of my childhood yearning for my father to be my daddy – to really be there.
I do what I do because I have listened to so many children and youth whose hearts have holes in them the shape of their fathers.
I do what I do because I have seen the tears of men from around the world hurting by the absence of their fathers and their profound wish to be closer to their children.
And I do what I do because I know that sadness and that pain and that yearning is preventable. I know because I have felt and continue to feel the joy of exuberant daddying and granddaddying. It's a joy that comes when nurturing your children and grandchildren also nourishes you. And I want that joy to be felt by as many people as possible.
Giving Tuesday, a day of "radical generosity," is another opportunity for me to highlight the importance and impact of our now 5-year-old Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F). First and foremost, it's about children and families. And it's also about celebrating what it means to have or be an involved Dad or dad figure. Not so radical, really...
D3F's Mission
Shine a spotlight on the importance of Dads in their presence and their absence
Provide safe and unique opportunities for kids and fathers alike to reflect upon and express feelings about what daddying qualities are most important to them; what kind of Dad a father wants to be, and what kind of Dad a kid wants and needs
Provide opportunities for emotional authenticity, creativity, and originality
Portray a variety of family dynamics to explore and encourage constructive relationships
Demonstrate film- and/or video-making skills and production values.
D3F Achievements & Impacts
Since its inaugural year in 2022, D3F has received submissions from student, Dad/Dad figure, and indie filmmakers from 57 countries and counting!
Our virtual Festival has reached more than 1,300 viewers over the past two years alone!
In our first four Festival seasons, we have provided $11,500 in cash awards to student finalists (elementary school to undergrad college) to use towards activities with their Dads or support future creative projects. Since 2024, an additional $2,000 has gone to Dad and dad figure winners of D3F's sponsored Roy R. Neuberger Prize and Equimundo Men Caring Award, respectively
In addition to Equimundo, we have worked in collaboration with more than 50 unique parenting, youth, and arts organizations to further the festival's mission, share award-winning fatherhood stories, and conducting workshops promoting creative expression and fatherhood involvement. Some of our other featured partnerships include: Special Fathers Network, Fathers & Families Coalition of America, Men Care, ParentCamp, WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students), Youth Documentary Academy, National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement, ZERO TO THREE, Postpartum Support International, KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, All-American High School Film Fest, and the Art of Fatherhood podcast.
How Donations Support D3F's Global Mission
Provide and increase cash prizes to our Student Finalists & Student Award Winners. Currently, all student Finalists (up to 5 Finalists in 4 grade-level categories) earn $250, and Atticus Award Winners earn an additional $250.
Provide stipends to participating schools and arts departments with student Atticus Award Winners to improve student arts/film programs
Secure live Daddying Film Forum venues, and keeps event admission FREE for all attendees
Assist with travel arrangements for winning filmmakers and other guest speakers, presenters, and filmmakers to attend the live Forum and special screening events throughout the year
Expand our year-round national/international communications, promotions, and outreach efforts
Expand the number of Award categories with cash awards for future festivals
Create Atticus trophies for current and future award categories
Provide free food and beverage for Forum attendees
Cover printing & shipping and other costs, including event programs, promotional mailers, and shipping Awards to all Finalists and Atticus Award Winners worldwide
Cover year-round staffing, event support, tech support, and other program costs.
You can support D3F's global mission by clicking the button below to make a tax-deductible donation through the D3F donation portal managed by the nonprofit Greater Washington Community Foundation (GWCF). You may also dedicate your donation in honor of your Dad or someone else who has played a fatherly role in your life.
We know there are many organizations worthy of your charitable donation this holiday season. Thank you for considering a contribution of any amount to the Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F)...or any of our D3F Circle of Friends!
WE'RE GIVING AWAY GREAT BOOKS FROm
Daddying Film Festival & FORUM 2026
The 5th annual Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) welcomes film and video submissions, including TikToks and Instagram reels, from students (3rd-graders through undergrads), Dads/Granddads, dad figures, and indie filmmakers worldwide! Submit videos/films on D3F's FilmFreeway page through Monday, December 29. Send us your daddying films/videos and help us celebrate the importance of positively involved Dads/dad figures!
We're rolling out D3F 2026 Official Selection announcements – YOUR film/video could be next!
Allan Shedlin has devoted his life's work to improving the odds for children and families. He has three daughters, five grandchildren, and numerous "bonus" sons, daughters, and grandchildren. Trained as an educator, Allan has alternated between classroom service, school leadership, parenting coaching, policy development, and advising at the local, state, and national levels. After eight years as an elementary school principal, Allan founded and headed the National Elementary School Center. He has written about education and parenting for major news outlets and trade publications, as well as appearing on radio and TV. In 2008, he was the first male honored as a "Living Treasure" by Mothering Magazine and founded REEL Fathers. In 2010, he advised the Obama White House on Dad engagement and fatherhood policy. In 2017, he founded the DADvocacy Consulting Group. In 2018, he launched the DADDY Wishes Fund and Daddy Appleseed Fund. In 2019, he co-created and co-facilitated the Armor Down/Daddy Up! and Mommy Up! programs for veterans and their children. He has conducted daddying workshops with Native American pueblos, veterans’ groups, penitentiaries, Head Start centers, corporate boardrooms, and elementary schools. In 2022, Allan founded and directed the Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F). In 2024, he was named to Who’s Who. In 2025, Allan was honored with an "Official Citation" from the Maryland State General Assembly "In Recognition for All You Do for Dads, Granddads, and Kids of All Ages." He also was named 2025 “Father of the Year” by the Fathers & Families Coalition of America. Allan earned his elementary and high school diplomas from NYC’s Ethical Culture Schools, BA at Colgate University, MA at Columbia University’s Teachers College, and an ABD at Fordham University. He considers his D-A-D and GRAND D-A-D the most important “degrees” of all.
