Draft:Broken (2024 film)

Broken is a feature-length documentary film in production being produced by the Peabody Award winning production company LCMedia Productions and directed by Bill Lichtenstein. tells the story of the fatally flawed child protection, foster care, and juvenile court systems in Massachusetts -- and nationally. The film follows the multi-year investigation of reporter Brooke Lewitas into the Massachusetts child protection, foster care, and family court systems - - set against child welfare nationally. The film follows investigative reporter Brooke Lewitas as she reports this previously untold story, and is being distributed by PBS.

Contrary to popular understanding, 64% of cases in which children are removed from their families by state child welfare systems not for abuse, but for neglect, the blanket term that is frequently conflated with issues stemming directly from poverty such as the lack of food, child care, shelter, clothing, or health care. Additionally, people of color and those with disabilities including mental health issues are disproportionately targeted for the removal of their children.

The trailer for the film has already been invited to be shown at the 2023 Newburyport Documentary Film Festival and the 2023 Social Impact Film Festival. The film is in the public television pipeline for broadcast.