December 3, 2013 ILLNESS – a short film with a big message - wins the American Experience Award along with a cash prize at the Flatland Film Festival. To date this short film has won over a dozen film festivals both in the US and abroad with the most notable being Best Short Film at Gulf Coast Film Festival, Best Actress (Cheryl Allison) and Best Actor (Noah Silverman) at Northwest Ohio Independent Film Festival and Best Performance by a Leading Actress (Cheryl Allison) at Southampton International Film Festival in England.
ILLNESS is a coming of age short drama about Timothy, a young teenager who struggles with depression, anxiety and mood disorder. The painful challenges of Timothy’s every day life take their toll on his parents’ marriage and the well being of his younger brother, Jessie. As Timothy becomes increasingly fragile and unable to cope with his life, his family’s world starts to unravel.
“What stands out about ILLNESS is that it’s not just about entertainment and storytelling; this short film has become an vehicle to raise aware and educate the public on children with mental illness” said Host Kurt Kelly after interviewing ILLNESS Producer Carina Rush and Actress Cheryl Allison on Actors eChat/Actors Entertainment last month in Los Angeles.
According to the World Health Organization: mental illness is the number one disability in the world. In fact, 1 out of 5 children in the US suffer from a mental health disorder with only 20% of those who suffer actually receiving the treatment they need. “These are just statistics that we can no longer afford to ignore.” said Associate Producer Randi Silverman in a Huffington Post interview with Greg Allen. “People are uncomfortable with things they don't understand. The only way to ease that discomfort is to educate and talk openly and honestly. Because of the notoriety ILLNESS has gained in just a few months, we are developing a program around the short film to be used for education and awareness.” she added.
Silverman went on to say; “One of my children suffered from mental illness and I have become very vocal in raising awareness and educating the public. I spent hours on the phone with ILLNESS producer Carina Rush and Writer / Director, Jonathan Bucari. We spoke at length about how to make the film as close to reality as possible. I was honored that they listened very carefully to my story and later brought me on as Associate Producer with my son playing the lead role in the film. This film has raised awareness both in the US and internationally. I believe it has had such a broad appeal because mental illness does not discriminate based on socio-economic or racial classifications.”
With the success of the short film, ILLNESS producers have announced the development of the feature length version also written by Writer / Director, Jonathan Bucari and set to begin shooting in early Summer 2014.
The ILLNESS team will be heading back to Los Angeles on December 6, 2013 where the short will screen at The HollyShorts monthly film series at the famous Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA.
“We are so excited for our film to be shown at this historic theatre!” said ILLNESS lead actress, Cheryl Allison. It’s an opportunity for the film community to see our short film with a BIG MESSAGE and hopefully spark further conversation and raise awareness about mental illness.”
The trailer for ILLNESS can be seen on You Tube at www.youtube.com/illnessthemovie
For tickets to see ILLNESS at HollyShorts December 6, 2013 go to: http://hollyshorts.com/screenings
ILLNESS on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/illnessthemovie
ILLNESS on Twitter: @illnessthemovie
To read the entire Huffington Post interview with Greg Allen go to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gregory-g-allen/bringing-mental-illness-o_b_4101885.html
Company Name: Demian Pictures
Contact Person: Linda Kruse
Email:Send Email
Phone: (818) 370-4649
Country: United States
Website: http://hollyshorts.com/screenings
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