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MHSA FILM FESTIVAL WHAT???
Get ready for a life-changing experience at the MHSA Film Festival on May 13th, 2023! Our annual festival showcases independent short films from around the world that address the important topics of mental health and suicide awareness/prevention. With film run times ranging from 3 minutes to 50 minutes, we have carefully curated a selection of 11 incredible films that are sure to leave a lasting impact.
Our mission is to start conversations around these often difficult topics and showcase them in a creative and inspiring way. We receive a multitude of submissions from all over the world and are always amazed by the quality of entries we receive. Our festival is a celebration of the power of film to raise awareness and create change.
During the festival, you'll have the opportunity to interact with the filmmakers and their crew as they answer live questions from the audience and host about their film and their inspiration for making it. Whether you choose to join us in person at the iconic Bug Theatre in Denver or virtually via Zoom, you'll be part of a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about mental health and suicide prevention.
Why should you attend the MHSA Film Festival? For starters, the films we showcase are truly amazing. You'll be exposed to a variety of perspectives and experiences that you may not have encountered before. Additionally, knowledge is power, and the more we talk about mental health and suicide prevention, the more we can create positive change in the world. Finally, you never know which film will make an impact on your life or the lives of those around you.
This year, we have limited tickets available due to venue capacity and virtual restrictions. Only 180 VIP tickets are available for in-person attendance and 100 virtual tickets are available via Zoom. The festival is open to those 13 and up due to the nature of the content, but we do encourage parents to have a conversation with their children after the festival to discuss any emotions or questions that may arise.
Don't miss out on this life-changing event! Grab your tickets now and check out this year's incredible lineup. You won't regret it, and you'll get to hang out with some pretty cool people too!
2024 Film Festival Info Coming Soon
Trailers for some of our incredible films this year
Check out the full lineup below...
Submissions for 2023 are CLOSED!!
We only take film submissions through Film Freeway and will open for next year sometime late summer to fall.
Sponsor this event:
Spotlight $250
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Small logo on BCC Evolution website for 1 year as a sponsor
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Small logo on marketing flyers for event ($50 value)
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Shout out at the festival
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1 VIP ticket ($45 value, In-person or Virtual)
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Opportunity to put a goody item or service to promote your business or self into the VIP swag bag
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Sooner you purchase the more exposure you will get. BCC Evolution is a 501c3 nonprofit. (All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law)
Star $500
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Medium logo on BCC Evolution website for 1 year as a sponsor
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Medium logo on marketing flyers and emails for event ($100 value)
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Shout out at the festival
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2 VIP tickets to event ($90 value, In-person or Virtual)
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Opportunity to put a goody item or service to promote your business or self into the VIP swag bag
-
Sooner you purchase the more exposure you will get. BCC Evolution is a 501c3 nonprofit. (All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law)
Leading Role $1,000
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Medium logo on BCC Evolution website for 1 year as a sponsor
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Medium logo and shout out on all marketing including flyers, emails, podcasts, lives, etc. for event ($150 value)
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2 shout outs during festival
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4 VIP tickets to event ($180 value, In-person or Virtual)
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Opportunity to put a goody item or service to promote your business or self into the VIP swag bag
-
Sooner you purchase the more exposure you will get. BCC Evolution is a 501c3 nonprofit. (All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law)
Award Winner $2,500
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Large logo on BCC Evolution website for 1 year as a sponsor
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Large logo and shout out on all marketing including flyers, emails, podcasts, shows, lives, FilmFreeway, etc. for event ($200 value)
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Multiple avenues of shout out during event
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Company recognition in media kit ($1000 value)
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Option for vendor booth at in-person event
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8 VIP tickets to event ($360 value, In-person or Virtual)
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Opportunity to put a goody item or service to promote your business or self into the VIP swag bag
-
Sooner you purchase the more exposure you will get. BCC Evolution is a 501c3 nonprofit. (All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law)
Scan the QR code for PayPal or Venmo pay based on the level you have chosen or reach out to support@bccevolution.org to initiate your sponsorship.








How was last year?
The MHSA Film Festival 2022 was a HUGE success. Thank you to all the brilliant filmmakers and their crew who submitted to the festival and also joined us live from all over the world for the Q&A sessions. We are so very thankful and blessed to have been able to share you films with the world. And thank you to those of you that joined us Live and/or watched after and voted for your favorite. Be sure to Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can hear the announcement for the winners and keep up to date about all things BCC Evolution.
Together let's Make Mental Health Matter!!
We picked 14 incredible films from all over the world and had 3 film makers attend the festival in person. Find out more about below.
Want to see the longer version, check out our YouTube Channel:
Film Lineup 2023
In order of showing

Love Shades
Overview: The film focuses on the epidemic of depression.
The daughter of a single father is diagnosed with depression. The Father’s perspective changes when he is offered a “Love Shades” -a pair of glasses that reveal the true emotion of the person whom you look at with the glasses on, However, it is not only the Father who finds clarity through the Love Shades. The pair of glasses have a surprise in store for the daughter too.
Film Block 1
Director
Writer
Producer
Key Cast
Country Originated
Pratick Paudel
Pratick Paudel
Stephanie Stan
Benett Berkowitz, Chiara Bertolasi
Sweden

Mirrors
Overview: The short film "Mirrors" by award-winning director Paul Jerndal is showing Anis don Demina, Cecilia von Der Esch and Danny Saucedo as they meet their mirror images and their worst self-critical thoughts. Mirrors aim to draw attention to mental health and the importance of daring to share feelings and thoughts.
Film Block 1
Director
Writer
Producer
Key Cast
Country Originated
Paul Jerndal
Paul Jerndal
Kim Nehzaty
Cecilia von der Esch, Danny Saucedo, Anis don Demina
Sweden

Both Sides of the Desk
Overview: A short documentary about two women with intensive trauma histories and the new approach to mental health treatment that led to healing and resilience. It is also the story of the pioneering women who are leading the way in advocating for Trauma Informed Care in Ohio.
Film Block 1
Director
Writer
Producer
Animation
Country Originated
Brian Plow
Brian Plow
Jennifer Schwirian
N/A
United States

The Days
Overview: In this emotional short film artist Sandro Cavazza (Aviciis friend) is having a conversation with himself about his emotions that led to ending his career as an artist.
Film Block 1
Director
Writer
Producer
Key Cast
Country Originated
Paul Jerndal
Paul Jerndal
Kim Nehzaty
Sandro Cavazza
Sweden

Passing Ships
Overview: Passing Ships is a short film on mental health and the prevalence of male suicide in the North East of England featuring a narrated poem voiced by Baz Warne (The Stranglers, The Toy Dolls) and an epilogue by Melanie Hill (Waterloo Road, Coronation Street).
Film Block 2
Director
Writer
Producer
Key Cast
Country Originated
John Lee Taggart
John Lee Taggart
John Lee Taggart
Baz Warne, Melanie Hill, Brandon Farrow, Jonny Coyne
United Kingdom

Under My Skin
Overview: Under My Skin is a documentary short film that uncovers the extraordinary physical, mental and emotional challenges faced by people living with eczema. The film follows three subjects who share their personal experiences with what can be a painful and unpredictable condition. In the film we follow Lanese, a single mom who took control of her own condition after seeing it affect her young daughter; Rob, who sought help from a dermatologist with encouragement from a loving girlfriend who saw the toll eczema was having on his emotional well-being; and Alexis, a young woman who discovered a supportive community after sharing her story on social media. As the film uncovers what is often unknown and misunderstood about this chronic disease, it shows that having the courage to seek help can turn a story of suffering into one of hope. Under My Skin was created by AbbVie in partnership with award-winning Redglass Pictures.
Film Block 2
Director
Writer
Producer
Key Cast
Country Originated
Sarah Klein, Tom Mason
Sarah Klein, Tom Mason
Heather Martino
N/A
United States

Beauty Behind The Madness
Overview: Georgia Sideris and Taylor Clara talk about their journeys with Borderline Personality Disorder and how they’ve unlocked deeply artistic parts of themselves through their experiences.
This documentary explores the theme of the creativity that lies behind the pre perceived darkness of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Film Block 2
Director
Writer
Producer
Key Cast
Country Originated
Stephanie Nicole Millar
Stephanie Nicole Millar
Kaleb Michael Carmichael
Taylor Clara, Georgia Sideris
Canada

Embrace ME
Overview: A young women is tasked to tap into her childhood trauma. When she is faced by her younger self, will she be able to embrace the pain of the past or will she continue to run away from it?
Repeat Film Maker 3 years
Film Block 2
Director
Writer
Producer
Key Cast
Country Originated
Megan Gladding, Angharad Gladding
Megan Gladding
Clare Gladding, Ian Gladding
Eden Moodie, Megan Gladding, Agnes Widfeldt, Amalia Calder, Paul Newborough
New Zealand

Emma's Recovery: Journey to Congress
Overview: While fighting an eating disorder herself, high school student and Children's Hospital Ambassador Emma Warford works with members of Congress to create preventative mental health laws.
Film Block 3
Director
Writer
Producer
Key Cast
Country Originated
Ella Daniel
Ella Daniel
Sam Record
Emma Warford, Zach Zaslow
Colorado

Falling Into the Abyss: the state of mental health in Colorado
Overview: As families continue to fall into an abyss after experiencing a mental health crisis, state-level legislation is attempting to create a mental health safety net for Coloradans.
Film Block 3
Director
Writer
Producer
Other
Country Originated
Elizabeth Costello
Elizabeth Costello
Shannon Umetani
Executive Producer: Mental Health Colorado
Colorado

Power of Expression
Overview: When singer-songwriter Jordan Lally lost his father to suicide, he knew he could no longer hide his own struggles with anxiety & depression. It was time for him and his bandmates in Big Infinite to get “real” and share their own mental health struggles with the world. The "Power of Expression" is an "unplugged" style music documentary that shares Big Infinite's healing journey and uplifting music, while providing inspiration and wellness techniques to help others find hope, purpose and healing.
Film Block 3
Director
Writer
Producer
Key Cast
Country Originated
Greg Dicharry, Jordan Lally
Jordan Lally
Jordan Lally, Greg Dicharry
Jordan Lally, DJ Fritzges, Andre Toney
United States

Our Incredible Host
An International Film Festival presented by BCC Evolution. We will all be showcasing 11 inspirational films that go through different journeys related to Mental Health and Suicide Awareness and how hope is what keeps us all going.