Short film competition to convey positive mental health message launched
A nationwide short-film competition, calling on students and aspiring filmmakers across Ireland to submit short films or TikTok videos that convey a positive mental health message, tackle mental health stereotypes or challenge stigma has been launched and aims to put mental health in the spotlight through short, shareable and inspiring film content.
First launched in 2014 by Walk in My Shoes, the flagship awareness-raising campaign of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, the Frame of Mind short-film competition returns for its seventh year with a new category that challenges hopeful entrants to create an uplifting mental health film in 60 seconds or less. Entrants can also submit short films of up to three minutes or less.
With data showing significant numbers of people using social media apps such as TikTok on a daily basis across Ireland, the competition aims to leverage the power and reach of social media to bring positive mental health to the fore while also breaking down mental health misconceptions through content that is both accessible and impactful.
The categories for this year’s competition are:
- Secondary School / TikTok
- Secondary School / Short-Film
- General / TikTok
- General / Short-Film
Entries will be judged on originality, artistic quality and message interpretation, with shortlisted films judged by an expert judging panel who will select the overall winners. This year’s judging panel comprises:
- Industry expert and RTÉ Guide Movies editor, Michael Doherty
- Former service user of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services and film buff, Sean Fitzpatrick
- Director of Services at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Tom Maher
- Director of Communications and Advocacy at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Tamara Nolan.
Speaking about the competition, Sean Fitzpatrick, one of this year’s judges and former service user of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, said: “I am delighted to be on the judging panel again for this year’s Frame of Mind competition.
"Having acted as Frame of Mind judge for a number of years, it’s always amazing to see the high calibre of entries, which tackle many important issues and raise awareness of the importance of good mental health.
"As someone who has experienced mental health difficulties, films and cinema became a vital part of my recovery strategy and form part of something I like to call the three Fs - film, football and friends – all of which I rely on as a way to look after my own mental health.
"Cinema and film have proven to be a lifeline for me in times of difficulty and I hope that, through this competition, others will take time to discover the power of film and its ability to highlight pertinent issues, while also bringing joy and hopefulness.”
Tamara Nolan, director of Communications and Advocacy at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, said: “Frame of Mind is one of Walk in My Shoes’ most popular initiatives, and each year we receive significant numbers of uplifting entries from schools and the public that challenge mental health stigma and convey positive, hopeful messages.
"The Frame of Mind short-film competition is all about harnessing the ability that a good film can have to inspire people and to spark conversations about mental health. By challenging entrants to keep their films to three minutes or less, we hope to be able to share valuable mental health awareness-raising content that is compelling and that has the power to reach as many people as possible.”
Entries for Frame of Mind are now open and must be submitted by 5pm on Friday, 4 February, 2022. Each category will have a first-place winner who will receive a cash prize of €1,000 and a second-place winner who will receive €500.
In the secondary school categories, first and second place prizes will be made payable to the school, with each participating student also receiving a small prize. An awards ceremony announcing the winners will be held towards the end of February 2022.
For more details and terms and conditions for this year’s competition, visit https://www.walkinmyshoes.ie/campaigns/frame-of-mind. You can look back on previous winning entries to the competition https://www.walkinmyshoes.ie/campaigns/frame-of-mind/previous-winners.