CONGRATULATIONS!! 
TO OUR 2020 BPFF GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
SAVED ROUNDS- BEST SHORT
IMPRISONED- BEST ANIMATION
UNSTUCK: AN OCD KIDS MOVIE- BEST DOCUMENTARY

VIP ALL ACCESS PASS

DAY 1 & Day 2
VIP All Access Pass includes films with themes of PARENTING, CAREGIVING, ANXIETY, TRAUMA, DEPRESSION, PSYCHOSIS, MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION, IDENTITY, RELATIONSHIPS, BODY IMAGE, THERAPY/THERAPIST, HEALING, RECOVERY.

Block A

Day 1
​11:00am- 1:30pm PDT
The films shown in Block A will have common psychology themes of PARENTING, CAREGIVING.

Block B

Day 1
​2:30pm- 5:00pm PDT
The films shown in Block B will have common psychology themes of ANXIETY, TRAUMA.

Block C

DAY 1
​6:00pm- 8:30pm PDT
The films shown in Block C will have the common psychology themes of DEPRESSION/ GRIEF, PSYCHOSIS.

Block D

DAY 2
​11:00am- 1:30pm PDT
The films shown in Block D will have the common psychology themes of MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION, IDENTITY, BODY IMAGE, RELATIONSHIPS

Block E

DAY 2
2:30pm- 5:00pm PDT
The films shown in Block E will have the common psychology themes of THERAPY/THERAPIST, HEALING/RECOVERY.
​

Day 1: June 25, 2020

Block A: Parenting

Block A: 11:00am- 1:30pm PDT

Propolis, PART 7​
​2min, 40sec/ 2018/ English/ USA
Directed by Patricia Beckmann Wells
​
A hallucinogenic journey begins with the sting of a bee in this series. Liz journeys with her family through the environmental apocalypse, where the insects band together to rid the world of humans. Episode 7: Monsters reside in all of us for a reason. Liz and Beaux are a sister and brother, trapped in a closet as punishment by an alcoholic mother, but escape means they must face a far more nefarious world outside the doors of the closet.

No More Mommies and Daddies
9min, 28sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Tamara Farsadi

A young girl haunted by the guilt and shame that she couldn't save her family turns to self-harm. An edgy film that deals with broken homes, body image and other issues many people face in today’s world.

Bad Mother
11min, 24sec/ 2019/ English/ UK
Directed by Marnie Baxter, Nicola Stuart-Hill
 
An unnerving drama about motherhood. Based on the true story of a mother at the end of her tether who finds understanding and solace from a stranger on the beach. But is she right to trust this woman, another mother, with the care of her children? Bad Mother explores the struggles of motherhood, questioning our relationship with strangers in this modern world, and how we judge each other as mums.

Tommy
19min, 19sec/ 2020/ English/ USA
Directed by Scott Dale


TOMMY is the emotionally-charged story of a young boy and his imaginary friend caught in the middle of a nasty custody battle. He escapes his trauma by entering his dream-like world set inside a submarine, but as the feud between his parents reaches boiling point, both worlds collide.

Block A: Caregiving

Block A: 11:00am- 1:30pm PDT

The First Responder
27min, 05sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Rajan Gangahar

The film follows the story of Sam, a heroic EMT veteran beset by inner turmoil. Sam exhibits symptoms of PTSD as it starts to affect his household, employment and his mental state. Haunted by an incident involving a young child, Sam’s deepening depression manifests in his drinking, anti-social behavior, irritability with co-workers and the growing distance from his wife. Machismo prevents him from acting on his condition until a directive from his boss sends an unwilling Sam to a therapy session. Sam’s courage in finally facing his inner fears illustrates the possibility of a new and more positive future. Hundreds of thousands of professionals as well as everyday people suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, yet only a small percentage of those with symptoms ever seek assistance. 

Seeping blue
13min, 05sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Deja Gordon
 
A suicide prevention hotline worker ends up receiving help from the other end of the line.

Skogafoss
10min, 00sec/ 2019/ Dutch/ Iceland
Directed by Niels Bourgonje
 
While on vacation with his girlfriend, Gijs receives a phone call from his mother, that reveals her troubled mental state and their complex relationship.

​The Absent Carer
9min, 16sec/ 2019/ English/ UK
Directed by Laetitia Cazaux
 
Caroline, a middle-aged emotionally detached carer goes through the day on auto-pilot. When she makes a mistake and breaks a plate, her disabled elderly patient, Olivia, reaches out to her, seeing her distress. When Olivia gets Caroline to tell her a joke and explodes in laughter, the serious carer realizes the importance of human interaction. She then decides to re-build a bond with her ill bed-ridden mother.

We Live Until We Die
13min, 19sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Brooke Mailhior

​Hospice facilities aren’t where our family go to die, we strive to live our lives to the fullest until we die. We share Dorothy’s incredible fight and flight into her heart.

Block B: Anxiety

Block B: 2:30pm- 5:00pm PDT

​A Cloud on Fire
15min, 00sec/ 2019/ English/ Germany
Directed by Julie Gaston
 
Anxiety is keenly felt within today’s hyperreal world. Increasingly, humans are disconnected. A Cloud on Fire is an experimental reflection on the subjective sensation of anxiety, its different dimensions, and absurd proportions. - an experimental documentary.

IMPRISONED
2min, 44sec/ 2019/ English/ UK
Directed by Alexis Sarmiento
 
IMPRISONED is a 3D CGI animated film that illustrates the relationship of a person and their anxiety. Being held captive in their room, the person struggles against their anxiety who does everything they can to prevent them from reaching the door. However, when the two begin to understand each other’s feelings, their bond begins to change.

Out of Mind
12min, 00sec/ 2019/ English/Armenian/ USA
Directed by Tigran Nersisian
 
Out of Mind follows the story of a young Armenian man's struggle with depression and anxiety disorder worsened by the stigma around mental illness in his family and the community.

The Sky is Falling
5min, 53sec/ 2019/ English/ AU
Directed by Scott D Clark & Frank Souter
 
A young woman struggles with the reality of hypochondria and the toll it is taking on her life.

Block B: Trauma

Block B: 2:30pm- 5:00pm PDT

FakeD
22min, 44sec/ 2019/ Indonesian/ Indonesia
Directed by Andri Sofyansyah, Kristo Parinters Makur
 
A young mother has Postpartum Depression (PPD) that makes her fail to produce breast milk for her baby. Then, she decided to do hypnotherapy process, which then reveals her traumatic experience when she was in the 4th grade. He was sexually abused by her music teacher.

The 5th Room
20min, 00sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Candace Patrick
 
A tragic accident led a woman to isolate herself inside her home for several years. She has built a community inside her home, but when a young child is in danger just outside her front door, she is forced to decide if she will break free or stay locked inside forever.

Play
13min, 00sec/ 2018/ Polish/ Poland
Directed by Piotr Sulkowski
 
A man consumed by guilt because he did not dare to defend his mother, plays the role of a murderer and forces his ten-year-old self to face his original trauma...

Roses for Ms. Jacobs
18min, 18sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by David Legel, Andy Aguila
 
A young man, seeking maternal guidance, finds himself a victim of sexual assault, later forced to confront his abuser once he learns of her sudden death.

​Block C: Depression/Grief

Block C: 6:00pm- 8:30pm PDT

Saved Rounds
17min, 13sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by John Finn
​
Drawn from the writer Doc Farrow’s experiences as a US Navy combat Corpsman in Iraq, SAVED ROUNDS looks at the devastating pain of loss, survivor’s guilt, the redeeming qualities of love and honor, and the fragile glimmer of hope in those whose lives are forever changed by war. Saved Rounds follows former Navy Corpsman “Doc” who hasn’t forgiven himself for not being able to save his Marines. Having been discharged from the Military for some time, living with his immense survivor’s guilt, he is now an active alcoholic who has even attempted to end it all. Then he is visited by Rod, one of his fallen Marines who cannot pass to the afterlife until Doc honors the commitment he made to Rod on his deathbed -- to deliver a message and gift to his family. Saved Rounds begins as Doc takes the steps toward fulfilling this promise. As he embarks on this journey with the only woman who’s ever understood him, Doc faces his deepest fears, most challenging obstacles and freedom for them all to find peace.

Short Stay
27min, 00sec/ 2019/ English/ CAN
Directed by Cydney Cochrane
 
A young man who is about to attempt suicide for the 11th time in his life is taken on an up and down journey by the voices in his head.

Daffodil
16min, 50sec/ 2019/ English/ Hong Kong
Directed by Nicola Fan
 
A trip through the psyche of an apathetic workaholic in the sudden wake of her estranged mother's death.

Block C: Psychosis

Block C: 6:00pm- 8:30pm PDT

DAVID
29min, 59sec/ 2018/ English/ USA
Directed by Scott Kovacs
 
For David, a young man living with schizophrenia, the ordinary challenges of daily life are complicated by the interference of auditory hallucinations and delusions. When David discovers that his abusive father has been released from prison, he must bravely face his demons or destroy the progress he’s made.

when skies are grey
13min, 26sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Lucas Ruderman
 
An introverted young woman with a damaging past, Rosalie has lived with her inner fears guiding her until she meets James, her first love. Rosalie appears to be on a path toward healing, but her relationship with James has her face the tragic moments that have shaped who she's become.

Forget Me Nots
12min, 55sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Daniel Marcha
​
In the wake of their parents' untimely death, twin brother and sister, Lucy and Leo, must re-evaluate their relationship or risk losing one another forever. Inspired by true events, this psych thriller/drama explores mental health through the lens of a Filipino American family and dives deeper into a world of reality, imagination, empathy and provocation. After Leo starts exhibiting strange and oddly supernatural behavior, Lucy is left with the decision to seek outside help or follow her brother into an erratic world of uncertainty.

Day 2: JUNE 26, 2020

Block D: Mental Health Promotion

Block D: 11:00am- 1:30pm PDT

One and Other
1min, 47sec/ 2019/ English/ UK
Directed by Tatiane Feres
​
Shot on the grounds of what was once a hospital, built in 1916 to treat injured servicemen, this short film aims to challenge the stigma and discrimination held towards those of us who live with the challenges of a mental health diagnosis. The film is inspired by the possibility that, despite our many differences, our personal struggles could be what unites us rather than separates us. A powerful idea at a time of social and political uncertainty, particularly within the United Kingdom.

Big Boys Don’t Cry
2min, 36sec/ 2018/ English/ Ireland
Directed by Joe Byrne
 
Big Boys Don’t Cry is a spoken word piece written and directed by Joe Byrne. Its aim is to tackle some of the ideas of what it means to be a man in society today, by going straight in and dismantling the commonly used phrase “Big Boys Don’t Cry”. Its main objective is to smash the false idea and belief that men and boys should not show emotion, or by in doing so you are somehow weak or inadequate. It touches on subjects such as suicide, loneliness, isolation and the social conditioning that`s shaping the generations of males now growing up amongst us. It is a call to action for men to open up and not to be afraid to express themselves freely.
It is estimated that in 2015 in the UK and Ireland alone there were 6,639 suicides and of those 4,997 were males.

Many Generations, One Conversation
8min, 40sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Sunce Franicevic
 
Many Generations, One Conversation is a short film about families who share their own experiences, misperceptions and views on teen mental health. These cross generational conversations address cultural norms and provide guidance to families navigating their own mental health challenges.

iRony
7min, 53sec/ 2018/ English/ AU
Directed by Radheya Jegatheva
​
A film that explores the relationship between man and technology...told from the perspective of a phone. Variously described as an Animation, an Experimental Film, a Narrative, a Documentary or a Film-Poem depending on who you speak to, this hand drawn animated film is based on the poem 'Seven Billion' written by the film director that won 2 National poetry awards: The Young Australian Writer’s National Award for Poetry, selected out of a field of 30,000 and the Karen W Treanor Poetry Award (Youth).

Block D: Identity

​Block D: 11:00am- 1:30pm PDT

Odd Bird
8min, 45sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Katy Dore
​
As a boy, Clark always felt like the odd bird in his conservative ranch family. To cope, he created a comic book, “The Adventures of Odd Bird,” making himself the hero of his own story. Now 19, a publisher is interested in his work and Clark needs to return home to get the comic manuscript…and tell his mom his truth. Clark fears once he tells her he’s gay, he won’t be welcome there again.

Reticent: ‘Cause Black Boys Can’t Cry
18min, 35sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Antwon Lindsey
 
A Short Film on Black Male Youth Mental Health in Urban America.

DICKMORPHIA
10min, 00sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by John Miller
 
An Erotic Artist destroys his final piece.

Block D: Body Image

Block D: 11:00am- 1:30pm PDT

Nil by Mouth
3min, 35sec/ 2017/ English/ AU
Directed by Kaye Tuckerman
 
Nil by Mouth is an experimental short based by New York Based, Australian writer/director Kaye Tuckerman. Based on her personal experience with Anorexia, and her struggle with body image and beauty as dictated by contemporary western society and the media. Nil by Mouth explores the notion of beautiful, sexualized, objectified, healthy imagery, juxtaposed with harsh, cruel, unhealthy broken language. There is a belief that an anorexics relationship to body image will remain dysmorphic for years after they are 'well'. In this experimental short, the protagonist attempts to understand this life long battle and trajectory. (*please note, there is nudity in this film).

You Look Great
26min, 05sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Justin Andrew Davis
 
After secretly struggling with his weight for years, Peter's body shame pushes him further than ever before in pursuit of complete control. Using dark comedy, You Look Great is an unflinching, intimate look into our addictions, obsessions, and self-consciousness. Our narrative follows Peter -- an everyday guy struggling with his weight -- over the course of 24 hours, offering a realistic insight into a strangely unrepresented story: that of a man fighting to hide his unhealthy relationship with his body.

Block D: Relationships

Block D: 11:00am- 1:30pm PDT

Trish
8min, 30sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Charlotte Grady
 
A scheming woman in Los Angeles seeks revenge on a bully from her past.

Somewhere Else
15min, 24sec/ 2019/ Dutch/ Netherlands
Directed by Jouke van Til
 
When Nick has the feeling his girlfriend Rachel is hiding things from him, he starts an inner search to find clarity. His memories of her give him comfort, but also confront him with hidden uncertainty.

Maria
5min, 45sec, 2019, English, USA
​Directed by Robert Burns​

A young college student with an anxiety disorder goes on an awkward blind date. As things begin to flounder quickly, he realizes only he can turn things around.

Q&A:   Block D:   1:30pm PDT​

Block E: Therapy/Therapist

Block E: 2:30pm- 5:00pm PDT

It’s Time for Tea
9min, 42sec/ 2018/ English/ USA
Directed by Matthew J. Kaplan
 
After the death of their young daughter, all that remains in Rebecca and Allen’s home is an extensive toy collection and profound grief. Both are attempting to process their loss: Rebecca chooses to repress her pain, while Allen regresses to their child's age in order to replace her. When an unconventional therapist visits with them, he assures Rebecca he can bring her husband back. But first, she must enter into Allen’s land of make-believe.

​Time(s) To Breathe
3min, 09sec/ 2019/ English/ Switzerland
Directed by Stan Adard
​
It is about the breath. And about thoughts. It is not about how to control your thoughts, but all about to stop your thoughts controlling you. We walk through our life, childhood, teenage years, years in which we earn money and raise our children and eventually we enter the serenity of age. That said, it is about birth and death as well. Time(s) To Breathe takes the attentive viewer/listener on a journey, at the end of which his condition should have changed: he breathes calmer and more consciously. An exciting animated film that directly involves the viewer/listener.

Fifty
18min, 25sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Javier Dampierre
 
A world-renowned psychiatrist is put to the test when a mysterious patient reveals his true identity.

Block E: Healing/Recovery

​Block E: 2:30pm- 5:00pm PDT

RAW
26min, 46sec/ 2019/ English/ USA
Directed by Laurel Adler
 
“RAW” chronicles the journey of a young woman’s struggle to reverse her descent into addiction and crime. Heather Nicole Lesser invites the viewer into an unvarnished picture of her life as an addict, as a criminal, and as a woman caught in an abusive situation. Her stories can be uncomfortable to the watch and hear, but at the same time, one can’t turn away from this searing and honest self-account.

The Star of Therapy
25min, 00sec, 2019/ English/ CAN
Directed by Bryce Iwaschuk 

When Kendra is admitted into group therapy, she becomes overly competitive about completing her weekly goals.

Unstuck: An OCD Kids Movie
22min, 40sec, 2019/ English/ US
Directed by Kelly Anderson

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often viewed as a minor annoyance, or  even something useful. To uncover what OCD is, and what it isn’t, UNSTUCK focuses on an unlikely group of experts: kids. The film avoids sensationalizing compulsions and obsessions, and instead reveals the complexity of a disorder that affects both the brain and behavior. As these six resilient kids and teens roadmap their process of recovery, the film inspires the viewer to believe it is possible to fight your worst fears.

BELIEVE PSYCHOLOGY
FILM FESTIVAL

AWARD CEREMONY

JUNE 26, 2020
7:00PM- 9:00PM (PDT)

Commonly Asked Questions
To BPFF 2020

1) What? When? Where? Why?

Believe Psychology Film Festival is a 2-day event on June 25-26, 2020 that screens psychology movies on an online platform to celebrate films that explore themes of psychology with compassion and accuracy.

2) What Believe Psychology Film Festival different from other festivals?

This is a festival where two worlds intersect, the film industry and mental health professionals. It is designed to create a unique opportunity to connect and stimulate dialogue. It allows exploration of how themes of psychology influence filmmaking and how psychology films affect audiences’ exposure to mental health. Our vision in celebrating psychology movies is to reduce the stigma of mental illness by increasing the world’s exposure to mental healing.

3) Who is your festival for?

​We welcome everyone, both movie lovers and psychology lovers! We hope to attract filmmakers, psychology students, professional psychologists, mental health providers, psychology organizations, psychology schools, high school psychology professors, psychology graduate schools, film & entertainment industry leaders, film students, actors, directors, producers, investors, talent agents and you!!

4) What are the movies about?

Each movie selected is an example of how filmmakers combine storytelling with an inclusion of psychological themes without compromising its entertainment value.
The festival’s schedule is divided into 5 Blocks.
Block A will feature films with themes of Parenting and Caregiving
Block B will feature films with themes of Anxiety and Trauma
Block C will feature films with themes of Depression/ Grief and Psychosis
Block D will feature films with themes of Mental Health Promotion, Identity, Body Image, and Relationships
Block E will feature films with themes of Therapy/Therapist and Healing/Recovery

5) How do I purchase tickets?

Tickets can be purchased directly from https://xerb.tv/channel/believepsychologyfilmfestival/virtual-events. We offer VIP ALL ACCESS PASSES (click "Get Passes") that includes tickets to all 5 Blocks and single tickets to each individual Film Block A, B, C, D or E (Click on the Film Block you prefer).

6) What if I want to exchange my tickets?

If you bought a ticket to the wrong Block, we can happily exchange your tickets as long as it is in advance of a screening. Simply email [email protected].

7) How long do I have to watch the movies in my Block?

Tickets purchased for each individual Block are good for 2.5hrs after the official viewing start time. The total time of movies are an estimate of 2.0hrs. That means you have extra time to go to the bathroom, take a break, grab a bite and re-watch your favorite. Also, it means attendees share a collective viewing experience similar to watching the films live.

​8) Where can I watch the movies?

We are screening online using the streaming platform, Xerb.tv, so you can watch the films in your living room, kitchen, back yard or bathroom, you pick. If you purchased your ticket from FilmFreeway or Eventbrite, you will be emailed an access code, follow the link to register to Xerb.tv.  When you click on "Register", it will take you through setting up a user account, then will automatically take you to a Redeem button. After redeeming your ticket or pass, you will receive an email automatically with information about how your ticket or pass works and how to use it to get tickets for the Film Block you requested. If you purchased a ticket or pass directly from Xerb.tv, click the "Watch Now" button to start the show. So grab your phone, tablet, or computer and enjoy.

9) How do I get involved?

We are already looking forward to next year’s festival and hope to grow with our featured films and offered more educational value to attendees. If you would like to volunteer, sponsor, donate or contribute ideas and/or resources to our programming, join us by contacting Dr. Damond at [email protected].

​​10) What do I stay connected with the festival?

We invite all attendees to keep updated on our exciting developments throughout the year by joining us across our social media platforms. You may keep the conversation going by engaging with fellow attendees, offer commentary on your experience with us or let us know what amazing projects you have going on. Follow us on fb: @believepsychologyfilmfestival, twitter: @believefilmfest, and Instagram: @believepsychologyfilmfest.

11) What if I need technical assistance during the festival or signing on?

Xerb.tv is our online streaming site and will take care of you. For Technical Questions or Support? Contact Xerb:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1-844-493-7288 (toll free in USA)
WhatsApp: +1-310-978-7944
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xerbtv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xerbtv/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/xerbtv

12) will i continue to have access to watch the movies after the Film block has ended?

The movies are available to watch within the time of the Film Block ONLY to mimic the experience of seeing a movie at the theater. 

13) How can I connect to the Zoom Q&A sessions to dialogue with filmmakers?

While the festival is a paid event, the Q&A sessions with the filmmakers will happen on Zoom free of charge and open to the public. The Meeting ID for all activities on DAY 1 is 851 5178 5503 and on Day 2 is 811 2012 8293. Zoom is also free of charge and it is possible to join the meeting without having a Zoom account. Go to Zoom.us, click "Join a Meeting," and type in the meeting ID during the designated Q&A times for each Film Block. See you there.

14) can i sign on to the zoom Q&a meetings using my mobile phone (audio)?

Yes the information to sign on is listed below:

Topic: Believe Psychology Film Festival DAY 1
Time: Jun 25, 2020 01:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85151785503

​Meeting ID: 851 5178 5503
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,85151785503# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,85151785503# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 851 5178 5503
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kclGhUygrt


Topic: Believe Psychology Film Festival DAY 2
Time: Jun 26, 2020 01:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81120128293

Meeting ID: 811 2012 8293
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,81120128293# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,81120128293# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 811 2012 8293
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kMOrgV266