Matt's Story

Overview: what would you do with a second chance at life? The true story of Matt Caruana, a 14-year-old student suffering from depression who took the ultimate step and found himself with a new perspective & purpose in life.

Director

Paul Mailath

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

Paul Mailath

Paul Mailath

Matt Caruana

Justin Boerst

Kirsty Boerst

Les Besseny

​Dr Gerald Lawson

Country Originated

Australia

you are enough

Overview: A spoken word poem with a public service announcement on Mental Health Awareness and my Diagnosis of Bipolar Depression

Director

Greg Vogt

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

Vince Ruggieri

Vince Ruggieri

Matt Haider

Greg Vogt

Steve Pillage

Vince Ruggieri

Country Originated

United States

Psychiatrist as Patient: Caring for the Caregiver

Overview: “Psychiatrist As Patient: Caring for the Caregiver” is a riveting story that sheds light on one doctor’s mental health journey from secrecy and sickness to health and hope. Dr. John Budin, an esteemed New York City psychiatrist, associate professor and hospital director, steps out of the mental health closet after thirty-five years in practice: “I am a treating psychiatrist and I am also a psychiatric patient because I have Bipolar Disorder. I am a caregiver and, finally now, a care receiver engaging my true self in this world.”

Director

Stephanie Choriatis

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

John Budin

Stephanie Choriatis

​Jerry Pavlon-Blum

Stephanie Choriatis

​Jerry Pavlon-Blum

John Budin

Scott Kalish, MD

Elaine Pasqua

Anne Marie Albano, PhD

Michael Pollock

Country Originated

United States

On The Couch With My Depression

Director returning for a 2nd year!

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Overview: Full of excited anticipation, a poet plans to go to a book party. Then along comes depression. A film about yearning simply to be able to clean your teeth and leave the house.

Based on the poem "I was going to go to Dorothea Lasky’s book party in Brooklyn, but instead I stayed on the couch with my depression, not crying" by Paula Harris

Director

Angharad Gladding

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

Paula Harris

Paula Harris

Hope Houlton

Country Originated

New Zealand

The Cause of Death

Overview: Working as an obituary writer, David is very familiar with death. That is, until Death himself shows up to try to give David new perspective.

Director

Timothy McCarthy

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

Tim McCarthy

Jonathan Murphy

Chris Burnett

Chingo Bling

Jonathan Murphy

Adam Deitrich

​Alisa McCarthy

Country Originated

United States

The Mind Inside: Always On

Overview: Explore the complicated world of social media – its influence on young minds and its impact on student's mental health. From peer pressure to sexting, picture-perfect selfies, and online memes, expressing the difficult feelings and behaviors often associated with adolescence conflicts with the happy, image-focused Internet identity amassed in youth culture today.

With research indicating a clear relationship between the amount of time spent on social media and an inclination to feel depressed and anxious, the conversation about social media becomes deeply connected with mental health.

Hear directly from students, teachers, and medical experts to understand how the ever-changing social landscape affects what happens in the classroom today. With remarkable candor, this film illustrates the nuances of the digital and real worlds of today’s student, where the development of the adolescent brain and vulnerabilities of growing up are compounded by daily, persistent online interactions.

Director

Sally Nellson Barrett

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

Sally Nellson Barrett

Sally Nellson Barrett

 N/A

Country Originated

United States

Out of the Dark: AKeem

Overview: How do you fight an enemy you cannot see? This is the story of AKeem Rollins, known for his viral slam poetry piece “Suicide Note,” and how he faced the greatest challenge of his life and found strength he never knew he had.

The three-part docuseries Out of the Dark, showcases the personal journeys of some of the most influential mental health activists. Each short film takes an in-depth look at the struggles these young leaders overcame, the impact of their work, and their continuing journeys.

Director

Sarah Klein

Tom Mason

Animator

Producer

Editor

Joey Abisso

Heather Martino

Kelly Deckert

Justin Rhodes

​John Wilson

Tom Mason

Country Originated

​United States

Her Cold Hands

Overview: "Her Cold Hands" is a music video with a mission to raise awareness of suicidality. Singer-songwriter Stephen Covell served as a combat medic in the 82 Airborne on two tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. About this video he wrote the following, "Take what’s ugly in yourself and turn it into something beautiful. Repurpose the hurt, the shame, and the guilt, all the secret feelings we are told we shouldn’t share. The more we shine a light on the darkness, the less power it has over us.”

Director

Matthew McKee

Music Artist

Producer

Key Cast

Stephen Covell

Juan Arboleda

Tracy Jacquier

Guy Jacquier

John Speed Orr

Terez Dean Orr

Country Originated

United States

The Hope Dealer

Overview: A heroin addict must choose between his family and his addiction in this raw and powerful film that encourages those struggling with opioid abuse to seek help, choose hope, and continue with recovery efforts

Director

Andrew Broadhurst

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

Andrew Broadhurst

Andrew Broadhurst

Dallas White

Dallas White

Olivia McMahon

Hope Cunningham

Kelsey Cooper

Country Originated

United States

Reflections

Overview: "Reflections" is a short film that takes us on an earnest journey through vulnerability and perception to embrace ourselves and each other.

Director

Harlow Schuman

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

Laura Schuman

Laura Schuman

Miles Clark

Natalie Hurwitz

Aspasia Schuman

Oscar Schuman

Kaila Franzwa-Moody

Jadyn Danese

Maximo Rusmeepongskul

Sofie Glezer

Country Originated

United States

The Good Balloon

Overview: A grieving sister finds a ray of light amidst the darkness with the help of an unusual balloon. This is a true story about grief, mental health and the little miracle stories that offer hope when least expected.

Director

Angela Matemotja

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

Lita Lopez

Lita Lopez

Lita Lopez

Eric Flores

Danny Gonzalez

Becki Dennis

Sonya Eddy

Glozell

Hallie York

Rich Liccardo

Country Originated

United States

Her Resolve

Director returning for a 2nd year!

Overview: After enduring the loss of her father, a daughter navigates past remorse to find closure by using the creativity he had fostered, and her connection with her younger sister.

Director

Marissa Dingman

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

Marissa Dingman

Marissa Dingman

Gabrielle Ray

Country Originated

​United States

Silkies

Overview: Silkies is about an unorthodox way to bring military veterans together to prevent suicide. It profiles the work of Irreverent Warriors, who organize dozens of Silkies Hikes each year across the United States, where men and women gather wearing only their insanely short military-issue ‘silkies’ boxer briefs. They then hike 22 kilometers with 22 kilograms on their backs to remember and mourn the 22 veterans who kill themselves on average each day. More importantly, the film documents how the Hikers are aiming to do more than ‘raise awareness’ about suicide; it shows how the Hikes' atmosphere of camaraderie, humor, and vulnerability actively prevents veteran suicide.

Director

Jaremey McMullin

Editor

Producer

Thanks

Tanja Schangin

Jaremey McMullin

San Diego Silkies Hikers,

Ryan Loya

Katherine Kostreva

Samantha Moser

Cindy McNally

Dan Maillard

Nate McDonald

Country Originated

United Kingdom

Follow My Brain | with Cam Webster

Overview: What would you do if one day you could no longer trust your reality – especially as a young boxer? For Cam Webster, it was a punch in the gut. But like any good fighter, he gets back up again.

Director

Robyn Thomas

Writer

Producer

Key Cast

Tamara Plush

Robyn Thomas Naomi Devine Tamara Plush

Cam Webster

Country Originated

Canada