Film is powerful. Film has the power to break down barriers and allow people to tell stories of mental anguish and mental triumph. The Mental Health Warrior Film Festival celebrates films that tell those stories. It will also showcase films from fellow Mental Health Warriors who use the medium of film to tell their stories.

Awards & Prizes

I have decided that it is unfair to compete films against films for awards. If you have a film in our festival, you are already a winner and you will have a laurel you can put one your poster. As a person who has had films in a film festival I think awards and prizes can add a stress to the festival.

There are two Icon awards that this year celebrate outstanding performances in anxiety in film and television. The film award will go to Bill Murray for What About Bob and the television award will go to Tony Shalhoub for 8 seasons of Monk and Mr. Monk’s Last Case. The recipients have not yet RSVPd.

Rules & Terms

1). Must be at least 18 & older to submit your film. Any filmmakers under 18 will not be considered.
2). Submission doesn't mean admission. Not all those accepted will be playing on the big screen.
3). Costs for the submissions go towards the cost of the festival and the proceeds of the festival go to Camp Creatibility and The Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation’s Angel Fund
4). Sexually explicit sequences. bordering the pornographic, will not be accepted.
5). The film doesn't have to be 100% focused on mental health.
6). We welcome international entries but the entries MUST have English subtitles.
7). Shorts have to be under 35 minutes While features have to be a minimum of 75 minutes and a maximum of 120 minutes.
8). You, as the filmmaker, are responsible for all licenses and permits that pertain to your film. You will be asked to provide a release for said licenses as well.
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dale Campbell

    it was awesome! thank you so much for everything.

    July 2024
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  • David Leonard

    This was an amazing festival and I was extremely excited to be a part of its inaugural event! Max, the founder was very personable and welcoming and there was a great community of filmmakers that he brought together and it was a pleasure meeting everyone from near and afar. I also love the many different aspects of mental health that the selection of films touched on. It created a great balance of different perspectives that everyone would could learn about as well as relate to. I look forward to seeing this festival grow and I highly recommend this to other filmmakers that are considering taking part!

    May 2024
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  • Misa Butsuhara

    This film festival was amazing! From the meet-and-greet mixer the first night to the wonderful films that were screened the following day in the beautiful theatre, I had a great experience. Max, the festival founder, is so incredibly kind and he puts on a fest with MEANING! I also had the best time meeting and becoming friends with other filmmakers. I highly recommend and can't wait for next year's event!

    May 2024
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  • Olivia (Autumn) Rennie

    I had an absolutely FANTASTIC experience with the Mental Health Warrior Film Festival! From start to finish in the process, I felt valued, welcomed, and like part of the festival family. I was incredibly impressed by the communication, which was personalized and clearly understood what the film I submitted meant to me. At the festival itself, I had a wonderful time meeting the other filmmakers and attendees, watching the films, and getting to know everyone. The venue was great as well. No question - I would 100% recommend this festival and hope to attend again in future years! Thank you so much for the opportunity to take part :)

    May 2024
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