Local filmmakers win award in mental health film competition

ASPIRING filmmakers gathered in St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin, recently for an awards ceremony to announce winners of a short film competition.

This year’s Walk in My Shoes’ annual Frame of Mind competition, which aims to promote mental health awareness through film, saw 20 entries shortlisted across two categories; General and Secondary School.

Participants were invited to produce an original short film, up to three minutes long, which they believe challenges stigma or highlights the importance of positive mental health.

On the night, Fergus Keane took home first place in the General category with his film ‘Stereo Self-Talk’, while Niamh O’Connor’s ‘Two-Faced’ was named as runner-up.

In the Secondary School category, Loreto College Crumlin, scooped the top prize with ‘Rise Up’, and Templeogue College came in as runners-up with ‘With You in a Heartbeat’.

The first place winner of each category received a cash prize of €1,000, with runners-up each receiving €500.

The judging panel included award-winning actress, Jordanne Jones; RTÉ Guide Film Editor, Michael Doherty; Chair of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services’ Service User and Supporters Council (SUAS), Sean Fitzpatrick; and Director of Services at St Patrick’s, Tom Maher.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Metal Heart star, Jordanne Jones, said: “I was honoured to be part of this year’s judging panel for such a meaningful mental health awareness-raising initiative from Walk in My Shoes.

“Film is a very powerful, creative outlet and it’s empowering to see so many filmmakers here today to share their encouraging and affirming messages of positive mental health, while also challenging mental health stigma.”

Sean Fitzpatrick, a former service user of St Patrick’s and Chair of SUAS, also spoke about how film can shed a new light on mental health for both audiences and filmmakers themselves.

“Film can transport us to other worlds or give us new perspectives on the one around us and, for me, it is a vital part of my mental health recovery,” he said.

“Exploring mental health through film plays an important role in tackling the misconceptions often surrounding mental health difficulties, as well as providing an opportunity to consider their understanding of positive mental health,” he added.