I had the honour of acting in this short film.
#DepressionHurts wins Best Shorts Competition, California, USA
Dublin,Ireland, May 1, 2012…#DepressionHurts video has won a prestigious Award of Merit from the Best Shorts Competition,California. The award was given for the special purpose video created by a volunteer team to highlight awareness of mental illness and depression.
The project and film was made with the support volunteers from social media network Twitter, who together with producer Norah Bohan and director Alan Lavender helped co-ordinate Ireland’s first 24/7 Twitter helpline for depression and suicide, which ran for the nine days of Christmas and New Year 2011.
Lavender said, “We called the video ‘It Starts With You’ – because it does! It’s how YOU think and behave that either adds to the hurt of depression or suicide or helps the sufferers. We know to change attitude & remove stigma to depression and suicide, ‘It Starts With You’ and we hope lots of ‘You’ will decide to be part of the change.
”Winning the Best Shorts Award of Merit is a tremendous boost to our team. It will certainly help us continue with our important project.”
Winning the Award of Merit has given added excitement to Lavender and Bohan in a this week that also saw them launch the #depresionHurts Irelandwebsite. www.depressionhurtsireland.com
The Best Shorts Competition recognises film professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film industry. Information about the Best Shorts Competition and a list of recent winners can be found at www.bestshorts.net.
In winning best short laurels, #depressionhurts joins the ranks of other high profile winners of this internationally respected award.
Thomas Baker Ph.D, who chaired the Best Shorts Competition, had this to say about the latest winners: “Best Short Laurels are not easy to win. Entries are received from around the world. The best shorts competition helps set the standard for craft and creativity. The judges were pleased with the exceptionally high quality of entries. The goal of the Best Shorts Competition is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve.”
The film credits:
Producer Norah Bohan, Director and Screenplay Alan Lavender, Director of Photography Gary Fox, Lighting Phil McFadden, Associate Director Edward White, Makeup Wai Har Tsang, Graphic Designer Darragh Kelly, Editor Derek Flynn, Musical director Patrick Cushe The band: Heather Condren, Derek Flynn, David O’Connor, Kev Quarrell. Cast: Donal Creaner, Julian Judge, Mairead Doyle, Laura O’Brien, Maura Donohoe and Jillian Godsil.
www.depressionhurtsireland.com
The new website can be accessed at www.depressionhurtsireland.com and it provides a wealth of comprehensive information, useful links and valuable support to users, including real life stories and experiences of those affected by the illness. Specialist sections exist with content for Employees, Employers and Trades Unions to support them in the treatment of Mental Health within the workplace, an area where stigma is seen to be a major problem.
The site also provides a downloadable Helpful Hints section, including cut out and carry card with hints and contact details for emergency use.
http://www.depressionhurtsireland.com/uploads/1/1/3/6/11367382/dph_helpful_hints.pdf
ENDS
Info: Norah Bohan 0044 7976 601885 @TalentCoop
Alan Lavender – 00353 87 8524903 @AlanCeltic
