Mental Filmness is a Chicago-based film festival showcasing films about mental health. The festival is dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health by sharing stories and promoting empathy for those who live with a chronic mental health disorder or those who have experienced a mental health issue.

We are especially interested in challenging stereotypes, showing different perspectives, and informing and enlightening the general public about mental health.

We define “mental health” as a broad umbrella that encompasses any issue related to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, or our overall mental fitness.

Mental Filmness is now a hybrid festival, with live screenings hosted in Chicago and virtual screenings hosted by the Eventive platform. Both parts of the festival begin on or around World Mental Health Day on October 10; the virtual festival is typically open for streaming throughout the month of October.

Selection of your film ensures it a place in our virtual festival. We will be able to screen a limited number of films in Chicago and that could be a possibility as well, though not guaranteed.

Awards & Prizes

Our festival gives out awards based on some of our objectives. There will be a Stigma Breaker award for the film we feel most effectively battles the stigma of mental illness. There will be a Realism Award for the film we feel most realistically depicts its condition. There will be an Empathy Award for the film that we feel best promotes empathy for mental illness. There will be no cash value for these awards--but you can say that you are an award winner and add some nice laurels to your media!

Rules & Terms

All films submitted must have some depiction of mental health within them. All films must depict mental health in a respectful and empathetic way.
30 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Catalina Kulczar

    It was an honor to have Daisy show alongside so many other films that talk about mental health. Thank you Sharon!

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Hello Catalina,

    Daisy is a powerful and vulnerable film. Our jury was deeply moved by it, and we were so excited to get the chance to screen it. Thank you for bringing these important issues of generational trauma, suicide, and the impact of cold water swimming on mental health to a larger audience. I truly hope that more people get to see this film outside of our modest-sized platform, and that it keeps generating conversation. Thank you for opening up and making it and best of luck!

  • Jacob Bittens

    Mental Filmness is an incredible film festival with a vital mission! A huge thank you to Sharon Gissy for running the show, and I'm honored to have been part of the 2024 slate!

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Jacob, and thank you for making such a powerful short that begs to be a provocative opening film, even given its disturbing and haunting nature. Its independent spirit and unique take on depression epitomize what this festival is all about. I truly hope more people get to see this, in its brief runtime it gives a very authentic and realistic depiction of intrusive thoughts that you just don't usually see on screen, but that is very vital to the conversation.

  • Jennie Jarvis

    A great festival that I wish I could have been more involved with. They reached out about participating, but sadly, a hurricane and then a family emergency kept me from being able to take them up on their offer. They are doing important work!

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Jennie! I'm so sorry to hear that you had those emergencies to deal with, but health comes first and maybe we will have a chance to connect in the future. I think Committed showed a very important perspective on psychiatric commitment that is rarely seen, which is how difficult it is for the caregiver to make that decision. It's probably not something that everyone would understand, but I hope it gets seen more for that reason. Your work is important and the reason we're here is to showcase works like this!

  • Oliver Granillo

    It was great to be able to share my project with this festival, I loved the in-person and virtual format. I am infinitely grateful for the Stigma Breaker Award. Many thanks to Sharon Gissy for her attention and kindness.

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Hi Oliver, thank you so much for making and submitting A Silent Scream. I know that was probably not an easy film to make but I think it did say something incredibly powerful about depression and men's mental health, and I'm glad our audience recognized that. It seems like it has a lot of potential to reach those who are silently struggling, and I hope more people get to see it.

  • Laura Lewis-Barr

    A really delightful festival, so glad it was local and I could attend with other local filmmakers. Thank you Sharon for your passion for film and mental health.

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Hi Laura,

    Thank you, and it was a delight to meet you and to learn about your work. That is one of the things I love about this festival, I never would have known there was such an interesting (literally underground) filmmaker making stop-motion movies in their basement in Chicago! We were blessed with a bevy of local talent this year, and I hope that continues, and we can perhaps work together in the future. The unique animation style and focus on positive, proactive physical solutions to mental health really helped your film stand out.