What to Watch at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2019
Posted by See Me, 25 April 2019
Now in its 13th year, the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) is one of Scotland's most diverse cultural events, covering everything from music, film and visual art to theatre, dance, and literature.
The annual festival takes place in venues across Scotland from 3-26 May 2019, aiming to support the arts and challenge preconceived ideas about mental health.
By engaging with artists, connecting with communities and forming collaborations, SMHAF celebrate the artistic achievements of people with experience of mental health issues, exploring the relationship between creativity and the mind, and promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.
Launched in 2007, SMHAF has grown into one of the largest festivals of its kind in the world, and we're proud to support them again for 2019.
As part of this year's festival SMHAF will feature a range of films exploring the theme of 'Connectedness' and the ways in which relationships, families and communities play in our lives - and our mental health.
But with so much going on choosing what to watch can be overwhelming. That's why we've put together a wee list of some of our top film picks for 2019. What's more, to make the festival more accessible many of this year's film are free to attend or are on a sliding scale ticket pricing where you can choose what you pay based on your circumstances.
- International Film Awards (Fri 3rd May)
On Friday 3rd May SMHAF will be holding their annual awards ceremony in Glasgow, and will welcome directors from across the glob as they celebrate the very best in mental health filmmaking. This year's we're delighted to be presenting the Anti-Stigma Award for film Evelyn. Join us to find out more about the award winning titles, what the films mean to those who made them and get a first look at what's coming up over the festival.
Read more here.
- We Are All Connected (Sat 4th May)
We Are All Connected is an opportunity to have a one-to-one conversation in a quiet space with some of the festival's award-winning filmmakers: Iain Cunningham, Hannah Currie, Victoria Thompson, José Carlos Teixeira and Aoise Tutty. Tickets are free, and you just need to book in advance.
Read more here.
- Family Shorts (Sat 4th May)
Aimed at engaging young minds in mental health matters, these short films explore wellbeing, worries and emotions in creative and colourful ways. The films will also be followed by an activity led by the Mental Health Foundation's Families, Children and Young People team.
Read more here.
- More Earth Will Fall (Sat 4th May)
Structural violence leads to personal trauma in this intimate documentary, which tells the story of a single family living in one of Rio’s largest favelas.
Read more here.
- Film at Flourish House (Sun 5th May)
Flourish House is a Clubhouse that enables people with mental health difficulties to gain a sense of wellbeing. AS part of this year's festival they'll be hosting a full day of film screenings on Sunday 5th May.
Find out what's screening here.
- Final Ascent (Mon 6th May & Mon 10th May) - Glasgow and Edinburgh
At the age of 84, renowned mountaineer Hamish MacInnes suffered from delirium after contracting an illness and emerged to find his memory gone. Piecing together his remarkable life using his books and films, this affecting documentary reflects his journey to recover his identity, representing his greatest challenge yet.
Read more here.
- An Artist's Eyes (Mon 13th May)
Filmed in London, New York and southern Spain, An Artist's Eyes provides a unique insight into the art world and a bittersweet meditation on the nature of creativity.
Read more here.