Foster

A film by Deborah Oppenheimer & Mark Jonathan Harris

Every child needs a family

From Oscar™-winning filmmakers Deborah Oppenheimer & Mark Jonathan Harris and Participant Media, documentary film FOSTER takes an unprecedented look at an often-misunderstood world and upends some of the most enduring myths about foster care and those involved in the system. It is a revealing look at the foster care system as seen through the eyes of those who know it best.

There are currently more than 400,000 children in foster care in the U.S., a number that continues to grow each year. Drawing on unprecedented access, FOSTER traces a complex path through the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, interweaving first-hand stories of those navigating the system with insights from social workers, advocates and others working in the justice system. The film offers a realistic but hopeful perspective on a community that needs society’s support.

Director

Deborah Oppenheimer & Mark Jonathan Harris

Producer

Deborah Oppenheimer, Samantha Polan, and Lisa Remington

Runtime

112 minutes

Rights Represented

Educational Rights

Captions Available

English

Language

English, Spanish

Press

“[Foster] immortalizes the grit of Los Angeles, distant from the glimmering lights the city is known for, and illustrates the stories of those affected by the foster care system”

- The Guardian

“The film also points out that the problems in and around the foster system are indicative of larger issues that society hasn’t addressed, such as poverty, drug addiction, unaddressed mental health issues and racism.”

- Variety

“…an intimate, intensely dramatic film that holds us in its grip like a page-turning novel. Except it’s all true.”

- LA Times

“Over the course of two hours, Harris presents a wide-ranging and clear-eyed look at the potential and limits of the current foster care system”

- The Daily Dot
Read More
Film Licensing

We distribute films globally but we only hold the rights in particular territories in some cases.

Letting us know what type of group you are will help us get you set up with the right type of license. If you do not fall squarely into one of these categories, select “individual” or contact us at screenings@rocofilms.com.

Unsure what you need?
Here are some basic definitions to help! Please visit our FAQs for further information.

  • In-person screening: This license includes the public performance rights required to host a screening for your group and a DVD copy of the film
  • Virtual screening: A link and code that are available for a single 72 hour period
  • Streaming subscriptions: Ongoing streaming access for an institution provided by our partner, Film Platform.  Please note it takes 3-5 business days to get your streaming access set up.  Questions about your set-up – contact setup@filmplatform.net.
  • DVD for classroom use: This is a DVD with permission to share in a classroom only
  • Custom and secure link and code to provide to event participants during designated screening period.
  • Option to receive registration information.

Includes Standard Setup Plus...

  • Custom screening page with your logo and event description
  • Option to add custom video introduction
  • Ability to add custom resources and ‘Calls to Action’
  • Access to participation and attendance analytics

Don’t worry, you can always change this date if needed but if you already have a screening or license activation date in mind, it will help expedite the process. Please note it takes 1 week to get a virtual screening room set up.

Your Selection
Foster

Every child needs a family

Cost $0.00