Program A: (12:00-2:45PM) Mental Health and the Arts
BIPOLART dir. Ronnie Braithwaite | 15 min
An honest exploration into the creative processes of two friends, a musician and a documentary filmmaker, on their journey of sharing publicly that they are bipolar through their art.
STICKS AND STONES dir. Cynthia N. White and Alexander S. White | 3:55 min
A man sorts through the debris of his childhood, seeking help to untangle the differences between his own anxiety and depression, and the impact of toxic masculinity.
SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED TO JOEY dir. Joseph F. Lovett | 11:17 min
Something Terrible Happened to Joey" is a 10 minute animated short film for children ages 6 - 96 about surviving and thriving after childhood trauma. “Joey” experiences "a terrible thing" and "everybody saw it. Everybody knew." One day, after the “terrible thing” happens, Joey wakes up to find a huge bag of coal next to his bed. He has to carry it with him everywhere he goes. Eventually Joey grows up and becomes a storyteller who helps other people tell their stories..
BIPOLAR DISORDER AND THE ARTS: MARK VONNEGUT’S STORY dir. Michael Dillon | 5:28 min
Despite increasing awareness of mental health disorders, stigma still remains and the relationship between creativity and mental illness is often misunderstood. In this upbeat, mini documentary, Dr. Mark Vonnegut talks about his mental health struggles, how art and creativity helped him in his journey, and why mental illness doesn't have to be a barrier to achievement.
THE DIAGNOSED: LIVING WITH BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER dir. Isabel Suckling | 29:58 min
The Diagnosed is a documentary about how the stigma around Borderline Personality Disorder can stop people from getting the help they need, often with devastating consequences. BPD is said to be one of the most distressing mental health conditions a person can have, but it's also one of the most stigmatized. In this film, reporter Cara Mooney investigates these stigmatizing attitudes, and the devastating impact they can have on the people who experience them.
WRITING THE WORLD BACKWARDS dir. Angela Robson | 7:24 min
Lorna Collins experienced a catastrophic brain injury at the age of 18 and spent the next 20 years going in and out of psychiatric hospitals, including the infamous Esquirrol asylum in Paris, subjected to humiliating treatment and assault, before art became her pathway to recovery from crippling anorexia. This film follows her evolution from comatose patient to flourishing artist, taking us on a journey into her darkly strange and cinematic imagination.
I AM dir. Ludovica Musumeci | 15 min
Gabi and her boyfriend are moving in together, an exciting step for their relationship. But she begins to unravel as she struggles to hide her battle living with schizophrenia unbeknownst to Mike. As their relationship begins to tear, and she has to make the call whether she can share her true self or not..
NICE TO MEET YOU ALL dir. Guen Moroni | 11:47 min
“Nice To Meet You All” is a celebration of a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder who has survived human trafficking rings in the US.
Program B: (4:00-7:00PM) Mental Health First Responders and Cultural Competency
STATION 1 dir. Grace Galletti and Jennifer Wiley | 8:04 min
Firefighters respond to critical medical calls, fires and mass casualty incidents. Over time however, being at the frontline of traumatic emergency responses takes a toll. Firefighters are five times more likely to suffer from PTSD than the general population. The Berkeley Fire Department is part of a growing movement using peer support to address this.
WHO AM I dir. Aubrey Shafer and Michael Schafer | 3:20 min
Mental health crises are all too real and yet often taboo for many first responders. Shafer, a firefighter and rapper, takes us into the mind of a firefighter and 16-year-old girl who are struggling, and shows us the ripple effects our actions have.
FACES AFTER SUICIDE dir. Lindsey Doolittle | 6:41 min
My husband died by suicide at our home and I found him. (TRIGGER WARNING) This documentary contains information about suicide which may be triggering to survivors. People who have lost someone to suicide will not only blame themselves, but are usually blamed by others. Supporting survivors can help break the cycle of stigma..
THE SHOT dir. John Mogor | 14:55 min
PenFed Credit Union’s Digital Team is making a difference by raising awareness of the stellate ganglion block or SGB. This 15-minute procedure is a game-changer, the difference between life and death for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We followed three patients' journey from suffering, through treatment and over a year into recovery. All three credit SGB with changing their lives.
BLACK GIRL, BLEU dir. Sharee Silerio | 30:11 min
A safe space where Black women reveal their struggles with mental health, including how the "Strong Black Woman" stereotype impacts their mental wellness and healing. This candid short doc features interviews with Black women who have or are currently experiencing a mental health crisis; insight from Black therapists regarding the particular mental health challenges Black women face; resources to cultivate healing and tools to identify self.
DIRTY LAUNDRY dir. Florence Hwang | 27:35 min
Kayla Mak Harrison aspires to become a filmmaker, but she faces additional stigma regarding her mental health. As a Chinese person, her culture dictates she must suppress emotions to achieve harmonious relationships at all costs. This documentary examines the roots of this deep-seated shame, how it affects family relations and its consequences on the individual and the community.
INSIDE MY HOUSE dir. William Andrews | 13:01 min
Following the stories of Alex and Shay, this documentary explores the childhood trauma that develops as a result of a parent's untreated mental illness.
MATT’S STORY dir. Paul Mailath | 6:34 min
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.