Reviews & Quotes | Possible Selves

 

Educational Media Reviews Online | Giovanna Colosi, Librarian for the School of Education, Subject Instruction Lead, Syracuse University
Recommended - "According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), there are approximately 420,000 children in foster care in the United States as of 2021. Of these children only an estimated 3% graduate from college. Possible Selves follows teenagers who are placed in foster care through their high school years to see if they can reach that goal ... This film would work well for in-class viewings in courses such as social work, sociology, counseling and human services and teacher prep."

Ellen Wartella, Al Thani Professor of Communication, Professor of Psychology, Professor of Human Development and Social Policy, Northwestern University, Emeritus
"This is a wonderful film that is informative, touching and able to give voice to adolescents in need. It should be watched and used as an educational resource as well."

National Foster Youth Institute | Rebecca Louve Yao, Executive Director
“We believe in the power of lifting up the voices of foster youth to help young people and families everywhere thrive. Possible Selves is a powerful documentary that does exactly this—it puts the spotlight on foster youth and elevates their voices in an authentic and compelling way."

Los Angeles Times | Grace Toohey, Staff Writer
"Even though the documentary dives into some of the teens' worst moments and greatest insecurities, [onscreen participants] Derisso and Ballantyne are both overwhelmingly proud of the film. 'I got to see how much I've grown and my progress,' Derisso said. 'I hope that this motivates other foster kids to make their dreams come true.'"

Wendy Smith, Retired clinical professor and associate dean of curriculum development and assessment at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and psychotherapist in private practice
"Possible Selves is a powerful and penetrating look at the challenges facing young people in our foster care system and as they emerge from it. The film allows us to learn about the failings of the system and their impact on vulnerable youth, even as it demonstrates their inspiring capacity to overcome great difficulty and to grow and blossom."

Mia Derisso, Possible Selves Documentary Participant
"Thank you for telling our stories, and thank you for allowing me to see a piece of myself I had forgotten. I feel like this film healed the small me who was afraid of change and the new world. I promise to be a part of the 4% that finishes college." (from a message Mia wrote to the filmmakers after watching the film for the first time)

KCRW | Steve Chiotakis, Host
"The film highlights the triumphs and tragedies of adolescents transitioning into adulthood while dealing with the aftermath of the foster care system."

CBS KCAL News | Rubadeh Shahbazi, Anchor
"It's so important that we see stories like yours to give people hope."