The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF), led by the Mental Health Foundation, is one of the world’s largest social justice festivals. It reaches tens of thousands of people across Scotland each year, featuring film, music, performing arts, literature, visual arts and creative workshops.

Now in its 19th year, SMHAF calls on filmmakers to submit films addressing mental health and the various ways this can be understood or reflected. SMHAF is renowned for championing work by filmmakers with lived experience of mental health problems, exploring how film can challenge stigma and perceptions, and raising awareness about the links between inequalities and mental health.

We invite films that draw attention to personal stories and raise awareness about specific mental health problems, but we also welcome innovative and diverse perspectives on mental health and wellbeing. Films produced in collaboration with communities affected by mental health problems, and by first-time or aspiring filmmakers are also welcome.

Each year, our programme includes a diverse range of feature films, shorts programmes, Q&As, talks and workshops. Our main venue is CCA: Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow, but we also work with cinemas and community venues in Glasgow and across Scotland.

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) will return from 20 October to 9 November, exploring the theme ‘Comfort & Disturb’. The main screening programme in Glasgow will be from 6 to 9 November but submitted titles may also be considered for additional dates and locations during the festival.

Awards & Prizes

All films submitted to the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival will be eligible to win a prize at the international film awards.

The winning films will be selected by a panel, comprised of people with backgrounds in film, in mental health, or both. All winning films will be screened during the festival and honoured at our annual ceremony.

Previous award winners include: SILENT MEN (Duncan Cowles, 2024), THIS WEREWOLF COMPLEX (Heather E Andrews, 2024), TOO ROUGH (Sean Lìonadh, 2022), JUDY VERSUS CAPITALISM (Mike Hoolboom, 2020), THAT JOKE ISN’T FUNNY ANYMORE (Hannah Currie, 2019), EVELYN (Orlando Von Einsiedel, 2018), IRENE’S GHOST (Iain Cunningham, 2018), SUMMER, 1993 (Carla Simón, 2017), BECOMING CARY GRANT (Mark Kidel, 2017), and A FAMILY AFFAIR (Tom Fassaert, 2015).

Work by first-time filmmakers, emerging directors, and community organisations are also regularly recognised at our awards ceremony. Please see our website for full details of past award winners.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Films of any length, genre or style are eligible for submission.

2. Only films completed after 1st January 2022 will be considered.

3. Films previously submitted to the festival will not be considered. It is the submitter's responsibility to ensure that films have not been submitted to the festival before.

4. Non-English language films must be provided with English language subtitles.

5. Films submitted must relate to mental health or wellbeing in a meaningful way or be made by a filmmaker with lived experience of mental health problems. If this is not clear from the film, overview or director’s statement, please explain why it is relevant to this festival in a brief covering letter to support your submission. Submissions from filmmakers with lived experience are particularly welcome.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

1. All submitted work must be original, and the submitter must either have festival rights to the film or permission to submit it.

2. All films submitted must have full festival clearance, including written consent/contracts where appropriate for individuals identifiable within the film (paid or unpaid), full musical clearance and third-party clearance. It is also the responsibility of the person submitting the film to ensure that any necessary agreements are in place and valid prior to submission. By submitting a film, the person doing so guarantees that all required permissions have been obtained.

3. The festival is led by the Mental Health Foundation, a registered charity in the UK (www.mentalhealth.org.uk). Registered Charity No. England and Wales 801130, Scotland SC 039714. The Mental Health Foundation's registered office is Studio 2, 197 Long Ln, London SE1 4PD.

SUBMISSION FEES

4. There is a standard submission fee of £10 for short films (under 40 minutes) and £15 for mid-length and feature films (over 40 minutes). This fee helps us to cover the cost of running the competition. Submission fees are non-refundable.

5. We are happy to waive the submission fee for filmmakers who would otherwise find it difficult to submit – no questions will be asked about your circumstances. Please get in touch at smhaf@mentalhealth.org.uk to request a waiver code and include a brief description of your film so we can confirm it meets eligibility criteria.

6. Discounts may be provided for multiple submissions at the discretion of the festival. Discounted entry must be requested before the films have been submitted.

SCREENING MATERIALS

7. If your film is selected, a high-quality digital screening copy of the film will be requested. The specification may vary depending on the exhibition venue/space and will be confirmed upon selection. We cannot pay for screening copy costs or shipping to the festival, but we will cover return. We cannot accept or assume responsibility in the event of loss or damage of screening materials.

8. Please make us aware of any descriptive subtitles, audio description files, and any other materials related to cinema accessibility that are/will be available for your film. Accessibility, including for d/Deaf and hard of hearing audiences, is important to us.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

9. If your film is selected, we may utilise clips, trailers, high resolution still images, and descriptive text, in order to publicise the festival and related events. Submission of an entry form is considered granting the festival permission to do so. Clips, images and marketing copy will be requested, created or downloaded from FilmFreeway.

INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS

10. If your film is shortlisted for an award, it will be viewed privately by members of the International Film Awards jury before the festival screening as part of the selection process. The jury is comprised of film and mental health professionals.

DECISIONS

11. Decisions made by the festival programming team and International Film Awards jury are final. These will be communicated to the submitter using the contact details provided by the notification date.

12. The programming team will not comment or provide feedback on individual submissions, or explain reasons for a film not being selected.

28 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Value
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  • Blair Stewart

    An outstanding festival experience, both as a filmmaker and as a fan. The event was impeccably organised, and the staff were warm and welcoming from start to finish. Simply excellent!

    November 2024
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  • Tianhui Wu

    It is a great festival with diverse film programmes and exhibitions to explore! I'm very honoured to take part in the festival with my documentary, and the Q&A after the screening which sparked so many interesting discussions. The team at the film festival are very supportive, I really enjoy the time here, meeting new people and enjoying films!

    November 2024
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  • Elina Bry

    I’m truly overwhelmed by the incredible experience I had at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. The team was exceptionally supportive, ensuring everyone’s needs were met and showing real passion for their work. I’m grateful for this opportunity to amplify voices that are rarely heard. My team felt welcomed and free from stigma, which, sadly, isn’t always the case. The discussions during the Q&As were powerful, filled with thoughtful topics and genuine care. This is exactly what we need—a safe space to share and witness difficult subjects within our community.

    October 2024
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  • Sophie van Bree

    I had an incredible experience at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. The films were thoughtfully curated, each selection engaging deeply with complex and crucial topics. The staff's genuine enthusiasm and dedication created an atmosphere that was warm and welcoming, refreshingly honest and creative. I felt honored to have my documentary piece screened here, among many talented filmmakers. Beyond the films, the festival offered various activities, including an immersive exhibition space where you could escape into another world. The festival felt like a rare, refreshing mental health sanctuary.

    Everything about the festival was crafted with care, from the loving attention of hosts and staff members like Lauren, who were always present and supportive, to inspiring conversations with other filmmakers. This festival was a true celebration of mental health awareness and creativity. We’ll be back for more!

    October 2024
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  • DUNCAN COWLES

    Excellent festival, very supportive, good screenings, and great for meeting new people.

    October 2024
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