Set in 1980s Baltimore, Counterfeit Kids stars seemingly ordinary people. As a directorial debut of Screenwriter James Sclafani, it seeks to explore the characters and situations that are not overtly dramatic, but carry the hardship and difficulties that can be easily recognized in any context or time period or place. By doing this, it offers a slow-burning crime drama that is not only about real emotions and different mind states, but also characters who, because of that, seem all too real.
The film places the audience inside a foster home, where two teenagers dream of something better. They are Nic and Jude, both young and completely aware of the instability and toxicity of their newfound circumstances. This is especially seen in the form of the leeching and manipulative Jerry and Trisha, who run the same home. Nic is close to Jude, who is her best friend, but also conflicted about her relationship with her mom Trisha. During a time when Nic was suffering from leukemia, Trisha was there to take care of her. But, as time passed, that relationship turned toxic.
On the other hand, Jude is a talented and resourceful artist who comes up with a simple idea - to use his skills to make counterfeit money. Nic, on the other hand, has both charm and personality that allow the pair to pass off the fake money in places like local stores and flea markets. As the scheme seems to work, Trisha and Jerry find out about it and decide to steal some of the counterfeit bills. This sets the film on an escalating path where Nic, in particular, will have to make some hard choices, especially when it comes to Trisha.
This film is not a massive crime spectacle, and most definitely isn’t something that romanticizes the necessity and the drive to commit these illegal deeds. Instead, Sclafani draws on his previous experience to build a small but believable world of two young people who desire to change their lives no matter the cost. Instead of resigning to their cruel and unfair fate, both Nic and Jude are determined to change their fortunes, however possible. A story like that has an inherent, timeless power and with it, all-encompassing ability to connect to the audience.
This film is not a massive crime spectacle, and most definitely isn’t something that romanticizes the necessity and the drive to commit these illegal deeds. Instead, Sclafani draws on his previous experience to build a small but believable world of two young people who desire to change their lives no matter the cost. Instead of resigning to their cruel and unfair fate, both Nic and Jude are determined to change their fortunes, however possible. A story like that has an inherent, timeless power and with it, all-encompassing ability to connect to the audience.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in experiencing, Counterfeit Kids will screen at the New Jersey International Film Festival on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The screening will take place at Rutgers University’s Voorhees Hall in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Tickets, as well as all relevant festival information are available here.
