The Lift The Mask Film Festival Guide

The Lift the Mask Film Festival presented by The Quell Foundation invites filmmakers to share original short films exploring mental health, resilience, and the stories we don’t always share. We welcome films that illuminate vulnerability and healing, identity and pressure, isolation and connection, breakdown and breakthrough moments, or any lived experience that shapes how we understand ourselves and others. Submissions should approach the subject with care and respect: helping to normalize honest conversations and reduce the stigma through storytelling. Your story matters.

MISSION:

-Films should be: An accurate representation of the mental health challenge and/or impact on others. Empowering or inspiring of hope. Submissions may include difficult themes, but must avoid sensationalism or exploitation, and must represent the subject of mental health with care and respect.

-The films must be in alignment with The Quell Foundation mission: The Quell Foundation’s mission is to reduce the stigma of mental illness by encouraging open dialogue and increasing pathways to support, training, and education – empowering individuals and communities to achieve mental wellness.

By submitting your short film, you grant The Quell Foundation the right to use and re-purpose your work for social media and future exhibitions. This is intended solely to amplify your film and support The Quell Foundation's mission. We will not own or sell your submitted work. You will also become part of our visual storytellers' network. Please note that we require the ability to download your submitted short films. If you need assistance with this, please contact us at film@thequellfoundation.org.

Awards & Prizes

Impact Award:

Honors the film that most powerfully reflects The Quell Foundation’s mission to reduce the stigma of mental illness through empathy, honesty, and hope. This award recognizes a storyteller whose work makes a lasting emotional impact; illuminating lived experience and inspiring meaningful change in how we talk about mental health.

Audience Choice Award:

Chosen by our festival community, this award celebrates the film that most deeply connects with viewers. Whether through emotion, creativity, or authenticity, the Audience Choice winner reflects the shared heartbeat of the festival; reminding us that every story has the power to bring people together.

Best Student Film Award:

Recognizes an exceptional film created by a student filmmaker whose work demonstrates artistic promise, thoughtful representation, and a genuine commitment to mental health awareness. This award celebrates emerging voices shaping the future of compassionate storytelling.

Winners of each category and their guest will be invited to The Riviera Theater (Charleston, SC) for a November 6, 2026 showcase of their film, with recognition, followed by an exclusive premiere of The Quell Foundation’s 3rd documentary. Winners and their guest will also be invited to attend the Foundation’s exclusive annual gala on November 7, 2026.

Additional prize packages (TBA) may be awarded to the winners in these categories.

Rules & Terms

Lift The Mask Film Festival Rules & Regulations

Technical:

-Films must be under 30 minutes. Any medium or genre is acceptable.

-AI content is not eligible.

-Before submission, you must ensure that all necessary rights are completely cleared.

-If a film includes potentially triggering material, filmmakers may be asked to provide a content advisory for audiences.

-Please note, we will require the ability to download your submitted short films (please let us know at film@thequellfoundation.org if you need help with this). By submitting your work, you grant The Lift the Mask Film Festival Presented by The Quell Foundation the right to re-purpose and use your film for social media or future exhibitions. You also will join our network of visual storytellers. This use is intended to amplify your work and support The Quell Foundation’s mission. We will not own or sell your submitted work.

-Submissions sent via email will be disregarded.

-Applying to our film festival will also add your name to our newsletter contact list.

-Must be 18 years or older to submit.

Fees:

-All submission fees are final and non-refundable, even in the event of a film withdrawal.

-We are able to offer some submission fee waivers. A limited number may be available to those with demonstrated needs, by contacting film@thequellfoundation.org. Availability is not guaranteed.