The Open Mind Film Festival 2023 is presented by The Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. The Friends is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living with mental health issues.
This third annual Open Mind Film Festival is open to high school students throughout the United States. We invite students to join the important conversation on mental health by submitting short films that highlight their experiences and concerns. Use your cell phone or video camera to create a short film to tell us your unique story.
The festival will be hosted by Bryan Greenberg, actor and filmmaker with multiple credits, including the TV series How to Make it in America and One Tree Hill, and the films The Perfect Score, Prime, Bride Wars and Friends with Benefits. Bryan made his directorial debut in 2022 with the film Junction.
Please email us at OpenMindFilmFest@gmail.com to ask any questions.
The Film Festival is scheduled for April 30, 2023. Selected films will be screened in a virtual format OR possibly at The James Bridges Theatre on the UCLA campus.
First Prize: $1,000
Second Prize: $600
Friends Choice Award: $400
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges which will include:
Zach Gottlieb, a high school student and the creator of @Talk with Zach, an Instagram platform for teen conversations. @TalkwithZach
Lauren Greenfield, an Emmy-award winning documentary filmmaker and the founder of the production company Girl Culture. @greenfield_lauren
AJ Mendez, a mental health activist, author of the New York Times bestseller Crazy is My SuperPower and co-author of the Netflix film Blade of the 47 Ronin. @theajmendez
Henry Platt, a singer based in New York City and a mental health advocate. @henryjplatt