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Deets: The event showcases short films created by high school students expressing their views on mental health and wellness. The festival is presented by The Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living with mental health issues.

This creative forum is open to students in grades 9 – 12 throughout the United States. Eligible submissions include all forms of film, such as narratives, documentaries, animations, music videos, and public service announcements on the topic of youth mental health and wellness, with a run time of five (5) minutes or less.

Previous films have addressed social media pressure, bullying, gun violence, eating disorders, gender identity, and additional critical topics surrounding mental health. Since the festival's inception in 2020, over 1,200 films have been submitted by high school students from across the country. Awards have been given to student filmmakers from California, Texas, Arkansas, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington.

Who You May Spot: Gia Carides, Peter Roth, Jeremy Kramer, Vanessa Roth, Jon Fitzgerald, Sarah Gilman, Zach Gottlieb, and Meera Varma 

Hint for the Average Socialite: Registration is open. Admission is free.

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