HOMME Spotlight on Men and Mental Health Multi-Screening

Big Boys Don't Cry

Big Boys Don't Cry is a spoken word piece written and directed by Joe Byrne. Its aim is to tackle some of the ideas of what it means to be a man in society today, by going straight in and dismantling the commonly used phrase "Big Boys Don't Cry". Its main objective is to smash the false idea and belief that men and boys should not show emotion, or by in doing so you are somehow weak or inadequate. It touches on subjects such as suicide, loneliness, isolation and the social conditioning that`s shaping the generations of males now growing up amongst us. It is a call to action for men to open up and not to be afraid to express themselves freely.It is estimated that in 2015 in the UK and Ireland alone there were 6,639 suicides and of those 4,997 were males.

Directed by Joe Byrne

Ireland

Workshop

Four young men fighting different mental health conditions reveal their greatest fears and challenges as they play drama games during a therapy workshop.

Zero-budget charity comedy-drama short film.Made in partnership with London-based charity Thrive LDN.

It was filmed with zero-budget in one day at the National Youth Theatre in September 2019.

Directed by Joseph Archer

Starring Sam Toller, Ryaan Ali, Kainan Tenkorang, Deano Smith, Ben Jones

UK

Kia Kaha

A documentary film about a proud Maori father living in Perth, Australia, who draws upon his personal struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts to encourage other men to choose life.

Directed by Sam Siversson

Starring Leon Ruri

Australia

Courage to Change

Carlo is talented surfer, skier and entrepreneur from Torquay with a beautiful wife and kids. From the outside his life appears to be the picture of happiness but the truth is Carlo has secretly struggled with depression for years. A house fire and and his business under threat will push him to finally reach for help.

Directed by Christian Buxton

Starring Carlo Lowdon, Kelly Lowdon

Australia

All Of Our Shadows

In these times of uncertainty and anxiety, the film follows a day in the life of a young teenage boy as he faces his fears and concerns.

Can he confide in his school mates? Will they ignore him, mock him or help him?

Directed by Ruth Beni & Daniel Greaves

UK

First Step

A young man attends a support group for suicide loss survivors and doesn't take it seriously. Over time, the group turns out to be more affecting than he thought.

Directed by Paul Odgren

Starring Zachary Mooren, Ben Faigus, Kayla Wickes, Alex Kagy, Ceara O'Sullivan, John MacGregor, Louise Mara, Nicole, Danielle Powlovich, Samson

USA

Surviving Suicide

At his lowest moment, Tim Haughian prepared to take his own life… only to discover a reason to hold on.

Directed by Paul Plett

Starring Tim Haughian

Canada

Follow My Brain

What would you do if one day you could no longer trust your reality—especially as a young boxer with dreams of going pro? For Cam Webster, it was a punch in the gut. But like any good fighter, he gets back up again.

Directed by Robyn Thomas

Starring Cam Webster

Canada

Debut

A depressed aspiring model-actor (Amitaj) is about to commit suicide and tricks his budding filmmaker, best friend (Krishna) into filming it. Amitaj wants the world to know why he took such a drastic decision, by telling his story—no holds barred.

Directed by Kartik Shetty

Starring Rehan Sharma, Kartavya Sharma

India