Family Ties

Shorts: Our family experiences can have a major impact on our mental health, for better or for worse.

These films explore how different family relationships can provide essential emotional support or cause long-lasting harm, as well as how creative therapies can help us to unravel our past trauma.

18+

Accessibility: SDH captions. See individual titles for content notes.

This screening includes an in-person discussion with Fan Sissoko (On the Surface) and Vincent Sparreboom (At the Feet of My Mother).

Screening Programme

Favorite Daughter, Susi Haaning, Denmark, 8m, England and Danish with English subtitles

A poetic and playful animation following Favorite Daughter through myriad of moments in her childhood painting a portrait of the father-daughter relationship whilst dealing with their individual challenges of being bipolar.

Transparent, I am., Yuri Muraoka, Japan, 12m, Japanese with English subtitles

Based on a poem written during the Covid-19 pandemic, this powerful poetic essay explores director Yuri Muraoka’s experiences as a parent living with schizophrenia.

Content Notes: References to blood and violent imagery, distressing hallucinations and dreams, hospitalisation, suicidal ideation, and sex.

At the feet of my mother, Vincent Sparreboom, Netherlands, 27m, Dutch with English Subtitles

Director Vincent Spaareboom observes a family constellation therapy session that sees Lucien face his painful and suppressed childhood. Dealing with issues of trauma and parentification, it takes us on an emotional and intimate journey. 

Content Notes: References to childhood trauma and abuse

On The Surface, Fan Sissoko, Iceland, 4m, Dutch with English Subtitles

Tender animation following Ada, a young Black woman, as she goes swimming in the Icelandic Sea and grapples with the complexities of raising a child in a country where she questions her own belonging.

Content Notes: References to trauma, racism, and postnatal depression

Just in Case, April Kelley, UK, 14m, English

An open and tender conversation between Rachel and her father as she shares her deeps truths about the challenges of living with bipolar disorder. This piece was made in collaboration with Bipolar UK.

Content Notes: References to suicidal ideation