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film & idea fests
Mental Health – Autism – Recovery – Disability – Suicide Prevention

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FILMS

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Focus on Impact

Education & Awareness

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Support creativity in Utah mental health programs at FoF '25!

Focus on Fests is not your average event — it’s an immersive experience mixing creativity and advocacy. These one-of-a-kind popup events blend filmmaking, multimedia, storytelling, and live performances to ignite conversations and build a stigma-free community. The 2025 program features premiere short films, panel discussions, presentations, and the innovative photo journalistic storytelling of Frame of Mynd!

Designed to inspire and unite, Focus on Fests brings together edutainment, elevation, and connected perspectives — all rooted right here in Salt Lake City. From powerful youth-driven programs to all-ages interactive showcases, this is where awareness comes alive and change takes center stage.

Tickets are $25 and support Mental Healthy F.i.T.’s much needed education and awareness programming in Utah.

Mental Health - Autism - Recovery - Disability - Suicide Prevention

May 13th 2025 – 7pm – doors 6:30pm

Cutthroat Grip, Lighting & Stage – 156 W Utopia Ave, SLC

Get Tix

Top notch films -- only at FoF!

Create. Educate. Motivate. Let’s break the stigma and build stronger, healthier connections together. Hover over the posters to find out more about each film.

Tank – Rage Rhonda – Positive Vibes Only – Nowhere To Go – Out of the Shadows – Late Diagnosed – A Rainbow Too

These films will play on May 13th for Mental Health Awareness Month. Further films will screen later in the year. Details below.

Tank
Tank

'Tank' is a surreal trip into the internal struggles of a young woman experiencing long-term health issues. The journey emphasises the importance of being compassionate and understanding towards those who are struggling with invisible illnesses. Focussing on how the power of love and acceptance can help those who are suffering.

Rage Rhonda
Rage Rhonda

Rhonda's working on herself. Between the recent loss of her mom and cleaning up other people's messes at her toxic job, Rhonda's got a lot on her mind. When her job takes a turn for the worst, Rhonda decides to start therapy. Maybe that’s where she’ll find a safe space. Afterall, patient confidentiality, right? A darkly comedic look at female rage within the context of loss and toxic work culture, Rage Rhonda is a story about self-acceptance and keeping your cool, which as Rhonda discovers, just takes a little… practice.

Out of the shadows
Out of the Shadows

Out of the Shadows examines the mental health crisis in rural America through the eyes of the farmers who experience the struggle every day. This gripping documentary offers firsthand accounts of the crisis impacting our rural communities and those who grow the food that feeds the world.

Positive Vibes
Positive Vibes Only

"Positive Vibes Only" is an Educational Monster Comedy Short series, aimed at teaching audiences better coping skills for dealing with mental health issues. Each installment is about a different condition, so each one has a different monster to deal with; this first installment is all about Intrusive Thoughts and Depression.

Late Diagnosed
Late Diagnosed

Matt often didn’t recognize himself in photos and never really understood why—until one day his loss of hearing helped him see more clearly. This educational video breaks down what living with auditory processing disorder can feel like, as well as the complicated feelings that come with this and other diagnoses.

Nowhere to go
Nowhere to Go

Forced to flee their camp, a group of unsheltered residents must find a new home in a city that rejects them.

A Rainbow too
A Rainbow Too

Ramon is a young dutch man who had a difficult start in life. After serious health problems, he took it upon himself to make a living from his passion by becoming a fishing rod maker. Today, he takes time for himself to foil the big trout of the Oosvoorsee Meer, with one of his own creations. But as he knows, life always offers new challenges...

What is Frame of Mynd?

Frame of Mynd is a bold public awareness campaign spotlighting powerful mental health success stories from real Utah voices. From grassroots advocates to high-profile changemakers, we’re capturing the full spectrum of impact — because every story matters.

Each featured advocate will be part of the Frame of Mynd Collage, a dynamic visual tribute to lived experience and resilience. They’ll step in front of the lens with a self-portrait and a curated environmental shot in their recharge space — a space that reflects their personal journey with mental health.

Alongside striking visuals, each spotlight will include an interview, practical tips, and go-to resources — all premiering at Focus on Fests, May 2025. This is more than a showcase. It’s a movement.

Who will be in The Frame of Mynd?

But that's not all for 2025! Join us in September for Recovery Month, and a special October showcase focusing on Autism elevation!

Mental Health - Autism - Recovery - Disability - Suicide Prevention

Full details coming soon

Why Focus on Fests?

Our film events offer a unique blend of education, creativity, and community impact designed to inspire and empower.

Enjoy powerful advocacy films—narrative, documentary, and experimental—many featuring exclusive premieres. Take part by sharing your story, screening your film, or showcasing your art. Together, we’re building stronger, more connected communities.

Focus on Fridays

But the topics explored with Focus on Fests don’t just happen once a year in real life! So join us on the first Friday of each month for a special lunch and learn mini showcase film and interview.

Check out the Feel Reels page for past episodes.

How to get involved?

Program schedule above

Submit Ideas
Perform
Watch Past Films
Absent+of+Me-main
Absent of Me

"Absent of Me" is a short documentary that offers a look into the lives of nine individuals across 5 U.S. states and 3 countries who live with a little-known mental health condition known as depersonalization disorder. 

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Alpha House

Addiction and mental health go hand in hand. our documentary shorts  deal with addiction and mental health. Alpha House has helped may men stay clean and build their lives back up and no one knows this more than Andrew McLeod. 

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The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys is a 2024 short film written, directed, and produced by Bryan young. It tells the story of a young man haunted by the events of his past and has a fateful visit to his local cemetery. 

en-attendant-zorro-main
Waiting for Zorro

Hidden within the confines of family homes, the parents of children with severe additional support needs dream of finding a long-term place or assistance from services that can welcome and support their loved ones. 

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The Razor's Edge

Highlights the daily struggles faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty, and the many respected organizations in Michigan, Florida, and Washington D.C. that provide essential support services, such as food, shelter, housing, and comprehensive assistance to those in need. 

art-is-the-cure-main
Art is the Culture

Explores the store of its creator Rich Simmons, from art therapy, to an art career, and back to art therapy. This inspiring story explains the thoughts, emotions, and passions that went into creating this creative movement. 

Louie+Shoes-main
Louie's Shoes

Louis, 8 and a half years old, is autistic. he arrives at his new school and is about to introduce himself. 

Untitled+design-main
Inside Our Autistic Minds

Featuring the creative talents of autistic adults and how they communicate to enhance their community and those closest to them. 

Disability-main
Disability in Focus

Disability In Focus is a documentary short that offers an intimate look into how portrait photography tells the stories of individuals with disabilities. 

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David Again

The story of David Dennis, his road to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, and his lifelong friendship with actor Jon Cryer. It is a story about redemption, the power of friendship, and the promise that it is never too late to ask for help. 

the-feast-main
The Feast

It's just another (excruciating) meal for Vienna - until an offer to conquer her greatest fear in '3 simple steps' arrives. Desperate for freedom from her fear of eating, Vienna takes the offer up - only to realize she bit off far more than she can chew. 

Promise+Poster_Web_Laurels-main
promise

A short experimental dance film exploring the intersection of prescription opioid abuse and grief. 

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Focus on Fests is a Mental Healthy F.i.T. Program

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