Social media has transformed the world. While parents, grandparents and teachers may sometimes bemoan the negative effects of social media on young people, there are many ways social media can be used to accomplish amazing things. This year we saw some of the Parkland survivors create a movement that impacted both the election and the support for gun control. That may be just the tip of the iceberg. Selfie filmmaker, author and Positive Psychologist Barbara Becker Holstein sees an opportunity to use selfies and social media as a therapeutic tool. For her, the future of young people shines bright, due partly to the positive effects of this new form of communication.
"I feel very good about the potential that 2019 holds for kids," Dr. Holstein stated. "Selfies, and the potential positive influence of the internet are entwined in 'The Selfie Project' in all of its aspects. These include podcasts, a pilot TV show in development, selfie films focusing on coming of age concepts, and books, such as 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween' and 'Secrets', both opening the door to great discussions and ideas about growing up.
"My Podcast show: 'Enchanted Self Presents' allows me to assist kids in a variety of ways: they can make selfies that deeply express what is on their minds; they can, on my show talk and share their ideas in the presence of teachers, parents, filmmakers, and other experts. Those kids that watch or listen to my Podcasts can join in by making a Selfie that touches what is important to them via a link can be shared on my site: SelfieFilmmakers.com.
"My two books, 'The Truth' and 'Secrets', are an entrance way to begin to process so many of the coming of age issues that girls, tweens and teens face. Self-esteem and self confidence are at the core of success and these two books really help kids develop some of the tools needed for more of both. Drama that is educational and psychologically based is a great way to help kids gain confidence. That is why I am making short films that are reaching kids, adults, teachers, guidance counselors across the country. This films dramatically tell coming of age stories while utilizing Selfie filming by the cast to further enhance the emotional aspects of the messages.
"Finding ways to use selfies and social media to teach, encourage, express our needs, thoughts and feelings, have fun, create film as an art from and as an educational tool, and to improve mental health, all of the above is what is on my mind as a psychologist/filmmaker. I invite everyone to join me on this creative, exciting adventure."
Dr. Holstein is currently developing "The Selfie Project" to help kids share their feelings and thoughts in a meaningful way via Selfies that can reach millions. "The Selfie Project" provides a way for young people to go public on a number of subjects. Bullying is real, school violence is real, drama because of social media is real for kids. 'The Selfie Project' is giving voice to those subjects. A pilot TV show is in the development phase. Teens will have a chance to discuss via their Selfies and in discussion with Dr. Holstein, various topics that affect their lives, from friend drama to fear of assault weapons. As of this moment, teens can share a link to their Selfies and Dr. Holstein will consider them for inclusion on her website, SelfieFilmmakers.com.
Holstein's short films have won numerous awards and accolades.
The Truth A Short Film:
Garden State Film Festival Premier - Best Pop Song 2016
Golden Door Int. Film Festival - Official Selection - September 2016
Grove Film Festival - Showing - May 2017
Female Filmmakers Film Festival - Official Selection - 12th of 92 films
Roselle Park Shorts Film Festival - Official Selection - September 2017
The Truth A Short Short Film:
FilmOneFest Premier - July 2016
Chain Film Festival - Official Selection - August 2016
Jersey City Int. Television and Film Festival - Official Selection - November 2016
Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival - Official Selection- May 2017
Secrets A Coming Of Age Selfie Film:
Alice Guy-Blache Women In Cinema Award - Nomination - October 2017, Golden Door International Film Festival
NewFilmmakers, Manhattan- Official Selection, January 24, 2018
Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest Film Series - Best Experimental Film nomination - March 2018
Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest Film Series - Best New Jersey Short nomination - March 2018
Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest Film Series - Best Concept nomination - March 2018
Hang on To Your Shorts, Official Selection - April 2018, Nominated for Best New Jersey Drama and Best Experimental Film
Awarded: Best Educational Film Award at the Jersey Shore Film Festival, August, 2018
Shown March 1 1018 as one of 6 outstanding women’s films at the Behane Center in Jersey City, for Women’s History Month by Golden Door International Film Festival.
Brightside Tavern Film Festival, Season 7 - Best Experimental Film - March 2018
Jersey Shore Film Festival - Best Educational Film - August 2018
Indie Awards - Award of Recognition in 3 categories: Women Filmmakers, Leading Actress and Educational / Instruction / Training
Falling In Love A Coming Of Age Selfie Film:
Brightside Tavern Film Festival-March 2017- Best Experimental Film Nomination, Second Place Award as Best New Jersey Film Short
Grove Film Festival, Official Selection-May 2017
Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival - Best Experimental Film nomination - May 2017
Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival - Best Concept Film nomination - May 2017
Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival - Megan Brown Rising Star Award - May 2017
Love Shorts Film Festival - Official Selection - February 2018
Conflict:
Official selection to premiere at the New Jersey International Film Festival at Rutgers University on June 9th, 2018
Semi-finalist in the JELLY Fest Film Festival, June, 2018
Official Selection Golden Door International Film Festival - September 2018
Angst:
Official Selection for the Brightside Tavern Film Festival in early August, 2018
Selfie:
Official selection at the One Minute Film Fest, Teaneck, New Jersey, September 8, 2018
'The Medium, A Coming of Age, Selfie Film'
Selected to be screened at the Young Filmmakers's Screenings in Manhattan in early March, 2019.
The Selfie Project Pilot
Independent Shorts Award - Certificate of Achievement Los Angeles, December 2018
Global Indian Film Festival - Selected for screening - Mumbai India
Best Shorts Competition - Awards of Recognition - The Selfie Project Educational/Instructional/Training
'Secrets' was selected for inclusion in "Passages: Women in Transition," Women In Media - Newark's 2018 Women's History Month film festival, held on March 27 – April 5, 2018 at Rutgers University Newark, New Jersey, and at various satellite venues in the area.
'Falling in Love, A Coming of Age, Selfie Film, is detailed in a new ebook: 'A Selfie Film - Falling In Love' by Dr. Holstein. This ebook presents issues and stories behind the creation of Dr. Holstein's "selfie films", which utilize cutting edge New Media technology. Topics and questions for discussion can be used by a parent and a child, or a group of hundreds as universal subjects of growing up and handling tough issues are presented.
Dr. Holstein makes a number of her books and films available to be used as fundraising tools. She requests that any verified charitable organization interested in raising funds contact her via email. She is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at barbara.holstein@gmail.com. More information is available at her website at http://www.SelfieFilmmakers.com.
Profile:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness and a pioneer in Selfies as Film. Dr. Holstein's Enchanted Self website was included as one of the best websites in positive psychology. She is in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.
Dr. Barbara can be found on the web, interviewed, writing articles and posting video 'TED' style talks on Happiness, Positive Psychology, Relationships and Parenting.
She has been a contributor to Your Tango, Heart and Soul, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, The Wall Street Journal, Time on line, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.
Contact:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
barbara.holstein@gmail.com
732-571-1200
http://www.thetruthforgirls.com
http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com
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