Welcome to Believe Psychology Film Festival and Screenwriting Contest! Make your mark on the history of cinema by including your film or screenplay in a celebration of movies and stories influenced by psychology.

Psychology has been a part of the film industry since the 1930s-1940s. As the field of psychology became popular in the United States, Hollywood began producing a large number of psychological movies reflecting both psychopathy (mental illness) and the healing effects of psychology (mental health) in people’s lives. Today, the topic of psychology and mental health has received national attention and movies reflecting psychology are needed for widespread distribution.

Both internationally and within the US, we find filmmakers, directors, writers and producers like yourself contributing your vision of how psychology influences modern day storylines.

Believe Psychology Film Festival aims to promote films and screenplays that include dynamics of psychology. We are looking for films and scripts that address, depict, represent, tell the story, show, highlight, teach, expose, explore, offer guidance, celebrate and/or raise awareness about topics related to psychology.

Themes of psychology are varied and multifaceted. It is not limited to stories labeled mental health or mental illness. It includes stories of everyday life. Psychology movies tell stories of joy, disappointment, triumph, loss, perseverance, hardship, and growth while exploring the complexities of interpersonal relationships. We are looking for stories that capture a peek into the lives of their characters and expose viewers to their unique perspective.

The path to reducing stigma toward the field of psychology is to increase the number of stories being told that are influenced by psychological themes and to do so with compassion and honesty. We invite filmmakers and screenwriters to share their artistic contributions and inspire a world to a deeper understanding of human capacity.

Please note: This event is planned to be a live in-person event. If COVID-19 closures continue to prevent large gatherings in public places in 2021, we will notify you of alternative options.

No fee waivers will be given for this year's event.

Awards & Prizes

Films that demonstrate exemplary representation of the overall mission of the festival will receive a Grand Prize Award.

Film Grand Prize Award categories include:
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Animation Film

Film Grand Prize Awards include:
- an engraved trophy announcing your winner status
- an official Award Certificate and Laurel from Believe Psychology Film Festival
- a feature on Believe Psychology Film Festival website and social media pages
- Free (2) two hours of Psychological Consultation by a Licensed Psychologist for your current or next project

Films that demonstrate exemplary representation of themes related to psychology will receive a Special Achievement Award.

Film Special Achievement Award categories include:
Best Director
Best Actor/Actress/Performer
Best Depression/Grief
Best Anxiety
Best Trauma
Best Caregiver
Best Therapy/Therapist
Best Parenting
Best Psychosis
Best Healing/Recovery
Best Relationships
Best Body Image
Best Identity/ Diversity/ Cultural
Best Mental Health Promotion
Best Hope/ Happiness/ Positivity

Film Prizes for Special Achievement Awards include:
- an official Award Certificate and Laurel from Believe Psychology Film Festival
- a feature on Believe Psychology Film Festival website and social media pages
- cash, amounts vary dependent on category and sponsorship
- gift certificates, amounts vary dependent on category and sponsorship
- more prizes to be announced

Screenplays that demonstrate exemplary representation of the overall mission of the festival will receive a Grand Prize Award (1st place) and an Elite Prize Award (2nd place).

Screenplay Award categories include:

Best Psychology Screenplay- 1st Place- Grand Prize Award
Best Psychology Screenplay- 2nd Place- Elite Prize Award

Screenplay Prize Awards include:
- an official Award Certificate and Laurel from Believe Psychology Film Festival
- a feature on Believe Psychology Film Festival website and social media pages
- the ability to proudly announce that you are "an award winning writer"
- A free Inktip Script Listing where hundreds of reps and producers can find your contest-winning script
- A screenwriting book highlighting the integration of psychology and screenwriting.

Rules & Terms

Please review the following agreements necessary to participate in Believe Psychology Film Festival and Screenwriting Contest.

-You agree that you own the rights of your film and screenplay.
-You agree that the submitted film and screenplay will be in either English or have English subtitles.
-You agree that your submission will bear a nonrefundable entry fee.
-You agree that your submission is an original work.
-You agree to monitor FilmFreeway for the status of your submission.
-You agree to indemnify and hold harmless us, our officers, affiliates, sponsors, and partners from any and all claims and liability arising out of entering or transmitting your submission to the Believe Psychology Film Festival.
-You agree to grant Believe Psychology Film Festival the right to use the title, synopsis, poster, thumbnail and trailer of your submission for advertisement purposes, including using of those materials on Believe Psychology's website and social medias.

Believe Psychology Film Festival does NOT accept the following:
-Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations.
-Pornography.

Requirements:
- Film submissions must be available to view through FilmFreeway's online screening interface.
- Screenplays should include a brief synopsis, list of characters and be in a PDF format.
- Grand prize winners that receive a trophy are strongly encouraged to be present at the award ceremony to receive their awards. However, those not present will need to provide shipping information and pay postage for all awards that are shipped internationally (this includes customs charges).

* By submitting your film or screenplay, take note that:
- Submitter will be given credit for all material submitted as it is their own intellectual property and will remain so.
-Submitter agrees they have read and understood all the terms and conditions, rules and guidelines before submitting a project.
- Official Selection Nominees to the festival will receive 1 COMPLIMENTARY admission to their BPFF screening.

10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alexis Sarmiento

    Thank you very much for screening my film!! And thank you very much for the awards - I didn't expect them at all. I believe it's important to spread awareness and educate people on mental health, and this film festival does just that in a deep and meaningful way.

    October 2020
    Helpful
  • Scott D Clark

    An amazing festival run by amazing people. An honor to have been selected.

    September 2020
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  • Radheya Jegatheva

    so thankful to have been part of this !! wonderful fest

    July 2020
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  • Tatiane Feres

    What a wonderful experience!
    Dr Damond and her team were highly committed from beginning to end and the communication was flawless.
    The films selected were outstanding, truly engaging and we felt incredibly honoured for our film One And Other to be awarded at the festival.
    Thanks so much for making the festival happen despite challenging times and I hope to join you again in the future.

    July 2020
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  • DOC Farrow

    I would recommend wholeheartedly to track, pay attention to, and support this festival. In the middle of COVID, and they still didn't skip a beat. It was truly amazing to watch so much talented work. The love and care that was shining through Dr. Damond, and her staff to make sure that our work would be seen was evident and palpable. Thank you so much again for having us be apart of this wonderful festival!

    July 2020
    Helpful