All the excitement of a glitzy and glamorous Hollywood premiere could be found at GBH Studios in Boston on Saturday, March 15, as Vinfen proudly welcomed nearly 400 filmgoers to the 18^th Annual Film Festival.

Vinfen’s signature event uses the power of film to raise awareness, educate our community, and fight prejudice and discrimination often faced by people who have mental health conditions, intellectual, developmental, and/or physical disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges.

Attendees enjoyed screenings of three feature documentaries, Being Michelle, The Great Depresh, and The Ride Ahead, and a selection of short documentary and narrative films, including Roads to Recovery, Vince: The Punctual Vagrant, and Jelly Brain.

Each screening was followed by thought-provoking and inspiring panel discussions, featuring clinical professionals, filmmakers and individuals with lived experience.

Audiences were moved by Being Michelle, the powerful story of 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 endured and to help build a new life of healing and independence. Viewers of The Ride Ahead watched the documentary’s star Samuel Habib seek out guidance from disability activists on how to live an independent life as a disabled adult, followed by a panel discussion where they met some remarkable local young adults forging their own paths.

We were also thrilled to welcome Massachusetts native and acclaimed comedian Gary Gulman, star of The Great Depresh, the brave, honest, and often hilarious documentary/stand-up concert detailing Gary’s journey as a person with depression. Gary’s participation in the post-film discussion session was standing room only, and a highlight of the afternoon.

The care and treatment of individuals with substance use disorder and brain injuries was the central topic of discussion following the afternoon’s short films collection, featuring filmmakers Phil Vaughn, Laurie Branchaud, Sarah Falkiner, and Mike Green, alongside Vinfen’s own Vice President of Developmental and Brain Injury Services Sandy Schultz. 

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the response to this year’s Film Festival,” said David Brown, vice president of development and communications for Vinfen. “We were thrilled to have so many members of the extended Vinfen community joining us—from individuals served by our programs and representatives of our amazing hard-working staff, to human service clinicians who were able to advance their professional development, to film enthusiasts just looking to see some really exceptional films. There was something for everyone, and the energy at the event was inclusive and inspiring—everyone who attended had the opportunity to learn and to share their own experiences in a safe and welcoming environment.”

All of us at Vinfen sincerely thank all who attended, our phenomenal partner and host GBH, our amazing guest panelists and moderators, volunteers, and especially our sponsors, whose generosity and support makes the Film Festival possible. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!