jrowe

The film is about a new Hispanic student at a school school struggling to make connections with the students around him. Luckily, someone reaches out and creates a connection that only they can experience firsthand with one another. The purpose of this film is to enlighten high school students to reach out to those they see in need. No matter how different someone may be, they could have similar experiences or common interests with one another. And that’s all it takes to create a friendship and a special connection.

Unrooted, a cultural short film and PSA, illustrates the “Through the Lens of Culture” category as we showcased the dynamics of mental health throughout many cultures. From Japanese, to Puerto Rican, to Albanian culture, the film portrays the struggles of diverse students and how mental health takes on several but similar forms in all cultures. The students silently struggle with mental battles while their families remain unaware. Caused by academic stress, bullying, and even just spacing out, the students’ stress causes them to undergo a rollercoaster of negative emotions. Despite cultural differences, their experiences highlight the universal nature of mental health. When their loved ones finally recognize their pain, understanding and love bridge the divide.

Umoja highlights the power of family in overcoming sadness. It shows how speaking up and seeking support can be the first step toward healing, emphasizing the importance of unity in Kenyan culture.

This short film is a poetic conversation of how it feels to want to speak up in a Hispanic Household. Dealing with mental issues can be difficult especially if you don’t know how, and this film shows the difficulty it can be, but also how it also takes strength and will power. My film talks about a hispanic musician who is struggling with her mental health, it shows a raw and intimate look at mental health struggles within the hispanic community, framed through artistic and poetic perspective and the quiet power of reaching out.

Breaking The Silence is a film about the relationship between a mother and a daughter. The daughter does not receive support from her Hispanic mother after opening up about her mental struggles. An eye-opening news hits and the mother realizes the importance of mental health.

Behind the Curtain is a topic that brings forth the awareness of mental health in artists. In the visual and performing world, there are artists who experience long rehearsals, auditions, critiques, and expectations, which can be overwhelming over time. With an actor, dancer, and musician, we see the lens unfold and view the perspectives that can be seen across all artists. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as perfecting your craft.