FABULOUS FOSTERS - The Anatomy of Overcoming is a new, deeply personal feature-length documentary about how several high-profile people, who had previously been foster children, conquered their hardships and eventually came to thrive in their lives. 

The film’s goal is to empower, entertain, and educate everyone who ever had to overcome any serious hardship whether in foster care or not. 

FABULOUS FOSTERS - The Anatomy of Overcoming will celebrate the 100th anniversary of establishing Child Welfare Services in the United States, and is helmed by Oscar-contender and multi-award-winning director, Klaudia Kovács, who grew up in foster care.

CONCEPT

There are approximately 400,000 foster youths nationwide and the number is increasing. The foster care system under-invests in foster children and does not adequately prepare them for adult life.

“Within four years of aging out, 70% will be on government assistance, 25% will not have completed high school, and less than 12% will ever earn a college degree. 50% have no earnings, and those who do, make an average annual income of $7,500. As foster youths age out, homelessness and unemployment become a huge issue.” - ifoster.org

The specific reason the movie focuses on household names is because these individuals are role models to many of us. They are already manifesting, living, and organically drawing attention to the ultimate message of the project: it’s possible to overcome extreme childhood adversity. FABULOUS FOSTERS - The Anatomy of Overcoming would like to share, spread, and amplify the inspiration these powerhouses give to society.

Because of their success, only a few realize they come from disadvantaged backgrounds. We will reveal our interviewees' arc of evolution—not their professional and business achievements—but more importantly their personal journey of going beyond survival.

By including academically respected and well-known psychologists, social workers, behavioral scientists in the documentary, we seek the answer to the ultimate question: how exactly can we effectively overcome trauma, defeat tremendous external and internal obstacles, and live life in balance and to its fullest? What are the specific factors that help us overcome and reinvent our lives? 

To provide context of our interviewee’s victories today, FABULOUS FOSTERS - The Anatomy of Overcoming will not shy away from being transparent about their hardships and show the reality of their lives.

There have been many children who did not have adequate parental care that ended up achieving extraordinary things. Some of these famous fosters are:

Louis Armstrong, Trumpeter/Singer *

Simone Biles, Gymnast/Olympian

Pierce Brosnan, Actor/Producer

Cher, Singer/Actress

Coco Chanel, Fashion Designer/Businesswoman *

James Dean, Actor *

Tiffany Haddish, Actress/Comedian

Steve Jobs, Businessman/CEO of Apple, Inc. *

Colin Kaepernick, Football Quarterback

John Lennon, Musician/Founder of the Beatles *

Greg Louganis, Diver/Olympian

Marilyn Monroe, Actress *

Alonzo Mourning, NBA Player/Basketball Executive

Eddie Murphy, Actor/Comedian

Willie Nelson, Musician

Seal, Singer/Songwriter

Sylvester Stallone, Actor/Producer

Ice T, Rapper/Musician

Also, there have been several notable foster parents who have spoken out about becoming mothers and fathers through adopting foster children:

John Cryer, Actor & Lisa Joyner, Actress

Cleo King, Actress

Alec Mapa, Actor/Comedian

Scott Shriner, Musician/Member of Weezer

Emma Thompson, Actress

Nia Vardalos, Actress/Writer

BACKGROUND

As the filmmaker, I’m particularly interested in the topic of triumphing against all odds, since as a child, I too was in foster care.

Because of my absent father, I was raised by my single mother. When I was six years old, my mom and I were in a gas explosion, and I saw her burn to death. 

I was placed in foster care and my maternal grandmother became my foster parent. However, she was ill and passed away a few years after.

Since my father was my closest relative, by law, he had to make a decision about my next placement. I requested to move in with him, but instead he and his new wife sent me to an orphanage.

As I aged out of the system, as a young adult I was in a car accident that left me temporary disabled and unable to pay rent. Like many other foster youth, I became homeless because I had nowhere to go. I built my current life from that vulnerable and challenging place.  

I’ve written about the long-term impact of foster care, and my latest essay was published in:

• The Budapest Herald

• The Immigrant Magazine

• Friends of the Children - Los Angeles

With this film I’m committed to putting out a message of hope to those who are as lost as I once was and need encouragement to stay on course.

I strongly believe that all, even those without particularly tragic circumstances or a background in foster care, can use inspiration, and that is the overall calling of this project: to strengthen and enliven my fellow humans.

FINANCING

Currently, FABULOUS FOSTERS - The Anatomy of Overcoming, is in development and seeks development funds for:

• Research

• Writing a synopsis and script

• Securing interviewees

• Identifying behavioral scientists, psychologists, educators

• Building relationships with donors, investors, and sponsors

• Developing a pitch deck

• Shooting a sizzle reel

• Build a creative team

FABULOUS FOSTERS - The Anatomy of Overcoming is open to any variation of financing, and welcomes the following type of support:

• Donations

• Sponsorship

• In-kind donations

• Private investments

• Pre-sales

• Tax-incentives

• Grants

• Broadcasters

• Streaming platforms

FABULOUS FOSTERS - The Anatomy of Overcoming secured a (non-profit) fiscal sponsorship status with From the Heart Productions and are actively seeking financial contributions HERE.

You may support this film in the forms of:

• Cash

• Checks

• Credit card

• Wire transfers or ACH (U.S. only)

• Stocks

• Matching donations

• Online donations

If:

• you’re able to provide any assistance, or

• want to receive updates for the film, or

• later wish to be invited to red carpet premieres,

please enter your information below.

Also, join our list if you’d like to be part of this heart-warming project, focusing on and celebrating the potential of all children.

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