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Screening slated for documentary that tackles social-media issues

Selfless screened on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Transform Central in Abbotsford

A screening of the documentary Selfless takes place in Abbotsford on Saturday, Nov. 30.

The screening starts at 7 p.m. at Transform Central, 2413 McCallum Rd.

A question-and-answer session follows with director Kim Laureen of Mission and her daughter, producer Meg Nicole of Abbotsford.

In conjunction with the event, a free parents’ workshop, titled Raising Teens in the Social Media Age, takes place the night before – Friday, Nov. 29 – at 7 p.m. at Highstreet Shopping Centre.

Registration for the workshop is required at eventbrite.ca.

The film is designed to open the conversation about the ever-growing epidemic of selfies, social media and technology.

The idea for the film began when the pair pondered: “If a girl lived in the forest with no mirrors, magazines or social media, what would beautiful look like to her and how would she see herself?”

The story begins in Devon, England, where the Warburton family show how full life can be when you are not slaves to technology.

The filmmakers also went to high schools in the U.S. and Canada with family therapist Dr. Dave Currie and mentor/singer Brittni Jessie, where they spoke with youth about the challenges they face in the world today.

Selfless focuses on youth making a difference while their stories offer four key messages.

Laureen and Nicole said that, during their filming of young people, they consistently heard messages about “loneliness in a social media age.”

From this, they started #RaiseTheBar, which invites students to sign up and start a #RaiseTheBar club in their school or youth group.

This is led by a monthly newsletter filled with interviews and connections with cast and other members, along with challenges and opportunities to offer service to their community.

More information can be found on the website fresh independence.com.

Tickets for the screening are by donation and can be purchased online at eventbrite.ca by searching “Selfless documentary screening.”

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