ODEON partners with Mind to launch new mental health film award
ODEON has partnered with Mind, the mental health charity, to sponsor the new Film category at this year’s Mind Media Awards.
The award celebrates and honours the very best portrayals of mental health problems in film from the last 12 months.
The four shortlisted films will go head to head in an online public vote, which opens on Wednesday 26 October and closes on Friday 4 November and can be accessed here: www.mind.org.uk/mindawardsfilm
The shortlisted films are:
Love & Mercy
A biopic about the life of Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys, the film covers both his early life in the 1960’s, where Wilson is played by Paul Dano, and the 1980’s, played by John Cusack, as he struggles with depression and laterally becomes manipulated by his psychologist.
Room
Held captive for years in ‘room’, a woman, Brie Larson, and her young son, Jacob Tremblay, finally gain their freedom, allowing the boy to experience the outside world for the first time. This film explores depression, suicidal feelings and PTSD.
Amy
A documentary about singer Amy Winehouse, this film uses archive material to chart the rise and fall of her life and career. Amy struggled with addiction issues, an eating disorder and depression throughout her life and sadly died from alcohol poisoning in 2011.
Inside Out
The animated film is set in the mind of a young girl named Riley. Her world turns upside-down when she and her parents move to San Francisco. Riley's emotions- led by Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler) try to guide her through this difficult, life-changing event.
Alison Kerry, Head of Media at Mind, said:
“We are thrilled that ODEON has partnered with us to create the new Film category for the Mind Media Awards. The influence that film has on society cannot be underestimated, as it is both a form of entertainment as well as a form of education. Through imagination film enhances the realm of what is possible and encourages audiences to change the way they view mental health. Detailed biographical films and in-depth documentaries give us insight and can play a role in raising awareness and reducing stigma.
“The shortlist for this category illustrates the astonishingly wide array of films which are engaging with mental health, ranging from a children’s Disney film to a revealing and hard hitting biopic. Tough competition and we wish all of our nominees the best of luck in the vote.”
Duncan Reynolds, Managing Director at ODEON Cinemas UK & Ireland said:
“We are committed to helping highlight the issue of mental health and tackling the stigma that surrounds it, and are delighted to have been working with Mind since the start of this year.
“Films not only transport our guests’ imaginations, but are a fantastic way to educate and bring key issues and themes to the forefront of people’s minds.
“We are delighted to be sponsoring the new Film award at the Mind Media Awards, to honour some of the best portrayals of mental health issues in film over the last year, and we look forward to seeing which film wins!”
The voting opens on Wednesday 26 October at 12pm and will be available on Mind’s website (www.mind.org.uk). It will close on Friday 4 November at 12pm. Voting is open to all members of the public.
The winner will be announced at the Mind Media Awards ceremony at The Troxy theatre in London on Monday 14 November and on Mind’s Twitter and Instagram.