Psychologist And Selfie Filmmaker Barbara Becker Holstein Addresses Teens Girls Coming Of Age In A World Filled With Guns, Violence, Drugs, Suicide And Negative Media Portrayals

    WILMINGTON, NC, February 16, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Our children face issues today we could never have imagined just a few short years ago. They must deal with guns in schools and violence on an unimaginable scale. There is rampant drug use and the peer pressure that comes from the resulting culture. Suicides have occurred in children as young as 8 years of age. Social media has created an alternate reality that adults simply don't understand. And, to top it all off, we have recently become sharply aware of how films and the media perceive the role of women in society. What are we, as rational, thinking, responsible adult parents to do? Psychologist and Selfie Film maker Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein has the answer.

We reach them where they are, using tools they understand.

"As a positive psychologist turned filmmaker I spend lots of my time dealing with the range of complex issues facing kids and their parents today," Dr Holstein stated. "Yes, there is lots of good news, especially for girls and women of all ages. The tides are turning with events like the #Metoo movement and talented women, such as Greta Gerwin, finally getting a chance to direct big screen films and to be nominated for awards, including the Oscars. However, on the home front, where kids and teens actually live and have to make sense of life, things are complicated to stay the least. How does a child process a school gunfire situation where over 20 kindergarten children are slain? How does a child process a situation where a girl of 12 attempts to kill a friend, also 12? How do kids follow the news and process people in high office willing to send to foreign lands over a million youngsters and young adults who came here as babies and/or children and know no other world?"

"Each situation is different, but all reflect a break-down of compassion and caring for others that is so necessary both for the ethics of a society and for the good mental health of its citizens."

"When I wrote 'The Truth' and then 'Secrets' I explained on You Tube that I chose to create a 'girl' and make her real via her intimate diary, so as to help kids and their parents better understand the emotions and situations of growing up. Both books have opened a window of intimacy into the behaviors and feelings of girls, tweens and young teens for years. However, I came to realize that even more was needed in today's world. She was now 'coming of age' in a different world than ten years ago, a world that could best be demonstrated and felt by the audience via film that utilizes a film crew and an actress playing the 'girl' who films many of her scenes via her smart phone."

"Since 'she' (she has no name, as she represents all girls) was in her first film 'The Truth, a Short Film' she has grown older year by year, as we all do. Megan Brown who stared as the 'Girl' in several of the previous films, now 15, plays once again the 'girl' in my newest film 'Conflict'. In 'Conflict' she faces problems and dilemmas that parallel so much of the stress of today's world. 'Conflict' is my first film where no solution is supplied. That's because I want the audience to feel the 'girl's' pain and think about solutions. They are out there, we just have to have the courage as a society to grab on to them and make them work."

For more information go to http://www.selfiesasfilm.com.

Dr. Holstein is now accepting requests to post selfie films on a website devoted to selfie films, SelfieFilmmakers.com. The selfie filmmakers can submit their films for consideration at the site.

The focus of the site is to honor different facets of the Selfie Film phenomenon. It is a place to explore what makes these films so inviting psychologically and emotionally. The site will host a variety of people who are the creators of this new wave of filmmaking. All ages covering a variety of topics. From the depths of our souls to the lightest touch of humor, a new wave of filmmaker explore being human, sharing thoughts and feelings in new ways via smart phones.

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.

'Secrets, A Coming of Age, Selfie Film' by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein was recently nominated for the Alice Guy-Blache Women in Cinema Award at the Golden Door International Film Festival on October 7, 2017 in Jersey City. Nominees were announced at the Awards Night at The Lankmark Loew's Jersey Theatre .

'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.

'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.

Dr Holstein presented her Selfiesasfilm concept, along with her films, at the American Psychological Association meetings in early August 2017 at a Symposium: Novel Directions: Novel Directions: Four Practicing Psychologists' Atypical Pursuits.

On March 27th, 2018, Dr. Holstein is invited back to the Ocean Township Middle School Author's Day where she will have the privilege of sharing her two books, 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween' and 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen' along with several of her Selfie Films based on these book to the entire group of children invited to participate in Authors Day.

'Falling in Love, A Coming of Age Selfie Film' has been selected to be in the Love Shorts Film Festival on the web, at The Audience Awards. This is a Festival where the audience as well as judges vote for the best films. It will run from February 13th to February 20th.

The Brightside Tavern Shorts Fest Film Series, taking place the first weekend in March in Jersey City has nominated 'Secrets, A Coming of Age Selfie Film' for three awards - Best Experimental Film, Best New Jersey Short and Best concept.

'Secrets' has been selected for inclusion in "Passages: Women in Transition," Women In Media - Newark's 2018 Women's History Month film festival, to be held on March 27 - April 5, 2018 at Rutgers University Newark, New Jersey, and at various satellite venues in the area.

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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