Getting Creative About Mental Health panel discussion (Gilles Reboux, Sam Joly, Adam Morse, and Amy Shepherd)
The World Health Organization was invited for a special session organised by Think Film Impact Production at the 76th Cannes Festival 2023 (France), most probably the first time that such an opportunity occurs while WHO celebrated its 75th anniversary just one month before, both institutions being almost the same age! This is thanks to the Health for All Film Festival being more and more identified in the film industry with our prestigious jury of critically acclaimed artists from the cinema and music domains.
On 19 May 2023, the panel discussion “Getting Creative About Mental Health” covered the necessary aspects to inspire the creative sector by exploring the needs, challenges, and positive actions being taken globally for good mental health representation and consideration in the film industry.
For this occasion, Sharon Stone recorded a message to support WHO's action in promoting health through film, especially on mental health issues, and how they have been widely covered through our Health for All Film Festival. Sharon Stone joined its jury in 2022 and 2023.
As WHO's Health for All Film Festival leader, Gilles Reboux highlighted WHO's mental health report and how the media and the filmmakers can be both creative and responsible about the messages and stories they convey on this topic. Mental health is indeed a major topic in the film industry like in society at large, as 1 in 8 persons in the world faces a mental health condition. Scriptwriters, directors, and on-screen talent carry a responsibility to care for the mental health of those involved in their production, and for the audiences later watching their films.
The discussion was moderated by Amy Shepherd, Think-Film Impact Production COO, and Gilles Reboux was joined by the two following speakers: Sam Joly, Head of Marketing & Publicity at See Saw Films (Florian Zeller’s “The Son” feat. Hugh Jackman), and Adam Morse (Director of upcoming feature “Shades of Blue”).