New film, “Instant Family,” based off non-profit that is making an impact on the Central Coast
A new film, set to hit theaters this November, found inspiration from a non-profit that is making an impact on the central coast.
The new Mark Wahlberg film, “Instant Family,” hosted a premiere tonight at the Del Monte Center Century Theatres. The film will bring the real-life journey of adoption to the big screen. Film director, Sean Anders, got inspired to bring the story to the big screen after he and his wife decided to grow their family and adopted 3 children through Seneca and the Kinship Center in Orange County. The non-profit group helps at-risk children find permanent, loving homes. The central coast has its own branch of the Kinship Center, providing services in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties.
The film aims to show the happy, sad, and comedic moments parents often face when adopting. The central coast Kinship Center’s executive director, Carol Bishop, said Anders’ film accurately portrays the adoption process. “He said it was such a wonderful experience and had changed their lives so much for the better that he wanted everyone to know what an exciting adventure it was and that anybody could do it,” said Bishop.
Bishop said that a past central coast Kinship Center employee was on set during filming to make sure the movie captured a realistic depiction of what goes on at the center.
One of the central coast center’s current social workers, Carla Felton, said she is excited for people to learn more about adoption through the film. “For people to get a real idea of what an adoptive family looks like and what parenting children who have been placed in foster looks like. This film really does have all of those things, which is what we work with on a daily basis,” said Felton.
Felton spends her days educating those who are considering adoption and providing new families with the resources and support they need along the way. “It’s just like any kind of parenting experience. It may look different than how some other families are formed, but there is a huge community and network of folks who have done this and have continued to do it amazingly,” said Felton.
Felton said she hopes the film will inspire families, and relay one important message. ” We need you. There’s just a big need for folks to open their homes and their hearts for these children and to be a resource for them,” said Felton.
“Instant Family” will be out in theatres on November 16th.
