Selfie Film By Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein Nominated For Alice Guy-Blache Women in Cinema Award At The Golden Door International Film Festival

    WILMINGTON, NC, October 19, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- 'Secrets, A Coming of Age, Selfie Film' by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, recently premiered and was nominated for the Alice Guy-Blache Women in Cinema Award at the Golden Door International Film Festival in Jersey City. Nominees were announced at the Awards Night, October 8, 2017 at The Lankmark Loew's Jersey Theatre . Dr. Holstein is the creator of the concept of The Enchanted Self and has recently taken her place as an innovator in a new film concept - the Selfie film.

"What is The Enchanted Self? It's that gut feeling that I teach people to recognize, when people begin to understand when they are in their own 'zone' of energy, a feeling of purpose, a sense of themselves as whole, happy, focused. As the New York Times reported you can learn 'How to Hack Your Brain (for $5,000)'. Or you can, as I suggest, take time to review your own talents, strengths, potential and what gives you a sense of purpose. This costs less and keeps you out of the danger of getting excited about someone else's paradise, rather than your own unique spot on this planet.

"My Enchanted Self concept has continued to expand in ways I never imagined five years ago. One is the birth of the Selfie. While most psychologists have been down on the Selfie, I see it as a marvelous tool of technology that brings into everyone's hands the capacity to be a filmmaker. Whether you take videos of your funny cat, or keep your vacation diary in pictures and videos on your phone, you are technically a filmmaker.

"Endless potential is out there. Is it dangerous? It can be, just as Facebook can be misleading when ads are sold that can undermine our great democracy. But let us assume responsible behavior and see what I have done with Selfiesasfilm.com.

"When we look at what is happening now, especially in regards to the situation involving Harvey Weinstein, we see that in the film world women have played a second class role. I am determined as a director and writer in the film world to be a force that brings more women to the success levels they deserve in that world, without being bullied or pushed inappropriately.

"I have developed a new approach to filmmaking that involves a combination of smart phones and a camera crew. The powerful short films I am making using Smart phones and a camera crew illustrate and highlight through drama the angst that our girls, tweens and teens go through in our culture. Whether it is severe anxiety, as discussed in the New York Times Magazine Section, 'Why are more American teenagers than ever suffering from severe anxiety,' or the opiod epidemic, early pregnancy, bullying, alcohol, poor self-esteem, lack of vocational direction, drugs, girls are at risk and need avenues that help to educate and elaborate their dilemmas.

"I was honored to have my film 'Secrets, A Coming of Age, Selfie Film' nominated for the Alice Guy-Blache Women in Cinema Award at the Golden Door International Film Festival on October 7, 2017. Nominees were announced at the Awards Night at The Lankmark Loew's Jersey Theatre in Jersey City. To be the first female director of Selfie Films aimed at a better understanding of the psychological, social and emotional needs of kids, particularly, girls, tweens and teens growing up in our society is a mission I take seriously as a psychologist and now a filmmaker. To be linked now in this nomination with the first Woman Director in the early days of film making is meaningful and inspirational to me.

"The making of films that help girls, tweens and teens be better understood, feel better about themselves and make better decisions, utilizing camera techniques that are dramatically able to increase the emotional reactions of audiences and lead to better understanding of kid's dilemmas are a win-win for everyone."

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 of 2016. The film was chosen as an Official Selection in the Chain Film Festival held in Manhattan on August 13, 2016. Also selected by the Jersey City International Television and Film Festival (JCITFF), and shown on 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 in September 2016. It was shown at The Grove Film Festival in Jersey City on May 21, 2017, the shorter version was shown at The Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey. 'The Truth, A Short Film' was an official selection for the virtual Female Filmmakers Film Festival. There was a public voting of favorite films and 'The Truth' came in 12th of 92 films. 'The Truth, A Short Film' was an Official Selection at the Roselle Park Shorts Film Festival on September 25, 2017.

'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 smart phone technology. These Selfie Films assisted by a professional camera crew, result in an intensity and intimacy of performance. 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.

'Falling in Love' was an official selection at the Brightside Tavern Film Festival in Jersey City in early March, nominated for several awards, including 'Best Experimental Film' and 'Best New Jersey Short'. It came in second place for 'Best New Jersey Short'.

'Falling in Love' was an official selection also at The Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival in Asbury Park on May 21, 2017. It was nominated for several awards, including Best Experimental Film, and Best Concept Film. Megan Brown, a high school freshman, who stars in 'Falling in Love' received the 'Rising Star Award' for her acting performance in 'Falling in Love' at this Festival.

On June 19, 2017, 'The Truth', and 'Falling in Love' was shown at the Monmouth County District Library in Shrewsbury, followed by a talk and Q&A led by Dr. Holstein and assisted by Megan Brown, actress.

Dr Holstein presented her Selfiesasfilm concept at the American Psychological Association meetings in early August 2017 at a Symposium: Novel Directions: Novel Directions: Four Practicing Psychologists' Atypical Pursuits. The audience watched her film,'The Truth, A Short, Short Film' and the 30 second trailer to her newest film, 'Secrets, A Coming of Age, Selfie Film.'

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 [email protected]. 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 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.

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