Family STAR invites you to enjoy refreshments, a movie, and post-film discussion on Friday, January 30th, 2015.
Family STAR is hosting its inaugural movie night this coming Friday (January 30th) from 6pm to 9pm at the Adoption STAR/Family STAR office (131 John Muir Drive, Amherst, NY 14228). Movie Night is featuring an adoption-themed film entitled The Boxtrolls, which is suitable for children ages 7 and up. The cost is $7.00 per child, and will include the movie, pizza, drinks, popcorn, candy and a short discussion following the movie. For families wishing to stay on the premises, there are rooms in the lower level of the building (including a playroom) where parents and younger children can relax and play. If you’re interested in attending the event, please RSVP to Wendy Lane by e-mail (wendy@family-star.com) or by telephone (716-639-3030).
Because Family STAR’s Movie Night is meant to be for kids, The Boxtrolls seemed like a more light-hearted and age appropriate choice. We’re confident the evening will prove to be enjoyable for the children in attendance, as well as though provoking (which the brief post-film discussion hopes to capitalize on).
Adoption-themed movie viewing can be a wonderful tool to spur conversation for adults, too. A few years back, the annual dinner and staff training for all Adoption STAR staff featured a viewing of the documentary movie Off and Running, followed by a phenomenal group discussion of the themes/issues that the film tackled, including transracial adoption, openness in adoption, and more. If you’re unfamiliar with the film, you can find out more about it here: Off and Running
After utilizing the film for the annual staff dinner and training, Adoption STAR decided to sponsor a viewing of this film for a youth group/community discussion at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo. The adults and teens in attendance contributed to a lively discussion after the film was over, and helped many in attendance verbalize their thoughts and feelings in a more meaningful way…thanks to the experiences of those in the film.