MINDSACPES Great Lakes Mental Health Film Festival October 2026

We are currently accepting submissions for the 2026 Mental Health Film Festival 

Qualifying films can have been produced anytime and MUST meet one or all of the following criteria:

Provides an inspiring voice for social justice and human rights for people with mental illness

Highlights positive contributions made by mental health recipients

Fights stigma and defies stereotypes associated with mental illness

Shares real-life stories of people with mental health concerns

Submitted films may be of any length and genre – documentaries, features, and shorts.

This Is My Brave Australia Inc. is a registered charity and NFP dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness one story at a time.
Through our events we present stories of lived experience of mental illness in an effort to promote a national conversation around mental health.

Entries now open!

Awards & Prizes

TIMBA/TGLMHFF Award (Overall film judged best in festival)

Human Rights Award
(The film that is judged the best at being an inspiring voice for social justice and human rights)

Lived Experience Award
(Best film produced by someone with lived experience of mental illness)

Stop Stigma Award
(The film that best fights discrimination and stigma)

Mental Health Hero Award
(Portrays an individual or organisation who are doing great work in the area of mental health)

Rules & Terms

All films MUST follow the following rules.

Provides an inspiring voice for social justice and human rights for people with mental illness

Highlights positive contributions made by mental health recipients

Fights stigma and defies stereotypes associated with mental illness

Shares real-life stories of people with mental health concerns

Submitted films may be of any length and genre – documentaries, features, and shorts.

Films must be in English or have English sub titles

Any length film is permissable for main festival

See the Mindframe guide for portrayal of mental illness for screen as we will use the guidelines to inform us.

http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-media/reporting-suicide
19 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • CONOR O MAHONY

    Many thanks for including The Mood Swings in your program. It was great to get the opportunity to spread our anti-stigma message. The work you do at your festival on behalf of people with mental health issues is so important. Keep it up!

    November 2025
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  • Lisa Brickell

    Thanks so much for screening our film ‘Unlatched’ at this festival. It was a wonderful festival full of insightful, inspiring films all aimed at reducing stigma around mental health. We are so glad to have been there and had the opportunity to talk with the audience about the film. Very well organised and in such a beautiful location.

    October 2025
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  • Judith Peterson

    Thank you accepting our film DOnt PAnic into the festival.
    Its a great way of getting the message out regrding mental health.
    Always a pleasure to be involved.
    The Allycat Productions Team

    October 2024
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  • Angel Constantinou

    Excellent communication and such an inspirational festival. Thank you for selecting ‘Boy’ the movie.

    October 2024
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  • Heloise Magny

    Thank you for selecting "Keep Painting, Mom" at your festival, it was a great honor for all the team!! Keep up the great work

    November 2022
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