Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein's Selfie Films To Build Positive Self Esteem Receive New Short Film Awards, Chosen For Upcoming Film Festivals

    WILMINGTON, NC, March 23, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Positive Psychologist and filmmaker Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein has announced that 'Falling in Love, A Selfie Film' won the Runner Up Award for Best New Jersey Short at the Brightside Tavern Fest.

"Sitting in the audience, watching the audience laugh and chuckle as they watched 'Falling in Love, A Seflie Film' at the Brightside Tavern Shorts Film Fest in Jersey City, March 4, 2017 was amazing," Dr. Holstein stated. "I was stunned by the enthusiasm of the crowd. The film seemed to totally uplift the audience. There was an abundant amount of chuckling and laughter and then amazing clapping with cheers at the end. My husband, Dr. Russell Holstein, asked me if I had meant the film to be comedic. He enjoyed it tremendously and the audience were obviously into it.

"I believe as a psychologist and a filmmaker that the audience was relating to several factors as they chuckled: The girl, Megan Brown, was so real and intimate as she talked into her cell phone. She achieved an immediacy that is not possible when a full camera team hover around a young star. This led to the audience relating immediately in their own heads to their own past feelings and memories about growing up. Most can find some recognition of themselves in that girl. The story of a first crush or love is so universal.

"We stumble and struggle through the emotions and situations we get ourselves as we experience the feelings of a first crush. Seen in another it is easy to laugh and relieve tensions. Seen in ourselves it can be painful and shameful.

"I think combining the Selfie filming techniques with a story we can identify with is what made the film so enjoyable. Many people at the Fest told me the Selfie approach was brilliant and keep at it. Certainly Megan was not being comedic. But I think any performance that truly captures the things we go through and has an arch that is hopeful and fulfilling will bring laughter and visceral reactions by the audience.

In addition, 'The Truth, A Short, Short Film' and 'Falling in Love: A Selfie Film' have been selected for the #Hangontoyourshortsfilmfestival. Both films are up for awards. Both are up for Best Experimental Film. 'Falling in Love' is up for Best Concept Film. This Festival will take place May 20-21, 2017 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

"I am very touched, as my work as a psychologist turned filmmaker is all about utilizing new forms of sharing wisdom, humor, etc. and creating new forms of art," Dr. Holstein concluded. "I believe that the Selfie can be used to make quality films that touch our emotions and our lives. My films utilize the cell phone for filming and I believe that my films demonstrate how the Selfie can begin to emerge as a new concept in filmmaking.

"I will be sharing excerpts of my Selfie Films, along with my two books that are the basis of the films, 'The Truth' and 'Secrets', with the students of Ocean Township when I once again spend Author's Day with many of them at the Intermediate School in Ocean Township.

Dr. Holstein will also be partnering with charitable organizations who focus on helping young girls overcome challenges. She will allow two of her most successful creations to be used as fundraising tools - the new short film 'The Truth, A Coming of Age Selfie Film' and an ebook based on her other film entitled 'A Selfie Film, Falling In Love'.

Charities can use 'The Truth, A Coming of Age Selfie Film' as a fundraising tool. The film centers around falling in love, along with a host of other emotionally difficult issues that the girls face. The film is based on her successful book for teens and tweens, 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween'. In that falling in love is undoubtedly one of the most important events in a teen's life, she addresses that issue squarely. However, beyond the first crush, the real essence of growing up is finding a way to hold on to the best of oneself and gather courage from one's own stamina, strengths and talents. The 'girl' in the film comes of age as a young teen in a creative, uplifting way.

Holstein's short films have won numerous awards and accolades. 'The Truth - A Short Film' premiered at the Garden State Film Festival and its song, 'On The Edge of Something New' won the award as the best pop song of 2016. The short two minute film by Dr. Holstein, 'The Truth, A Short Short Film', premiered at FilmOneFest in July. The film was chosen as an Official Selection in the Chain Film Festival held in Manhattan on August 13, 2016. The film was also selected by the Jersey City International Television and Film Festival (JCITFF), and was shown on Saturday, November 5 2016 at the Jersey City International Television and Film Festival. 'The Truth - A Short Film' was officially selected for the Golden Door International Film Festival held in September 2016.

The second fundraising offering, 'A Selfie Film - Falling In Love' is an ebook that details many of the issues and stories behind the creation of Dr. Holstein's "selfie films", which utilize cutting edge New Media technology. These films are Selfie Films assisted by a professional camera crew. The topics and questions for discussion in the book can be used by a group of two, a parent and a child, or a group of hundreds as the universal subjects of growing up and handling tough issues are discussed.

Dr. Holstein 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 [email protected]. Both the film and the ebook are available at Payhip. All of her books are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all other online retailers. More information is available at her website at http://www.NewShortFilmTheTruth.com.

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self , a positive psychology method for happiness. Dr. Holstein's Enchanted Self website, www.enchantedself.com, was just 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 Heart and Soul, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, The Wall Street Journal, Time on line, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.

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