How 'Sesame Street' Changed the World

Deborah Netburn in the Los Angeles Times:

Linda Goldstein Knowlton and Linda Hawkins Costigan are co-producers and co-filmmakers of "The World According to Sesame Street," a documentary about "Sesame Street" productions around the world. The film played at Sundance earlier this year and will air on PBS later this month.

"Sesame Street" has been on the air since 1969 is currently available in 120 countries. Goldstein Knowlton and Hawkins Costigan were drawn to the idea of a "Sesame Street" documentary after hearing that a female Muppet on the Egyptian version of "Sesame Street" was successfully promoting women's literacy in the country. Interested in what other topics "Sesame Street" productions around the world were grappling with, the women spent three days researching and fund-raising before jumping on a plane to go and see for themselves.

Three years later, they put together this film that focuses on "Sesame Street" productions in Kosovo, South Africa and Bangladesh.

More here.