The XChange: Online Screening and Panel Discussion of Foster Care Film

Event Notes

Click Here to Listen to the Full Podcast of the Panel Discussion

Yasmin:

"Family Rewritten" is the 3rd Film in Foster Care Film's series of short films designed to give foster youth a voice and to inspire them; also designed to educate foster parents, child welfare professionals, and advocates on the foster youth perspective. Had one previous preview screening and will be premiering on the film festival circuit in the summer.

JD:

Film was well put-together. Curious if there is something we can work on when the film shows a state of "out of control." So many people use the camera spinning around the room to show this state, and it would be revolutionary to come up with another way to showcase this state. Loved how the person of interest in the film spoke so highly about trying to protect her family and advocating for her family by identifying resources. Loved the fact that there was a serious medical condition that was featured in a foster care training format. Loved how main character noted "Just because you are able to have a child biologically, does not mean you should be a parent" and how she integrated it into her story. Appreciated the maturity in which main character conveyed her story. Would love to sit next to her on a panel.

Yasmin Response:

When interviewing Camilla (main character) and editing the 2 to 3 hours of content, the line about not everybody being parents was something I knew should be in the film. Camilla was 16 when things started falling apart in her family, 17 when she entered into foster care, and 18 going on 19 when we interviewed her.

Kea:

Loved the film. Knowing people with Cystic Fibrosis and being in care myself, I thought the film was beautifully done.

Tony:

Video was really good. Former foster youth myself, and have done some panels with Yasmin. One thing I thought was powerful was how Camilla said she was not embarrassed to talk about her story. I remember when I got into foster care at 14 years old and was ashamed of being in foster care, and felt people would judge me. It took me a few years at 17 or 18 years old to really embrace being in foster care. I thought it was really cool that she was able to look at her story as an inspiration and that she was not scared to look at other resources for herself outside of her family. He having support contacts outside of her family helped her thrive in her community. Having mentors helped me thrive in and after foster care.

Yasmin Response:

Camilla is definitely mature for her, especially for her age. If I had to guess, a lot of it came from having this great support system, and some of that may have gotten lost after all of the edits we had to do. The writing is also something that really helped her. Artwork for the film is actually made from Camilla's portfolio of writing.

Brian:

Coming from the perspective of working in the child welfare system and serving as a foster parent. Thought the movie was fantastic. We have a severe shortage of foster homes who are willing to take teenagers. If Camilla is able to show her story about her strengths, it would be really beneficial to foster parents who have at least some interest in fostering teenagers. They would not be as scared to take in teenagers. This would definitely be one of the films that would be great for the event Foster Leaders has been discussing in Connecticut.

Yasmin Response:

During our first preview event, we had Camilla's foster mother and we had several people saying this is something that foster parents could really benefit from. Our first two films are available for purchase for educational purposes.

JD:

Glad we are mentioning support system, as that is a major initiative for DCFS for building permanent connections.

Bruce:

Also loved this film. I thought one thing that was interesting, which is not seen too often when stuff is done on foster care, is the resolve Camilla showed. I'm very interested in creating a positive message for foster parents and foster kids. Camera angles were excellent. Used to be a president of a foster parent association, and the idea of sharing this with foster parents of older youth would be beneficial in eliminating the stigma that older foster youth are difficult. I believe that older foster youth are exceptional for the most part, and the experience will be good as long as everyone involved is upfront with each other. I thought that the medical foster care side of the film was especially interesting. Also wanted to ask about the end, where Camilla was talking with more people (friends, extended family, and acquaintances), and if the focus on male role models was done for a reason. Many foster youth do not typically want to be around another father figure type when they have had problems with their father figure in the past, and it was particularly interesting how she was accepting of other father figures in her life. There is a part in health care policies, where foster parents can put their foster youth on their policy.

Yasmin Response:

We could have expanded on the medical foster care aspect if we included an interview with the foster mom. Camilla has never identified herself as having a disability. Always identified as middle class teenager from NYC. Kim, her foster parent, is concerned what is going on with health care with all of the changes going on. There was never any big deal about adoption, but they would like to put Camilla on their health care, which makes adoption a possibility. The male father figure component was not on purpose, but what was on purpose was ending the film on a positive not and showing how "family was rewritten" in the life of Camilla. New male role model was already in Camilla's life and there was already a connection, while Camilla's dad was still alive. I would really like to do more events that are geared towards showing foster youth positive stories and inspiring them.

Beth:

Has been a foster parent for 5 years and I also have a daughter who has Cystic Fibrosis. Have felt called by God to do medical foster care. It is interesting to see the lack of knowledge informing the placement of children with medical needs. Having Cystic Fibrosis gives youth a maturity because of the obstacles they have faced and have had to overcome. It breaks my hear that there was a lapse in the interdisciplinary team that was able to identify what Camilla was going through medically at an earlier age. They have supports for families and supports for kids with Cystic Fibrosis if you are in a community with a great Cystic Fibrosis clinic, but there is always a need for more people to help.

Yasmin Response:

The interesting thing about Camilla's situation was that the caseworkers allowed Camilla to stay in her friend's home while her friend's family became licensed. This is something that does not always happen in the system, and in this case, the system worked out like it should. We would love to pair with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or other foundations that would find interest in the medical needs side of our film.

JD:

I'm glad that Beth mentioned medical issues, because I was diagnosed to be insulin dependent at an early age, and the state failed to communicate that effectively, which caused multiple medical issues down the road. Older foster youth are just teenagers doing regular teenager stuff. Camilla is wiser beyond her years and I love that this film showcases that, while showcasing her late teenage years.

Bruce and Beth:

Bruce offered to connect with Beth about information concerning medically-fragile information.

Bruce and Yasmin:

I would like to try to connect Camilla to permanent health care for her situation.

Foster Care Film Details:

When we started, we originally did several interviews with a goal of the interviews being a part of one story. After all the interviews were done, we had so many different types of stories that we decided to a series of films. We are interviewing people from a wide variety of ages.

Website: www.fostercarefilm.com

Email: info@fostercarefilm.com

We have 6 or 7 short films in the works, and a feature film if funding comes through.

If anyone wants to order DVD of "Feeling Wanted" or "My Identity" for educational or other viewing purposes, each page has a link to order. We do the film festival circuit, which is great because it allows us to reach out to the general public with the foster youth cause.

About Foster Care Film

Our goal is to provide role models for youth currently in the foster care system, giving them work experience as well as hope and inspiration for a better future. Through film and media we intend to dispel negative stereotypes about foster care by showing how school, extended family and the kindness of strangers can help a child find their path in life. By educating general audiences about foster care we can inspire prospective foster parents, mentors or advocates to take action within their communities.

Family Rewritten Synopsis

As a child, Camilla was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. She needs a high calorie diet and access to electricity to do her daily therapy. At age 17, she comes home to find the fridge empty, the apartment dirty, and the electricity turned off. She decides to move into her best friend Maja's house to seek refuge. Camilla and her older sister, Christina, grew up in a stable, middle-class home. When Camilla’s mother loses her job, life begins to spiral out of control. Her father begins to drink more heavily and the house falls into disarray.The Administration for Children’s Services visits Camilla’s house after hearing a report about the conditions in the home. Camilla’s father is irate and claims they “kidnapped” his daughter. Meanwhile Maja’s parents finally learn the true reason for Camilla’s nightly sleepovers and begin to make long term plans to legally become her foster parents.