Don’t forget—tomorrow, 10/15, Mental Filmness will host its first LIVE event since 2019!
We launched the virtual festival in 2020 for reasons you can probably guess, and it’s probably here to stay because its expanded our reach. However, we are very excited to be live and in person again tomorrow evening at the lovely historic Davis Theater in Lincoln Square, at 7:00 p.m., in our home base of Chicago.
As much as I’d like the take credit for it, I did not create the mental health film festival. In fact, I’ve been told several exist, the most well-known probably being the Reel Recovery festival, which partners with NAMI and has been running for fourteen years. However, I can always claim—and usually do—that we were the first in Chicago (I think). Chicago is a beautiful and vibrant city with, like most large cities, its fair share of mental health issues. It is my hope that some of these films can touch people in my hometown.
After: A Love Story screens at 7:00 p.m. This short film shows scenes of a couple coping with the aftermath of a traumatic event without explicitly showing or describing the event. It’s unusual to just see the “after” and that’s what gives it a unique, understated grace. Actress/writer/producer Alyssa Thordarson will be in attendance to discuss the film.
A Story Worth Living will begin at 8:00 p.m. Vanessa Leonard has been touring the festival circuit with this relatable film about a young college student with a family history of depression and the challenges she faces. Director/writer/actress Vanessa Leonard will be in attendance to discuss the film. This event has been years in the making—Vanessa has kept in touch with Mental Filmness since 2019 hoping to eventually have an opportunity to visit Chicago. She only wanted to show her film if she could be present for it, and now it will finally happen.
If you happen to be in the Chicago area please join us, it will truly be something special.
Mental Filmness 