A celebration of the festival’s theme, In/Visible. This collection of shorts embraces the visible and invisible and the dissonance in-between, exploring themes of trauma, migration, family and the inner self in unique ways.
List of films:
Vioma d. Angel Saft (Greece, 2024) 19m
A group of young people share their traumas and life experiences during a therapy session, revealing their pain and broken dreams. As their stories unfold, the piece gestures towards glimmers of hope bringing the realisation that they are not alone in their struggles.
This film contains themes of self-harm.
Coin Slot d. Scott Jones (Canada, 2022) 17m
A portrait of a young man trying not to unravel as the anniversary of a traumatic attack looms ever closer. Fragmented moments are stitched together to capture the many shades of trauma and healing, foregrounding honesty and vulnerability.
This film contains themes of self-harm.
Parking Lot d. Jorė Janavičiūtė (Lithuania, 2021) 13m
An examination of ‘emotional hygiene’ through the lens of female friendship, offering a nuanced insight into the complex dynamics a play when navigating mental health.
Paper Planes, Don’t Always Soar d. Diyana Amir (Singapore, 2023) 15m
Inspired by a true story of an aviation disaster in Singapore. A daughter tries to bridge the bond she lost after her father returns home from a plane crash, when he struggles to remember his life before that fateful catastrophe.
Only When You Bury Me in this Earth d. Nima Shahmalekpur (UK, 2024) 17m
Shaheen, an Afghan refugee, has lost contact with his brother who is travelling the perilous migration route to England. To cope, he makes and flies colourful kites. But after an unexpected event he is forced to face the purpose of his migration and consider how to rebuild a shattered life.
i and i d. Samona Olanipekun (UK, 2023) 16m
A portrayal of contemporary male identity, which peels back the layers of self. A young man spends a day preparing for his 30th birthday while confronted by his alter ego.
Filmmakers Joré Janavičiūtē (Parking Lot), Nima Shahmalekpur (Only When You Bury Me in this Earth) and Samona Olanipekun (i and i) will take part in a Q&A following this screening.
Coin Slot has won the In/Visible award at SMHAF’s International Film Awards 2024.
Only When You Bury Me in this Earth has won the Human Rights award at SMHAF’s International Film Awards 2024.
This event is part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival’s Focus on Film programme, taking place in Glasgow from 16-19 October.
