Hi, my name is David, I'm a film critic, and every year I cut together my 25 favorite films of the past 12 months into a very long video countdown for some reason. You can watch them all on this website if you want. This year's video will be posted on Tuesday, January 20.

To help justify the embarrassingly absurd amount of time it takes me to make them, I've also used these videos as opportunities to fundraise for a series of invaluable non-profits. So far we have raised more than $180,000!

For each of the last few years, I've partnered with the director of a film on my list to decide where the funds should go:

For the 2020 video, "Time" director Garrett Bradley selected the Rich Family Ministries, and thanks to the generosity of people on the internet, we exceeded our $10,000 goal and raised $13,700.

For the 2021 video, THE POWER OF THE DOG director Jane Campion selected a trio of vital Texas abortion funds, and we ultimately raised $22,660 against our $20,000 goal.

For the 2022 video/2023 fundraiser, AFTERSUN director Charlotte Well selected a New York City non-profit called Food with Fam that provides meals to food-insecure families in Brooklyn, and we raised $25,945 against our $25,000 goal.

For the 2023 video, I made the unilateral decision to donate to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, a top-rated charity whose recent efforts have been dedicated towards providing urgent relief to displaced children and families in Gaza. We raised more than $57,000 against our $30,000 goal.

For the 2024 video, I supported the Palestine Red Crescent Society at the recommendation of NO OTHER LAND director Basel Adra, and we raised $61,620 against our $50,000 goal.

For the 2025 video, I would like to once again support the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, who continue to do the most regrettably urgent work in Gaza as the slaughter continues unabated despite promises of a ceasefire. All donated funds will go DIRECTLY to the PCRF, minus the small percentage that GoFundMe takes automatically.

I usually offer the pitiful incentive that I'll commit to making another one of these videos if I hit the goal. This year, I can't do that, as I'm writing a book and simply may not have time to make a 2026 video. However, if we hit the goal I will strongly consider making one for 2027 instead of walking away from the tradition altogether. That's the best I can offer at the moment!

These are hard times, and I understand that soliciting donations — even to the most valuable of causes — is a lot to ask. But this silly video is somehow the best leverage I have to help marshal urgently needed aid towards one of the worst humanitarian crises of my lifetime, so I sincerely hope those of you who can afford to give will join me in doing so. No amount is too small, and no amount is too big.

Actually, I'm sure some amount is too big for the GoFundMe platform to handle, but, uh, I'd be happy to find that out the hard way. Sorry I re-used so much of the copy from last year's fundraiser (again), I'm so tired you guys. But still a big "no thanks" to GoFundMe's offer to "enhance your story with AI."

THANK YOU!!