Leeds Film Festival: Film To Change

Even though this isn't something in association with my University I still feel it warrants a place on this blog because it was event that I learnt a lot from.

The event itself was part of the Leeds film festival and demonstrated a series of 15 films/documentaries about mental health and learning disabilities and went under the banner "film to change". The event was held at the Leeds Town Hall.

The one thing that impressed me most was the variety in the tone of each short film, some were funny, some were educational and some were really sad, one moment I was laughing and the next moment I was trying not to cry in front of a large audience of film producers.

I mentioned before the word "educational" and for me that was one of the things I liked the most about the event, I learnt so much, such as the fact that 1 in 4 people will be affected by mental health issues in there lifetime, facts like this helped me understand how much of a relevant issue mental health is. I also learnt a lot about the people in the videos, they were inspirational, when you think of the challenges certain people have to go through in day to day life it really does have a profound effect on how you view life in general.

Out of all the short films I watched my favourite was a film called "Down the Rabbit Hole" directed by Vanessa Findlay. The film focused on a teenage girl who was suffering from depression, the way the piece was shot and some of the shocking images you saw of the girl, such as her lying in the middle of a room motionless or the sight of her many scars from attempted suicide, made me really think about how many people I have met who maybe hiding a secret like this. I think this film effected me most because I had a friend who had issues such as the above so I could relate to the struggles the girl was going through.

Going back to a more technical film producing point it was great to see films that were shot on a low budget but were still very high quality productions, it inspired me because I started thinking that I could make a short film to the same quality as what I was watching on the screen.

I feel the entire experience as a whole was one I'm glad I had, for the small price of £5 I saw 15 films or documentaries and whilst watching them felt a wide range of emotion as well as learning so much a long the way.

Useful Links:
www.leedsfilm.com/