Beowulf

A 6th-century Scandinavian warrior named Beowulf embarks on a mission to slay the man-like ogre, Grendel.

Bug Therapy

Citronella, a mosquito who faints at the sight of blood, nervously waits outside her first group therapy session, while the Pill Bug therapist, Dr. Pill tries to calm a neurotic group of bugs, each suffering from a mental-health issue: An OCD germaphobic Fly freaks when he runs out of hand sanitizer. A Dragonfly couple struggle with co-dependency; she's literally on top of him. A Grasshopper, addicted to coffee, is so jumpy, he launches himself in mid-sentence. A Praying Mantis who doesn't pray because she thinks she is God. A terrified Spider is deathly afraid of -- spiders. And, a perfectly-camouflaged Stick Bug complains that no one ever "sees" him. Throughout all this, Citronella battles her urge to flee - while Dr. Pill implores her to share her "embarrassing" problem.

When Will It All End

"Beginnings are rare and fleeting. All we are left with in life is a long and unavoidable journey to the end. Describe the burdens you carry with you on this journey." I sent the above prompt to friends and colleagues and asked for any artistic response. I received numerous poems, songs, short stories, etc. I took all of the responses and stitched together the verses, stories, and emotions into a narrative following the protagonist through a day in his life. My goal was to give a snapshot of the mental health of those around me and remind everyone that they are not alone in their sadness.

A l'Aube d'un Renouveau

In this farewell letter to Ana (aka Anorexia), I reveal the suffering associated with this illness. I express my desire to regain my freedom and vitality by sharing not only my progress but also my relapses. Through the interweaving of drawings and poetry, I share this quest for reconstruction, which I hope will help raise awareness of this mental illness and bring a little hope to people affected by it and those around them.

Mr. Finley's Feelings

Our animated hero questions his sanity after blowing his top and driving his car into a police station.

Nuggets

A 5 minute animation on the nature of addiction.

Love Letter to Life

Iman Dimalanta, a 21-year-old lymphoma cancer survivor, journaled all her thoughts through her entire cancer experience. With such a heavy topic, Iman provides a bright and uplifting energy to the screen. Her outlook on life and lighthearted, admirable, a

My Depression (The Up and Down and Up of It)

Based on Elizabeth Swados’ picture book of the same name, this animated short film charts one woman's struggle with depression.

Last Day of Freedom

When Bill Babbitt realizes his brother Manny has committed a crime he agonizes over his decision to call the police.

Diary of a Head Injury

A bleed on the brain and concussion inspire a crash victim to confront the heartbreak, trauma and confusion of losing connection with the only person they ever really knew.

Scars

Alex Anna’s body is a canvas: her scars come to life to tell a new story of self-harming.

LES MIKAILS

Apocalypse YASSS: Two Girls, One Rapture

Trust Me

Animated short documentary following a young woman's diagnosis of bipolar: a journey of self-acceptance to challenge everyday stigma. In "Trust Me", a genre-bending short documentary, a young woman uses humour and compassion to share her moving and deeply personal story of coming to terms with her mental health condition. When she starts exhibiting atypical and extreme behaviour, her loved ones trick her into hospitalisation against her will. She is diagnosed with bipolar disorder which starts her challenging journey of self-acceptance, confronting internalised and societal stigma, and learning to trust herself and others again.

Tiger

“I want to be a tiger. I am an atheist from Iraq and I am seeking asylum. About my hallucinations… It’s difficult. Horrible monsters. I hope I can help those who need help.” An episode of the animation series Mental images by Antonia Ringbom. The aim of these animated documentary short films is to reduce the stigma toward mental health problems and psychological disorders.

I Would Like to Live on the Moon

A young non-binary person feels overwhelmed and wants to escape - literally, to the moon.

Daisy's Final Goodbye

"Daisy's Final Goodbye" is an evocative animated tale based on a true story. It chronicles the heart-wrenching journey of Steven, a PTSD-afflicted veteran, as he grapples with the profound loss of his devoted service dog, Daisy. The weight of this farewell is almost unbearable. As a poignant homage, filmmaker Steven Long crafts this narrative five years after Daisy's departure, celebrating not just her unwavering bond, but also honoring the countless canines who've embraced us as kin.

To the Brink

A violent stop motion cabaret for the cynical and depraved. Guilt, alcoholic apathy and the inevitable, looming apocalypse threaten to push a young man to the brink.

Someone's Gaze

Aya Okamura has been working for two years and has begun living on her own for a job opportunity. With her mother working overseas as a doctor, her father is now living alone with the family's longtime pet cat Mii-san. One night, Aya returns from a long day at work, and as she rests on her bed, she reminiscences about the times the family had together. She remembers the sadness she felt when her mom went overseas, and the solace she felt when her father brought home Mii-san to give her comfort. Then, she receives a phone call.

Om natten

A man leaves his work by the computer terminal and rushes home through the worries of urban nighttime. In the loneliness of his apartment the everyday images and sounds continue to haunt him.