Welcome to Believe Psychology Film Festival! Make your mark on the history of cinema by including your film in a celebration of movies 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, movies reflecting psychology has become increasingly widespread.

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

Our ultimate hope in celebrating movies influenced by psychology is to reduce the stigma of mental illness by increasing the world’s exposure to mental healing.

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

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.

Awards & Prizes

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

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

Grand Prize Awards include:
- an engraved plaque 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.

Special Achievement Award categories include:
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

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
- gift certificates, amounts vary dependent on category
- more prizes to be announced

Rules & Terms

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

-You agree that you own the rights of your film.
-You agree that the submitted film will be in either English or have English subtitles.
-You agree that you 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, 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.
-Films which were made before 2010.
-Scripts (well not yet, we're working on it)

Requirements:
- Submissions must be available to view through FilmFreeway's online screening interface.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • 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
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  • Cydney Cochrane

    Blessed to be apart of this wonderful festival. Mental health is such an important topic and it means the world that my film 'Short Stay' was acknowledged and appreciated. Fantastic communication, quick responses and respectful! Loved this experience!

    July 2020
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  • Scott Kovacs

    I highly recommend this excellent festival. It has a great mission and is organized by equally wonderful people! Dr. Damond and her dedicated team (big shout out to Linh!) organized and hosted an amazing inaugural event!

    Communication at every phase was clear and timely. Due to COVID-19, and concerns about holding the event in person (as was initially intended), the festival transitioned very effectively to a 2 day virtual stream event on xerb.tv. With ample time before the event, filmmakers were given the option to participate in this year’s online stream or take part in next year’s (presumably) live in-person festival. Filmmakers were also ensured their films would be safeguarded from any unauthorized downloads or viewing.

    In many ways the virtual event exceeded expectations. The Q&A’s held on Zoom after each themed block allowed for in-depth discussion about the films presented and created opportunities for lively open discussions, private chats, and networking. The awards event was fun as well and we are honored and grateful that our film DAVID received a special achievement award for its representation of psychosis.

    With Dr. Damond’s strong vision and dedication to the festival’s mission, I believe the future of this festival is very bright.

    July 2020
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