Healthy Minds > Frames of Mind

Frames of Mind

On the 30th March 2007 the winners of the Frames of Mind short film competition were announced at a ‘mini-oscars' events on the Queens Film Theatre in Belfast. It was hosted by BBC Northern Ireland's Joe Lindsay and David O'Reilly (ATL's Rigsy) presented the awards on the night.

Over 100 people were in attendance to watch the debut screening of the final 20 short films. The creativity of the film-makers was inspiring and the judges had a difficult time selecting the final four winners so well done to all who entered. The winners all get to attend a coveted BBC Blast Film-Making Master Class during the summer and we wish them all the best with it.

Here's what the judges had to say about the winners…

13 and Under

" Healthy Minds" by Claire McGowan, Jenny Coates and Ruari McGowan.

“Such joy and humour in this energetic film. It was an instructional film, but delightfully presented and well constructed.  The location was used in an imaginative way, there was energy in almost every shot, either because the subjects were moving or the camera was.  The messages were clear and they were often acted as well as stated and throughout the theme of "mental wellbeing" was being brought to us creatively and inspirationally.  It simply oozed happiness and brought a smile to us all.  Excellent.”

16 and Under

"Talking With Aspergers" by Andrew Hanratty-Mullan and Chris McGlade

The judges were impressed with the concise style, the use of animation and locations in this film.  Both the presenter and the subject were extremely personable and the judges felt that they had been given a small and positive insight into a young life. A personal documentary told with wit and honesty and illustrating how the central character is supported at school and has come to terms with his condition.

19 and Under

“ Mental Health” created by Mark Robinson and Dale Gallagher.

This was a larger field and one that the judges found challenging and once again they ‘Highly Recommened' two films. These were "Mental Minute"  by James McGill, James Lee, Ryan Morgan, Fionnuala Scullion, James Henry, Tony Sweeney, Alice Doherty and " Wilde Oscar by Dean Kelly, Phil Corrigan, Phillip Rainey and Chris McCollam.

But both of these films were edged out by a most cinematic film with its images of a young man clearly alone and depressed even within a busy school.  The informative captions did not detract from the imagery and the final scene when the young man answered his phone and raised his eyes to look directly at the camera, for the only time, strongly conveyed the message of hope; that there was a way to connect, understand and help him.  It was an accomplished and sophisticated film.

Special Schools

"12 Steps to a Healthy Mind" by Mark Lewis, Niall Bradley and Joshua Nelson.

Another wonderfully upbeat film.  Each of the performers was an individual who made a huge impact on the viewer.  Some of the performance was hilarious, but the highlight was the slipping captions and the reaction of each character.  One of the highlights in the competition as a whole.  The concept was simple, but it is an incredibly difficult skill for a group to perform in one simple camera set up.  The confidence, good natured enjoyment and energy of the trio made this an uplifting film with a strong message; and clearly one the cast understood.