Orange County Films

We sent the wrong version the fírst time. Making this film was very heart wrenching for us. There are many people our age that struggle with mental health and don’t ...

It can be easy to identify warning signs in others that are very open with their feelings. It can be challenging to identify warning signs in those that are not ...

Birthday Blues is a PSA highlighting a young man’s struggle with suicidal thoughts as he turns 18. It emphasizes the importance of seeking help and reaching out to friends during ...

This video portrays a boy walking alone in a park. I initially burdened by the stress of every day life he loses sight of hope until he encounters his friends. ...

In this video I interviewed some friends and a school counselor asking them if they knew the signs of suicide, finding out what they knew, and seeing how different people ...

My entry is an animated short closely following the theme of peer or student relationships and how mental health affects those relationships between individuals impacted by mental health. Although the ...

“In this short film, two friends notice changes in their friend Sarah’s behavior and talk about what to do. I used this film as an opportunity to reference some of ...

“I See Through Your Smile is a film that specifically brushes on the topic of suicide, speaking on the not-so-subtle signs one can easily miss. Told in the perspective of ...

“Our video was created simply to provide hope. A lot of people our age struggle with the multitudes of responsibilities they have and often times feel overwhelmed. Our video also ...

“Unsaid is a short film targeting Suicide Prevention. We face the difficulty of fully expressing our true thoughts and emotions during moments where we feel defeated. Many things are left ...

“A black and white world showing people who are depressed and feel sad. Then, they see someone reaching out to them and they take their hand. They are then brought ...

“It is a short film about a student/designer who struggles due to him comparing himself to others. He does not think he is good enough or will ever become what ...

“Our film ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ highlights a friend helping another who’s struggling with thoughts of suicide. It emphasizes the power of friendship and taking action when noticing warning ...

“Through a Different Lens” is about how a person who seemingly has a great life can become depressed and not know how to deal with it. The filmmakers wanted to ...

“Hailey is a teenager who struggles with suicidal thoughts. We are introduced to her with her parents arguing in the background, and later showing signs of isolation and giving away ...

A friend reaches out and asks a youth directly if he is thinking about suicide and then helps him move the weight he carries, which represents suicidal thoughts.

A girl’s bracelet, which represents her mental health, breaks apart, but a friend steps in to support her.

A film that shows the isolation and stress youth can feel as a result of family turmoil, and encourages reaching out to a friend and calling or texting a crisis ...

A girl who is having suicidal thoughts tells her best friend, who decides to go to a trusted adult which ends up saving her friend’s life.

A supportive friend reaches out to a girl who shows the warning signs of suicide, and goes to a school counselor with her.

A film that shows that those who are considering suicide may mask their feelings in front of others and the importance of reaching out to someone who is struggling, even ...

A concerned friend reaches out though the phone to let her friend know she’s noticed her changing behavior and wonders if she’s thinking about suicide.

A girl notices signs of self harm in her best friend, and alerts a trusted adult to get him help.

A girl texts her friend to say goodbye, but her friend urges her to seek help and give resources.

A girl feels invisible and hopeless, then a friend reaches out and lets her know she is not alone

In a voicemail, a boy shares his concerns to a friend and asks him directly if he is thinking of suicide, so the friend decides to reach out to a ...

A protagonist, depressed at the hopelessness of their life, goes to his desk and tears out the pages of his life, his memories. Ultimately, though, his actions draw the sympathy ...

A film about how social distancing affects our mental health and the importance of reaching out.

A film that encourages the viewer to have hope for the future and to reach out when they are struggling.

I chose this category because growing up in a traditional Filipino household meant that I grew up thinking that mental illness was something that a person did to themselves. When ...

Our film is an animated short focused on reaching out to loved ones who may be suffering with depression or suicidal thoughts. It focuses on a boy in emotional pain, ...

This PSA is about ways to overcome mental health struggles, showing people that you are not alone and there are people who care for you and want to make sure ...

Our entry follows the mental health journey of a girl, symbolized by a plant. With each neglectful action for her health, the plant begins to wither, and with each mental ...

The film “Taking the Wheel” is a story about a shared experience of mental health struggles between two sisters. Through vulnerability and courage they are able to find hope within ...

Our submission captures the internal struggle some feel from the reoccurring pressures in life. By reaching out for help, you are able to open up and break the internal cycle ...

This film is about how a boy named Ethan locks himself away due to stress. His friend Emma consults and talks him through opening up and talking about his feelings.

Our submission relates to kids who experience anxiety through excessive pressure and fear. Our purpose of the video is show that kids around the world aren’t alone, trying to get ...

The therapist represents the self talk one has with themselves when they are struggling with mental health. Something I’ve personally experienced is resorting to self talk when I struggle with ...

My submission is about the common struggle within most teens, finding themselves living in their day to day life with constant stress and repetitive cycles. Most end up feeling trapped ...

“Beyond the Surface” takes a creative approach to telling the story of someone experiencing a mental health challenge and shares the message that no matter the circumstance you are going ...

Mental health comes in many colors, each with a different meaning and a different story. Told through the metaphor of mental health’s symbolic green ribbon, this entry aims to inspire ...

“This PSA is for the ‘Mental Health’ prompt. Our PSA follows a high school girl as she struggles with anxiety symptoms. Her friend notices and reaches out to help . ...

“My submission is about a video representing someone with mental health problems and how she feels it.”

“Look at You Now is a short film relating to looking at how much one can grow and change. It’s a reflection of someone’s mental health journey and how enlightening ...

“My video submission is based on the focus of how mental health may be hard to speak up about for some people. The focus is on what the end result ...

“Seasons of Hope” shows that even when you feel like the world is moving too fast for you to keep up with, you can still find hope. The film is ...

A youth struggling with their mental health seeks out help from a crisis line.

A youth explains how how anxiety can take on any forms and provides education about how anxiety works.

“Lost in Thought” is a short film that follows the story of a girl who uses earbuds to block out the noise of her parent’s constant fighting. Our short film ...

An animation about stigma around mental illness, how to reach out for support, and living in unision with mental health issues.

A film depicting how sensory issues can impact day to day life and how to be a supportive friend to someone who is struggling.

A film about running as a metaphor for mental health, showing that having friends’ support helps in the mental health journey.

A student checks in on a friend she’s concerned about and offers help, and then connects her friend to counseling.

A student texts another to voice their concerns, and the recipient student decides to reach out to a trusted adult.

A stop motion film that expolores what it’s like for a girl who is living with depression.

Students who participate in different clubs and activities at school show that they all experience challenges with thrie mental health at times.

A student swimmer describes how he realizes that something feels different about his mental health. He finds support from his team, family and others to seek help for his sadness ...

While chatting with her friend, a girl opens up that she’s been struggling and needs support. The film shares signs of depression and how a friend can be supportive by ...

A girl is feeling pressured and struggling with anxiety from being the first in her family to get an education. She found help on the SanaMente website.
Una niña ...

A group of friends talk on a video call about the changes they have noticed in their friend’s behavior and reach out to him to check in.

A girl decides to reach out for help and notices positive changes in herself once she gets the help she needs.

A film about ways to cope with mental health challenges by finding support and doing things you enjoy.

A film that talks about views on mental health in the Vietnamese community and how to reduce stigma.

A transgender woman shares her story of discovering her identity.

A young student experiences depression and finds support after a friend notices the signs and encourages him to seek professional help. With support and encouragement, he realizes that a mental ...

Youth from different cultures encourage others to chose empowerment over shame and break the stigmas surrounding mental illness.

This film explores the generational and cultural differences in families perceive mental health.

“The Conversation” is a film about how much communication matters in both family and language, English and Spanish.

A Latina youth shares the difficulty she and others in her community have sharing their feelings with their families. She is inspired by SanaMente, California’s mental health movement, and decides ...

A girl living with depression worries about how her family will react but decides to talk openly with them and they stay by her side. She compares her depression to ...

A film that encourages youth to reach out to a friend experiencing a mental health challenge. The film highlights the fact that people often wait years to get help, but ...

Youth share the importance of speaking up about mental health and how they found their own voice to end the silence about mental illness

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

My entry explores the nature of water and how it relates back to us. Water is malleable and flexible, meaning that anyone can bend and mold it to whatever shape ...

Video raising awareness about teen mental health

“Who am I to Complain” centers on the eldest daughter in a Vietnamese family who struggles with mental health due to stress and the pressures of perfectionism. Though she is ...

This film explores mental health through the lens of Vietnamese culture, touching on identity, communication, and inter-generational barriers.

This is a film about the struggles and pressures of living in a traditional Hispanic household and shows the impact of not allowing people to express their emotions.

This film provides insight into mental health in Jewish culture and encourages those who may be struggling to speak out.

“La Lucha Invisible” acknowledges how difficult it can be to reach out in the Hispanic community and encourages those who are struggling to find the courage to seek help.

“Hues of Hope” centers on Billy, a character that could represent anyone suffering from mental illness. The story of Billy shows his growth as he gains strength from his friends ...

This film seeks to uplift those struggling with mental health in the Latino community, showing them that there’s support and hope.

“Hot Pot” shows an Asian son not knowing how to confide in his father. The son is struggling in school and with his mental health; he does not want to ...

“Cambiemos el Pasado” tackles the burdens put on youth when they feel pressured to live up to the expectations of immigrant parents. The film discusses the stress and anxiety that ...

A parent and youth have a dialogue in Spanish about the youth’s mental health and the parent does not understand, but the film offers a positive message of support.

A first-generation Vietnamese youth feels misunderstood by his parents, but opens up to a supportive friend.

A news announcement about the importance of talking about mental health in the Latinx community.

“The Conversation” is a film about how much communication matters in both family and language, English and Spanish.

This PSA is about a Vietnamese girl who is afraid of ruining her family name because of the emotions she has been feeling. She knows that it is not common ...

I chose this category because growing up in a traditional Filipino household meant that I grew up thinking that mental illness was something that a person did to themselves. When ...

A film that tells the story of a girl who experiences anxiety and hopelessness and finds support from a friend who reaches out to her

This film explores the generational and cultural differences in families perceive mental health.

Youth from different cultures encourage others to chose empowerment over shame and break the stigmas surrounding mental illness.

Students help each other cope with stress by finding their strengths and getting support from trusted adults.

A Latina youth shares the difficulty she and others in her community have sharing their feelings with their families. She is inspired by SanaMente, California’s mental health movement, and decides ...

A girl is feeling pressured and struggling with anxiety from being the first in her family to get an education. She found help on the SanaMente website.
Una niña ...

Animated short created by a student at Rancho Santa Margarita Catholic High School

My entry shows how the main character a Teen can reach out for help and what to look out for in someone. Showing signs of concern and needing the help ...

When I don’t feel good,I don’t feel like myself. I refer times when I Have looked into mirrors and hated the person that looked back at me. I wanted to ...

A 3d animation that takes place in one room, where narrator asks their friend directly if they are thinking of suicide.

An animated film about a friend who noticed warning signs that their friend needed help.

Our film is an animated short focused on reaching out to loved ones who may be suffering with depression or suicidal thoughts. It focuses on a boy in emotional pain, ...

A protagonist, depressed at the hopelessness of their life, goes to his desk and tears out the pages of his life, his memories. Ultimately, though, his actions draw the sympathy ...

Our video shows a reliable way to get help from trusted teens whenever you need it. Our video also represents the struggle with loneliness and depression. Our video also shows ...

During a school counselor presentation about suicide prevention a student hears the warning signs and realizes their friend needs help. After trying to break through many times they finally get ...

Our submission is to spread awareness of mental health illnesses and how to help others struggling with it.

Our entry is supposed to highlight the effects of depression in teens, as seen in our focus student Camila who has suffered from depression. Then two mental health professionals added ...

“You Are Not Alone” provides positive examples of how to get help when faced with depression and other challenges.

This film is about showing empathy to those who are going through a tough time and being open to understanding others’ situations.

This unique and creative film reimagines “Alice in Wonderland” to tell a story about youth mental health.

“Jessica got out of a relationship where she gave a lot, but her boyfriend didn’t. Now she is giving all of her favorite things away to her friend in her ...

“In the film, “Listening” we wanted to bring awareness of the seriousness of mental health and how beneficial it can be to listen to our peers and loved ones when ...

“A story about a student in middle school with depression. He strugles to find friends but someone steps up.”

“Tim is missing his brother Sammy who passed away less than a year before. He decides he his going to end his life and see Sammy that night. His friend ...

“Our entry relates to the required content submission criteria (walk in our shoes) because we showcase the struggles of family relationships and how there is always someone who wants to ...

My film shows a teen girl struggling with the idea of sharing how much she loves her stepmother. Instead of speaking with words, she writes what she feels. This story ...

This entry explores the emotional distance that can form between a parent and child during the transition into adulthood. The film reflects how young people often struggle to explain what ...

Edgar, our producer of this film chose the word compassion for his video. In his video he shares about being compassionate towards others and yourself.

“Melodic” is a 60-second film that captures the power of music as an anchor during tough times. It uses evocative visuals and sound to show how music can ground us ...

It is about how if you ever felt down or feel like you life is hopelessly spiraling out of your hands, it’s play to take a breath and do the ...

My anchor is digital media, specifically film and documenting. All of my life, I’ve always felt that every misfortune I’ve had to bear would forever be out of my control ...

This entry is for the people that are too scared to vote and aren’t informed of what voting effects. Many people ask for a lot for the community which causes ...

We want viewers to be able to relate to the film, but our true goal was to share and express the feeling of overcoming a hard time in life and ...

It is important to us that people know they aren’t a bother. Their problems matter, and there are people who care about what they are going through. We have seen ...

It is important for my friends to know that they are never a bother. They can come to me with any problems, and as a peer mentor, I want to ...

It is important for our parents to know what we are going through. We have different experiences from them, and they can’t always relate. This can affect our mental health ...

Sometimes it is hard for my parents to understand me and for me to open up to them. Working with my team helped me to feel better knowing that my ...

I want to help bring awareness to the fact that students are going through a lot more than their parents might realize.

I created this piece because I believe it’s something others such as students like myself can relate to and deeply relate to it.

As I’m growing up and becoming more independent, I’ve struggled with being overwhelmed by school, my commitments, and my busy schedule. I know my parents want to help me but ...

“All it takes is one message to ask if someone is ok. It may be hard to reach out, but in the end it will be worth it. I believe ...

“Our film highlights a unique spot at Buena Park High School. It’s more than just a room, it’s where we go when things get tough. Here, you’re never just another ...

“If you notice that a friend is sad, you should talk to them. It’s okay if you don’t always know what to say; most of the time, people just need ...

My submission relates to the required criteria because I start with a simple drum beat and add more to make it sound like a whole song/riff and then I have ...

“In my film, I talk about my hopes and goals for 2023. I include my own personal goals, my hopes for my loved ones, and my hopes for my community.”