The Child Welfare Film Festival (CWFF) is a Brooklyn-based film festival dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding youth in the child welfare system by sharing their stories and perspective.

The event, which takes place May 5, 2019 during Natonal Foster Care Month, takes an in-depth look at family separation, the factors that contribute to it, and the long lasting impact it can have. Each short film block will be followed by a filmmaker Q&A and advocate panel discussion. Panelists will include foster care alumni, social workers and foster parents.

Event Details:
Sunday, May 5, 2019,
Halyards Bar
406 3rd Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Doors open at 2 p.m.

* * *
2:30 - 4:45 p.m.
PROGRAM 1: INTERRUPTED
A glimpse of what happens when extenuating circumstances cause biological families to separate and the impact it can have on everyone involved. Films include:

Turning Tables:
An American family is forced to flee violence in their country, only to discover the neighboring country where they seek asylum is not as welcoming as promised.

Amir Ali:
Amir Ali is a teenage boy whose parents are getting a divorce. His mother has left their home and Amir Ali has one task to do before he takes off with his sister.

One Small Step:
A 9-year-old girl attempts to juggle the responsibilities of school and her younger siblings after her mother goes missing.

Sonia:
Sonia Mendez, a formerly incarcerated Latina woman attempts to reconnect with her children after being released from prison.

Feeling Wanted:
With a dad incarcerated for murder, a mom on drugs & a childhood in foster care, Charell knew it was time to break the cycle.

Panel to follow includes:
Aisha Amin — Director of "Sonia" and advocate for mothers in prison
Charell Star — Foster care alumni and subject of "Feeling Wanted"
Allison Hollihan — Senior Policy Manager, NY Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents

* * *

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
PROGRAM 2: SEARCHING
From entering a first foster home to aging out; a look at foster care from the eyes of foster youth as they search for stability, connections, acceptance and a place to call home. Films include:

Love is Never Wasted:

The Orphan:
Jonathas has been adopted but then returned due to his 'different' way. Inspired by true events.

Life Through My Eyes:
After a girl runs away from the group home, her found diary helps the girls in the home learn they are not alone.

Blossom:
Former foster youth face many setbacks upon becoming independent from the system. Blossom follows three young women in this transition from adolescence to adulthood as they come to terms with their upbringings and find stability for themselves.

Panel to follow includes:
Christina Matanick — Foster parent and producer of the acclaimed Removed film series
Anthony Turner — Foster youth served by City Living NY
Lucy Baptiste — Foster care alumni
Elizabeth Van Horn — Program Manager, CASA NYC

* * *

8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
PROGRAM 3: CONNECTIONS
Finding connections to people and places can alleviate a child's fears and shape their futures. Films include:

The Complete Circle:
A Korean adoptee finally makes it back to her birthplace after spending a lifetime in the United States.

What you should know about Kai:
A foster youth's journey to find inspiration through photography thanks to the help of a social worker.

Fade Away:
A teenage kid is released from his treatment center only to find out that everyone close to him can’t stay connected with him anymore.

Heavens Hard Pitches:
A young girl searches for answers to her father’s identity and the reason she was sent to foster care

Mothering:
Mothering tells the story of a young girl, Mia, arriving at her new foster home. When her first period unexpectedly appears in the early hours, help comes in the form of her foster parent's elderly mother, Pauline.

Panel to follow includes:
Kai Engel - Foster care alumni and subject of "What You Should Know About Kai"
Barry Chafkin, LCSW — CEO and co-founder of Fostering Change For Children
Christina Young — Foster youth served by City Living NY
Jasmine Edwards — Foster youth served by City Living NY

* * *

Doors open at 2:00 p.m., so come early to grab some food and drinks and get settled in.

Come for one event or stay for the whole day! Tickets to individual programs are $15 or grab a full day pass for only $25.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will directly benefit foster youth served by City Living NY. City Living NY provides household goods and social support for youth aging out of the foster care system.

This event is sponsored in part by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).

CWFF is co-hosted by the Foster Care Film & Community Engagement Project (FCFCEP) and City Living NY, a non-profit which serves youth aging out of the child welfare system. For more information about FCFCEP, visit www.fostercarefilm.com and follow the Foster Care Film on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fostercarefilm and on Twitter@FosterCareFilm.

To learn more about City Living NY at www.citylivingny.org.