Animated Minds: Youth make movies about mental health
This past March Break the Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health partnered with the ViewFinders International Film Festival for Youth to host a free animation film camp for budding filmmakers (ages 12-18).
The purpose of the camp was to allow youth to express their creativity and learn about the film-making process. Participants were asked to explore the topics of mental health and mental illness and create a short films about what mattered most to them.
The films were screened as part of the ViewFinders International Film Festival last April and are now being taken on the road and shown to schools and community groups across Atlantic Canada.
The documentary was filmed during the week of the camp and highlights the importance of talking about mental health problems. I’ve uploaded three films created as part of the camp. I’ll upload the rest next week.
Thanks to all the youth, film instructors and ViewFinders organizers who made this possible! A special thanks also to the T. R. Meighen Family Foundation for their financial support.
DOCUMENTARY
ANIMATED MINDS FILMS
(Disclaimer: Youth participants were provided with information about youth mental health, however some of the statistics in the videos are inaccurate)
Tags: Youth mental health
June 16th, 2009 at 11:19 am
This is a great initiative. What a wonderful way to tap into the creativity of the learners and to support them to give voice and animate messages from their experience.
I think this would be valuable also to educate about children and teen bereavement experiences.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Thanks Nick it was a lot of fun and the youth said it was a positive experience.