International Film Awards (2012)
In 2012 the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival broke new ground with previews of unreleased and previously unseen films, accompanied by unique, live discussion with guests, fans and filmmakers alike.
The Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival film submission returned for its sixth year, bringing together from all over the world filmmakers whose work explores the subject of mental health. Since their inception, the awards have aimed to provide a platform for filmmakers to share their ideas with a new audience, challenging perceptions about mental health issues and connecting with like-minded individuals.
This year’s competition saw a diverse range of submissions from Scottish, British and European artists, as well as entries from as far afield as Canada, Australia and India. The very best of these films will be honoured at this awards ceremony, promoting greater understanding of mental illness and encouraging the examination of social justice issues through the arts.
In 2007, while I was a user of mental health service Stepping Stones, now transformed into the Alma Project in Edinburgh, I was part of the team directed by Robbie McKillop that made Faultlines, winner of Best Drama in the SMHAFF that year.
Clare Lamond
It was, in a large part, through the support of the service and through them introducing me to film making that I recovered and went on to study animation at Edinburgh College of Art. This year I submitted my own film to the SMHAFF. That feels pretty special!
The Winner Loser
Jury Prize
Colour
Lynsey Miller (UK, 2012) 23m
When 11-year-old Holly meets Congolese boy Andre, he offers her friendship and a reprieve from her difficult home life with a sick mother. Their happiness hangs in the balance though, as Holly’s mum’s mental illness worsens and Andre delivers some devastating news.
About the Director
Lynsey Miller originally entered the film world in a development capacity and worked for Kudos and Film4 amongst others before moving into production at Ruby Film and Television. To date, Lynsey has written and directed four short films and directed promotional material for the charity GAGA (Goodwill and Growth for Africa). Her fourth short film Paper Mountains is in post-production. Her previous three short films Shish, Hip Hip Hooray and Bleach have all screened at festivals internationally and been awards nominated.
About the Writer
Vivienne Franzmann was a teacher for thirteen years in a variety of London secondary schools. In 2008, she won the Bruntwood Playwriting Award with her first play Mogadishu and went on to be awarded the George Devine Award for Most Promising Playwright in 2010. ‘Mogadishu’ was performed at the Royal Manchester Exchange and at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith in 2011. Vivienne is currently writer in residence for Clean Break Theatre Company, a company which works with female offenders and ex-offenders. At the start of this year, Vivienne was awarded the Pearson Playwrights’ Bursary and is in now on attachment to The Royal Court. Her second play The Witness opens in June at The Royal Court.
Award Winners
Educational Documentary
Winner
Transvisions
Alison Wren
Scotland, 2011
Created in collaboration with LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, Transvisions features candid conversations with transgender people that challenge the stigma and misunderstandings surrounding transgender identities.
Educational Documentary
Highly Commended
Head Case
Matt Pinder
Scotland, 2012
Based on the book by Pamela Stephenson Connolly, this is a guide for young people to help deal with their own and their friends’ and family’s’ mental health problems.
Animation
Winner
All That Glisters
Clare Lamond
Scotland, 2012
7m
As Clare moves from childhood she strives to create a personal way of dealing with her Dad’s illness from asbestosis. A stop-motion adaptation of a short story by Scottish author Anne Donovan, with a soundtrack by singer-songwriter Karine Polwart.
Animation
Highly Commended
Marvin
Mark Nute
UK, 2010
8m
Narrated by Steve Coogan, Marvin tells the story of an unusual little boy and the adventure he has when he loses his common sense.
Animation
Highly Commended
Growing Space
Kate Broadhurst
UK, 2011
4m
An animated documentary about a small charity which makes a huge impact on the lives of adults suffering from mental health problems, using the transformational healing process that comes from gardening and a community spirit.
Personal Narrative
Winner
The Winner Loser
Darren Hercher
Scotland, 2011
60m
Daniel MacNee can’t remember his own past since a devastating illness destroyed his memory function twenty-two years ago. Danny has created an extraordinary way of coping and navigating through life. Filmed over a year, the informal documentary is an intimate portrait of a man determined to piece together his own history and overcome the massive challenges he faces every day.
Short Drama
Winner
Pollicino
Cristiano Anania
Italy, 2012
9m
A person with Alzheimer’s disease is asleep on the couch. The house is a mess. The daylight filters from the windows. The need for food makes the man go out; a series of post-its to help him find his way back. The bread is bought, and the man gets ready to return home. As he comes to a crossroads, he changes direction; perhaps to an awareness of a whole new world.
Short Drama
Highly Commended
You Bring Something Back
Michelle Arbon
UK, 2012
For some female soldiers returning to the UK from active duty, everyday civilian life can become a nightmare as they deal with the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Long Drama
Winner
Colour
Lynsey Miller
UK, 2012
23m
When 11-year-old Holly meets Congolese boy Andre, he offers her friendship and a reprieve from her difficult home life with a sick mother. Their happiness hangs in the balance though, as Holly’s mum’s mental illness worsens and Andre delivers some devastating news.
Long Drama
Highly Commended
Dylan’s Room
Layke Anderson
UK, 2012
20m
A mother finds solace in her son’s deserted bedroom, rummaging through drawers, making discoveries and confronting the past.
Short Documentary
Winner
Maraquita
Matthew Cleaves and George Clipp
Australia, 2012
12m
Maraquita spent 22 years of her life in Sunbury Asylum on a diagnosis that was found to be incorrect. This film explores her injustice as remembered by her son Tony.
Short Documentary
Highly Commended
Capicua (Palindrome)
Roger Villarroya
Spain, 2011
19m
A beautifully-shot exploration of the parallels between the very beginning of our lives, and the very end.
Long Documentary
Winner
The Empress Hotel
Irving Savat and Allie Light
USA, 2009
85m
The Empress Hotel is home to a rarified clientele; 90 people with mental illness or addiction who have lived on the streets of San Francisco. Not every person can stay on meds or get clean, yet out of hopelessness and chaos, a community is formed.
Submit Your Film
The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) will return from 19 October to 8 November 2026 for its 20th year.
Film submissions are open until Friday 17 April 2026. Find full guidelines and eligibility criteria on our FilmFreeway listing.
