Gary Gulman: The Great Depresh (Feature Film)
Massachusetts-born comedian Gary Gulman offers candid reflections on his struggles with depression, interspersing stand-up comedy and documentary interludes that provide insight into his mental health journey.
Being Michelle (Feature Film)
An award-winning feature-length documentary film about a deaf woman living with autism and mental health challenges who survived incarceration and abuse, and who now uses her artwork to depict the trauma she survived and heal from her past.
The Ride Ahead (Feature Film)
Like many 21-year-olds, Samuel Habib wants to date, leave home, and go to college. But he drives a 350-pound wheelchair, uses a communication device, and can have a seizure at any moment. Determined to find his path forward, he seeks out guidance from America’s most rebellious disability activists. Will they empower him to launch the bold adult life he craves?
Roads to Recovery (Short Film)
Substance use disorder is embedded in nearly every New England community. Roads to Recovery – Overdose and Brain Injury looks at one of the lesser-known effects of overdose – anoxic brain injury. Through the personal stories of survivors of overdose, the film looks at what happens to the brain during and after an event and how it can affect treatment and recovery.
Vince: The Punctual Vagrant (Short Film)
Sarah Falkiner‘s short drama offers a raw exploration of urban homelessness through the lens of Vince (Mike Green) and his makeshift family of fellow homeless individuals, George (Arch Harmon) and Cindy (Adria Dawn). The narrative delves into their daily struggles, highlighting the lack of societal support and respect they receive and the barriers they face in living with mental health challenges and addiction.
Jelly Brain (Short Film)
Following a devastating traumatic brain injury, Debra was thrown into a new twisted reality she did not understand. Through the unwavering love of her family, Debra will attempt to accept the implications of her injury, search for hope and unearth a new her as a person and a mother.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Registration
12:30 PM
Welcome and opening remarks from Vinfen President & CEO Jean Yang and Donna Danielewski of WGBH
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Feature Film: Being Michelle, followed by panel discussion, in the Calderwood Studio
Feature Film: The Ride Ahead, followed by panel discussion, in the Yawkey Theater
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Break
3:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Feature Film: The Great Depresh, followed by panel discussion, in the Calderwood Studio
Dr. Peggy Johnson, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Vinfen (Moderator)
Short Films: Roads to Recovery, Vince: The Punctual Vagrant, and Jelly Brain, followed by panel discussion, in the Yawkey Theater
Sandy Schultz, LICSW, Vice President of Specialized Services for Vinfen, and Princess Alston, LMHC, CADC, Director of Substance Use, Vinfen (Moderators)
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Post-event Reception in the Fraser Performance Center (separate reception ticket required). After the films and panels are through, please join us for delicious passed hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, and a chance to mix, mingle and network with filmmakers and members of the Vinfen and human services community.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
Applications are being submitted with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), The Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association (MaMHCA), and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services/LADC Unit to provide four (4) Continuing Education (CE) credits.
QUESTIONS ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY?
The Vinfen Film Festival is an open and inclusive event. If you are an individual with a disability and have questions about accessibility or requests for special accommodations, please contact us at [email protected].
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Benefits include:
- 8 tickets to the film festival
- Full-page sponsorship ad and logo placement in the program book
- Listing on event invitation
- Logo featured on Vinfen’s website and displayed throughout GBH studios
- Shout out on social media posts
- Special recognition from Vinfen President & CEO Jean Yang during open remarks
- 30-second promotional video showcasing your brand at the beginning of a film (sponsor provided)
Benefits include:
- 8 tickets to the film festival
- Full-page sponsorship ad and logo placement in the program book
- Listing on event invitation
- Logo featured on Vinfen’s website and displayed throughout GBH studios
- Shout out on social media posts
- Special recognition from Vinfen President & CEO Jean Yang during open remarks
Benefits include:
- 4 tickets to the film festival
- Half-page sponsorship ad and logo placement in the program book
- Listing on event invitation
- Logo featured on Vinfen’s website and displayed throughout GBH studios
- Shout out on social media posts
Benefits include:
- 4 tickets to the film festival
- Half-page sponsorship ad and logo placement in the program book
- Listing on event invitation
- Logo featured on Vinfen’s website and displayed on-screen at GBH studios
- Shout out on social media posts
Benefits include:
- 2 tickets to the film festival
- Quarter-page sponsorship ad and logo placement in the program book
- Listing on event invitation
- Logo featured on Vinfen’s website
Benefits include:
- 2 tickets to the film festival
- Logo placement in the program book
- Listing on event invitation
- Logo featured on Vinfen’s website
THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT SPONSORS
Community Friends for Human Services
ESTAR AL DÍA
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