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.
HISTORY:
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.
MISSION:
Believe Psychology Film Festival aims to promote films and screenplays that include dynamics of psychology and portrays them with honesty and compassion. 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 the human capacity.
HYBRID APPROACH:
The pandemic changed the world and subsequently changed the production of artistic festivals. In the last year, festivals have adjusted by shifting from in-person to online screenings. We have had success with the online platform and yet cannot deny the value and specialness of live in-person events. For this season, we have decided to offer both live in-person and online screenings within a hybrid model.
To be clear, THIS EVENT IS A LIVE IN-PERSON EVENT that will offer official selected films an opportunity to ALSO be screened online if interested but not required. Live shows are often limited by theater space. We aim to utilize the lack of restriction in the online platform by inviting all the films that are eligible. Therefore, there will be some official selection films that are invited to be screened online only. However, all films that are officially selected are eligible for awards in their category. Take note of the Grand Prize Award categories that includes premium prizes and gifts.
AWARD- GRAND PRIZE
Films that demonstrate exemplary representation of the overall mission of the festival will receive a Grand Prize Award. Films are welcome to submit in this category. Films can be any film type (short, documentary, feature, etc). *** Please note: Films are eligible to win Grand Prize Awards ONLY if you submit in the 5 Film Grand Prize Categories. You have 5x chances to win! Please note: This category is for FILMS only.
Film Grand Prize Award categories include:
Best Resiliency & Hope
Best Compassionate & Honest
Best Diversity
Best Spreading Awareness
Best Cinematically Captivating
Film Grand Prize Awards include:
- an engraved CRYSTAL trophy announcing your winner status (see pics above).
- 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
AWARD- SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT
Films that demonstrate exemplary representation of themes related to psychology will receive a Special Achievement Award.
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
AWARD- SCREENPLAY
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 Grand Prize Award includes:
- an engraved CRYSTAL trophy announcing your winner status (see pics above).
- an official Award Certificate and Laurel from Believe Psychology Film Festival
- a feature on Believe Psychology Film Festival website and social media pages
Screenplay Elite Prize Award includes:
- an official Award Certificate and Laurel from Believe Psychology Film Festival
- a feature on Believe Psychology Film Festival website and social media pages