The 5th annual Open Mind Film Festival will take place on Sunday, showcasing 13 films selected from over 300 submissions. The top three films will be awarded prizes, with the first-place winner receiving $1,500, according to festival founder and co-chair Mia Silverman. The free event is hosted by The Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, an organization dedicated to mental health education and supporting UCLA’s Semel Institute.
Open Mind is specifically designed for teenagers, aiming to foster conversations about mental health among young people, particularly as youth mental health issues rise. “We wanted to start the conversation at an earlier age,” Silverman said. “If we can help teens understand that it’s okay to ask for help, we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.” The festival provides an opportunity for teens to share their stories and engage in this important dialogue.
Films submitted for the festival had to be under five minutes long and focus on youth mental health, with no specific prompt given, Silverman explained. One of the finalists, Tomas Officer, created Feeling Good, which follows a teenager named Maile struggling with substance abuse. Officer emphasized the importance of the open-ended nature of the festival, allowing for greater creativity in the films. Having witnessed youth mental health struggles firsthand, he feels strongly about starting conversations around addiction. He described the festival as welcoming and inclusive, providing an opportunity to shine a light on a topic that needs attention.
Actress and judge Sarah Gilman, who has a background in mental health advocacy, explained that film is a powerful tool for raising awareness. “Movies shape people’s expectations of adulthood, and the themes in them can influence how teens view their own lives,” Gilman said. She added that addressing mental health in film helps normalize the topic, breaking the isolation that often accompanies these issues. “Talking about mental health openly can actually help alleviate the pressure teens feel,” she said, countering the misconception that discussing sensitive topics like suicide might encourage them.
The officer also stressed the importance of youth voices in mental health discussions. “No one understands teen struggles better than other teens,” he said. Older generations often make assumptions about teenage emotions, which can miss the mark. Silverman agreed, noting that the festival was created to provide a platform for young people to share their experiences, especially in light of rising mental health concerns among teens.
Gilman highlighted the significance of high school as a time for learning to express and manage emotions. As the brain develops during this stage, teenagers become highly sensitive to how others perceive them, which can lead to struggles that carry on throughout their lives. “Without proper tools to express and manage emotions, teens may turn to destructive coping mechanisms,” Gilman explained. She sees the Open Mind Film Festival as a chance for teens to gain valuable skills for their futures.
Officer encouraged others to participate in the festival. “It gives you a voice,” he said. “It helps you share your experiences and can change people’s lives.” The festival aims to create a space where teens can understand their emotions, feel seen, and appreciate the efforts of their peers in addressing these important issues.
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