Mental health comes into focus as record numbers compete in our annual Frame of Mind short film and TikTok competition.
Record number of entries
We are delighted to announce the winners of our annual Frame of Mind short film competition.
Now in its seventh year, Frame of Mind invites schools and amateur filmmakers to promote a positive mental health message through film, and, at this challenging time, the competition has never been more important.
With almost 100 entries received, this record high number has highlighted the focus people are currently placing on mental health. The competition was open to secondary schools and budding filmmakers alike, who were asked to create a short film of up to three minutes long which shares affirming mental health messages or addresses misconceptions about mental health difficulties. This year’s competition also included its first ever TikTok category, just for schools.
Although filmmakers were asked to follow public health guidance, COVID-19 restrictions did not hinder the creative talents of the entrants. The winners were announced today at a celebratory awards ceremony which showcased their thought-provoking, inspirational films. The awards ceremony was premiered on Youtube, and is now available to view below.
Category winners and runners-up
Winners in each category receive a €1,000 prize and runners-up receive €500, with all selected by the competition's judges from the shortlisted entries.
This year's judging panel included Movies Editor of the RTÉ Guide, Michael Doherty; Sean Fitzpatrick of the Service User and Supporters Council (SUAS) of St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS); Tom Maher, Director of Services at SPMHS; and Tamara Nolan, Director of Communications and Advocacy at SPMHS.
Both the winning and runner-up schools in the inaugural Secondary School | TikTok category are from Limerick, with John the Baptist Community School claiming the top prize with its entry, Let's Talk about Mental Health, while Salesian Secondary School took the runner-up prize for Tips to Get Through Lockdown.
The first-place winner of the Secondary School | Short Film category is St Louis Secondary School, Monaghan for Hidden Struggles, while the runner-up prize was secured by John the Baptist Community School, Limerick with Mind Your Mind.
Meanwhile, the top prize in the General category goes to Honor Lynch and her family for their film The Run, with Rachel Gregan awarded runner-up with her film Positive Mental Health.
Uplifting content
With the new TikTok category proving to be the most popular category for this year’s competition, accounting for almost 50% of all entrants, judge Tamara Nolan said: “We were delighted to receive such a high level of engagement this year, particularly from educators and young people, who, despite being faced with school closures and extraordinary challenges, have shown their commitment to prioritising mental health and wellbeing promotion, and to finding innovative ways to collaborate on film-making from their virtual classrooms."
"Social media platforms like TikTok have been growing their influence worldwide since the pandemic began, with people looking for new ways to come together and connect socially while staying physically apart. The response and creativity shown reflects the appetite that exists to use these online communities to connect, and to create positive, uplifting and educational content to share with our peers.”Fellow returning judge, Sean Fitzpatrick, said: “While we all continue to live with the pandemic and its challenges to our mental wellbeing, this year’s Frame of Mind competition is particularly meaningful as it highlights people’s ongoing dedication to promoting positive mental health and ensuring wellbeing is a top priority. I would encourage everyone to take time to view these videos, as there is something that will resonate with all ages, and many reflect how we are all feeling at the moment.”
