Emagine Entertainment and Folktellers Studios Invite Young Readers to Bring Stories to Life on the Big Screen

Photo courtesy of Emagine Entertainment

(Troy, Michigan – October 2025) This fall, Emagine Entertainment and Folktellers Studios are rolling out the red carpet for a brand-new storytelling and literacy initiative that turns young readers into filmmakers. In partnership with regional literacy programs, the project blends reading, imagination, and movie magic, inspiring kids to see their stories come alive on the big screen.

The program invites students to dive into Josef Bastian’s award-winning seven-book series,

 Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook, a universe filled with adventure, mystery, and the limitless power of storytelling. After reading the books, participants will create their own three-minute movie trailers inspired by the series’ characters, worlds, and themes. Emagine Entertainment, a recognized leader in providing innovative and luxury movie going experiences has partnered with this program to cultivate in a grand finale opportunity to showcase these stories in a true state-of-the-art cinematic presentation.

Working with regional literacy programs, Folktellers Studios and Emagine will distribute program kits and connect with classrooms and community groups across the region to make the program accessible to as many young storytellers as possible. This program is open to elementary and middle school aged students and to educators, schools, and community organizations in Michigan.

The all-inclusive Folktellers for Literacy Program Kit,

integrates seamlessly into school enrichment programs or community-based learning initiatives. Through a collaborative, team-oriented approach, participants don’t just develop creative and technical skills, they also form meaningful bonds and learning to support one another through shared creative expression. By creating and sharing their stories, students learn empathy, teamwork, and emotional resilience that are essential skills for thriving in today’s digital world.  Each program kit has quantities for 30 students to participate together and includes everything needed to bring this transformative experience to life.

The excitement culminates with a film contest, where participants will post their short films on the Folktellers for Literacy website, where celebrity judges and the community at large can vote for their favorite film. Selected finalists will attend an exclusive red-carpet premiere event at Emagine Theatres. There, their short films will be showcased on the big screen, giving kids, families, teachers, and the community a chance to celebrate storytelling in true Hollywood style.

Paul Glantz, Chairman and CEO of Emagine Entertainment, shared,

“At Emagine, we believe that learning and entertainment go hand in hand, both have the power to inspire, educate, and unite communities. This program embodies our commitment to community stewardship by giving young people a creative platform to learn, dream, and share their voices through the magic of cinema. We’re proud to help nurture the next generation of readers and storytellers.”

Author Josef Bastian notes, “We are so excited to launch this program with Emagine, as it represents the storytelling bridge between reading, literacy, and entertainment. This will be an experience that brings the entire community together to celebrate the joy of reading and making movies.”

Executive Producer Stephen Sadler points out that, “Stories have the power to heal and connect us. When kids read and create, they discover their voice and build confidence, and that’s where literacy and mental well-being truly come together. Every story they tell helps them grow, imagine, and feel seen.”

This is about more than reading a book, it’s about inspiring creativity, collaboration, and confidence, and proving that great stories can come from anyone, anywhere.

Program registration will open November 3, 2025, on the Folktellers for Literacy.

Educators and organizations interested in participating can enroll and order their kits online at www.FolkTellersForLiteracy.com. Kits will arrive in early February, allowing them to run the program through April, when celebrity judging will begin, culminating in the red-carpet event in June 2026 at an Emagine Theatre in Michigan.  Each kit, with quantities for 30 participates, costs $500.  For educator and organization programs interested in participating, but may require financial assistance, there will be scholarships kits available.  Folktellers for Literacy Programs Kits are available starting on November 3^rd, while supplies last.

For more information about the Folktellers for Literacy Program, visit www.folktellersforliteracy.com

About Emagine Entertainment:

Emagine Entertainment is a recognized leader and innovator in luxury cinema, operating 27 theaters with 330 screens and across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Emagine was the world’s first theater chain to fully convert to digital projection and continues to set the standard in the industry providing advanced technologies including 4K projection, Dolby Atmos� sound, and Super EMX� auditoriums (located in Novi, Michigan, Canton, Michigan, Rogers, Minnesota and Batavia, Illinois) which feature some of the largest screens in the country.

Emagine offers more than just movies � delivering a full spectrum of entertainment experiences with features such as bowling, duckpin bowling, Krazy Darts, MX Axe experience and specialized spaces like the podcast studio at Emagine Palladium in Birmingham, MI, and the Caesars Sportsbook Lounge at Emagine Royal Oak, in Michigan, where sports fans can watch and bet on some of the most sought-after sporting events.

Emagine sets itself apart by pairing state-of-the-art cinematic presentation with upscale amenities, combining heated recliners, gourmet concessions, craft cocktails, and local brews like the signature Emagine Ale by Leinenkugel, to offer a premium moviegoing experience at an exceptional value.

Beyond Hollywood blockbusters, Emagine also offers a wide array of alternative content, including live concerts, sporting events, classic films, and private screenings. Through its Emagine for Everyone initiative, Emagine is committed to inclusivity, offering a program that ensures everyone, including families, individuals with sensory sensitivities, new parents, those who require on-screen captions, and individuals living with dementia, can enjoy the big screen experience together.

With a growing footprint and a dedication to community, comfort, and cutting-edge innovation, Emagine Entertainment continues to redefine the movie theatre experience. For more information, visit www.emagine-entertainment.com.

About Folktellers Studios:

Twenty years ago, Josef Bastian, a writer and instructional system designer, had a vision � to create a world of storytelling based on myth and legend. His concept was ambitious, and he had written over 20 novels, but something was still missing. In 2017, he was introduced to Stephen Sadler, also a writer, engineer, and tech innovator with success selling his technology to Walt Disney Studios, as well as other majors in Los Angeles. With the perfect complement of skills and talent, Josef and Stephen set off to build their collective dream – a world that combined technology and mythology. The goal was to create an interactive, immersive experience and forge a totally new storytelling platform. They knew it wouldn’t be easy, but they were determined to take this new idea as far as it could go. And that’s exactly what they did�

Made up of experts and artisans from film, music, television, gaming, literature, and digital media, our team crafts immersive tales of magic and wonder, encouraging audiences to engage with us on a deeper, more experiential level.

Being from Detroit, we�re used to creating physical, tangible things like V8 engines, carburetors and two-ton vehicles. Everyone knows what a car or a truck looks like, so we don�t have to help them visualize what we�re talking about. But in the entertainment industry and the world of storytelling, things are VERY different. This is an environment where creators must build castles in the clouds, in the hopes that someone will support and back them, helping the clouds thicken, so the castle can rise higher and higher until it can be seen from anywhere. At Folktellers Studios, we believe that a story, well told, can change