It’s Okay To Be Real

Next Gen Student Films

It’s Okay To Be Real

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It’s Okay to be Real is a short documentary film created in The Representation Project’s 2020 Youth Media Academy. This film aims to help educate the audience about how girls feel when they look at themselves in the mirror versus online on social media.

Film Festival Acceptances: Miami Independent Film Festival, SonderBlu Film Festival, Creators Film Festival (Quarter-Finalist, High School Films)

Film Festival Nominations & Awards: 

  • Creators Film Festival – Semi-Finalist, High School Films (Under 45 Minutes)

CALLS TO ACTION

Questions for discussion following the viewing:

  1. Has using social media affected your views on body image, or your body, in any way?
  1. Have influencers, celebrities, or Instagram models ever caused you to think about your body image? Was it in a negative or positive way?
  1. Can you describe a time you have felt self-conscious due to portrayals of body image in the media? 
  1. Is there a difference between the person in the mirror vs. what you’re willing to show online?
  1. How do you feel after hearing young people’s stories and struggles with their body image?

Feeling Inspired? Please consider selecting at least one of the following to bring about positive change in our society.

Calls to Action for It’s Okay to Be Real

*Keep a list of things you like about yourself. It can be things you like about yourself on the inside and/or the outside. 

*Appreciate all of the amazing things your body can do. Celebrate all of the amazing things your body does for you—running, dancing, breathing, laughing, dreaming, etc.

*Become a critical viewer of social media messages. Pay attention to images, slogans, or attitudes that make you feel bad about yourself or your body. Protest these messages: write a letter to the advertiser or talk back to the image or message.

*Remind yourself that “true beauty” isn’t simply skin-deep. When you feel good about yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with a sense of confidence, self-acceptance, and openness that makes you beautiful. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of your body.

#BodyImage #SelfLove #BodyPositive #BodyImageAwareness #EliminatePerfection #CelebrateMySize #YouthContentCreators #YouthContentCommentators #YMA2020