Proceeds from special screening to support foster youths

COEUR d’ALENE — Before they became superheroes and rock stars, Brie Larson and Rami Malek starred in an award-winning film with an important message about what happens to kids in foster care.

"Short Term 12" tells the story of troubled teens in a group home, edging ever closer to the day they turn 18 and age out of the system. Larson plays Grace, a young woman who oversees this group of foster kids and works to manage her own issues while keeping these kids afloat.

Writer and director Destin Daniel Cretton based Malek's character, the new guy Nate, on his own experiences living in foster care. Cretton also based this feature-length film on his award-winning 2009 short film of the same name.

Safety Net of North Idaho, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Inland Northwest foster kids and young adults who have aged out of the system, is bringing this film to Coeur d'Alene at 5 p.m. March 22 as its first North Idaho fundraiser.

"It’s important for people to get some good insight as far as what these kids are dealing with," said Safety Net co-founder Molly Allen. "It really talks about the anxieties that happen when you're ready to age out. I want people to see this so they understand what we're doing and who we’re serving."

Safety Net has been active for more than 11 years, but thanks to a $20,000 gift from local businessman Pepper Smock last fall, it is now gaining more of a foothold in the panhandle to serve even more local youths in need.

Co-founder Coleen Quisenberry said she hopes to fill all 300 seats in the theater.

"People in general don’t understand what happens to foster kids when they age out of the system," Quisenberry said. "It’s an eye-opener to see how this works. They have to go when they're ready or not."

All proceeds from this special screening will go to Safety Net and those it serves. Safety Net supporter and actress Ellen Travolta praised Regal Cinemas and Global Credit Union for their support of this presentation.

"Short Term 12" is rated R and not recommended for children younger than 16.

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Tickets are $25.

Regal Riverstone is at 2416 N. Old Mill Loop, Coeur d'Alene.

Tickets and info: www.safetynet.brownpapertickets.com