In conjunction with the Mental Health Aid Association (Nyawa)’s charity film screening, Layar Perak 2.0, My Mind on Film (MMOF) has officially launched its third season (MMOF2023) at GSC Starling Mall. MMOF is a youth-led international film festival that is dedicated to mental health, from the lens of young individuals.
A collaboration between the Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing (CMHW) of HELP University, the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA), and Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), the annual youth mental health film festival MMOF aims to continue inspiring and promoting expression, understanding, and stigma reduction of mental health in the local Malaysian context, drawing from the voices of the youth. MMOF 2023’s theme is ‘Revival’; focused on post-pandemic stories as well as taking a holistic approach to mental health.
“MMOF is an empowering initiative that lets youths share their stories and experiences through movies to show us how they bounce back and revive during these challenging times,” said Bashir Bashardoost, director of MMOF2023 and Deputy Head of the Psychology Department at HELP University.
This year’s edition of MMOF welcomes teenagers and young adults aged between 15-25 to submit films that express their personal experiences and perspectives of mental health.
Film-submission Categories:
- Malaysian Young Adults (aged 18 to 25)
- Malaysian High Schoolers (aged 15 and above)
- International Young Adults (aged 18 to 25)
Submission Criteria:
- Film length: 1-8 minutes
- Submission closing date: 12th March 2023
- Make your submissions to: FilmFreeway (https://filmfreeway.com/mymindonfilm)
*For the full submission criteria, please visit this link.
In support of MMOF2023, there will also a number of activities including film-making and mental health workshops as well as roadshows, leading up to the announcement of winners and screening of finalist films during the Awards Presentation Ceremony, which will be announced at a later date.
“As Malaysia’s leading cinema exhibitor, we have the responsibility to be a force for good, using our voice and platform to effect positive change in the world. Film is a powerful medium to connect and communicate with audiences effectively, and we believe it can best champion mental health, breaking the stigma and encouraging open conversations around the subject. We’re happy to have the full support of like-minded partners in continuing this initiative that stands to change lives, while inspiring the youth to push their creative boundaries and tell highly powerful and impactful stories with MMOF2023,” said Koh Mei Lee, Chief Executive Officer, GSC.
Winners stand a chance to walk away with up to RM10,000 in cash prizes, as well as internship opportunities with Naluri, a digital healthcare provider that aims to empower users with the provision of holistic, interdisciplinary care. A Grand Prize exclusive to the Young Adult category rewards winners a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to produce a fully-funded mental health public service announcement (valued at RM30,000), which will be supported by GSC, and screened in their theatres nationwide.
MMOF2021 winner, Ahmad Shah Ahmad Shahrifuddin said: “My Mind On Film changed my life, providing me many opportunities since my participation. The opportunity to shoot a PSA with GSC has been one of the best and most challenging experiences in my life so far, embarking on a journey spanning over seven months in production. I look forward to seeing the final public service announcement on the big screen and hope it will inspire a new generation of filmmakers to tell their personal stories of mental health to audiences.”
As part of Layar Perak 2.0, a curated showcase of Malaysian and international mental health-themed short films were screened to members of the public and several prominent figures in mental health and film. Some of the Malaysian short films that were featured included ‘Dear Kakak’ (MMOF2021 Finalist and Award Winner), ‘Can You Love Me Most’, and ‘A Bowl of Soup’.
The first physical launch for the MMOF festival and Layar Perak 2.0 was attended by over 180 individuals, which subsequently raised over RM2,800 for Nyawa’s Inisiatif Menyantuni 4.0, which aims to provide accessible mental health care for the underprivileged Orang Asli community.
Please reach out to MMOF at mymindonfilm.my@gmail.com for more information on the My Mind on Film Festival 2023.
MMOF 2023 Trailer: https://youtu.be/VDcoBxZhQWw
