The 4-6-3 Foundation is so excited to announce “Shine the Light”: The Midwest Mental Health Film Festival. We are inviting students and young adults from across the region to break the silence around mental health and suicide through the art of storytelling. Submissions will premiere in a public screening on May 2nd and be eligible for a cash prize of up to $1,000!

Prizes will be given for the top three films from both the college and high school categories. The People's Choice Award will be given to a single film from either category, voted on during the screening.


To enter as a High School Student, you must meet these requirements:

- You must be enrolled in high school (grades 8-12) and your school must be located in North Dakota or Minnesota
- You must have an adult advisor, such as a principal, teacher, or counselor.
- Your submission must be up to 90 seconds long.
- Your film must align with one of the following themes:

Stand Up to Stress: Whether or not we live with a diagnosed mental health condition, each and every one of us experiences stress. It impacts our physical and mental health, education, work, and relationships. Use your film to share the importance of practicing self care and stress management strategies.

You’re Not Alone: When living with mental illness, it can be easy to feel like you are the only person in the world who understands your pain. Use your film to highlight the prevalence of mental illness in our community and our world, and to encourage those suffering in silence to seek support from a friend, counselor, or trusted adult.

To enter as a College Student or Young Adult, you must meet these requirements:

- You must be be enrolled in a college, university, or technical school in North Dakota or Minnesota.
- Your submission must be any length under 3 minutes.
- Your film must align with one of the following themes:

Speak Up to Save a Life: Research shows that 60-80 percent of young people tell a friend that they are thinking about suicide, but less than 25 percent of those friends go on to seek help for that person. Use your film to educate young people about what to do if someone they know is struggling, like seeking help from a trusted adult or calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Watch For the Warnings: Every one of us has the power to save a life, but first, we must recognize the signs that someone is suffering. Use your film to educate audiences on the warning signs of suicide, and more importantly, what to do if they see one or more of these signs in someone they know.