Mental
Health Film Festival
Tickets on sale May 30th
2023 Selection
DEAR ANI
A short documentary by Micah Levin featuring the mental health journey of Keith Wasserman through stories, art and music.
MONTREAL
Montreal’s 11th annual
Au Contraire Film Festival
Join us at the Au Contraire Film Festival It’s a transformative experience! Take a step towards eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health.
Explore the different dimensions of people’s lives living with mental challenges through an inspiring selection of films from around the world, handpicked by our jury. But it’s not just about watching movies; we also stimulate dialogue and encourage audience participation.
Engage with directors, filmmakers, and psychiatrists to be a part of the conversation to demystify and destigmatize mental health.
Through the power of film, we can raise awareness, foster empathy and inspire change. Let’s come together and support a world where people are understood, accepted, and embraced for who they are.
The ACFF is a signature initiative of Urban Pardes, a registered charity.
JOIN US
Don't miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this vital movement. Join us today in our mission to make a difference!
PROGRAMS
ACFF 2023 Programs
Programs offered online and on-site
VIRTUAL OR ONSITE SCREENINGS
Corporate Offering
Partner with us to destigmatize mental illness and open conversations that help change the workplace for the better. We are committed to helping companies like yours promote mental health awareness and support workplace health.
GET CONVERSATIONS STARTED
Educational Institutions
Educational institution film screenings and dialogue sessions create an immersive experience for young people. It supports them to understand real-life scenarios and promote empathy, understanding, and compassion towards those with lived experience of mental health challenges.
SHARING FILM EXPERIENCES
M.I.A.W October 1-7, 2023
Mental Illness Awareness Week (M.I.A.W) is a dedicated time when nationally we unite to destigmatize mental health and support our communities. Let us provide you with the tools to spark important conversations, support education, and create a lasting impact in your community.
MISSION
We believe that through the power of film, we can raise awareness, foster empathy, and inspire change. Let's come together and support a world where people with mental health challenges are understood, accepted, and embraced for who they are.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this vital movement. Join us today in our mission to make a difference!
HISTORY
Paradis Urbain
The Au Contraire Film Festival is an initiative of Urban Pardes, a Canadian registered charity whose greater mission is assisting individuals, who, due to their mental illness, are having difficulty moving forward and recovering their lives.
Recognizing the power of creative expression as a catalyst that inspires Montreal citizens to take action, Urban Pardes, through the Au Contraire Film Festival, strives to dispel stereotypes and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
WHY FILM?
The Au Contraire Film Festival is dedicated to promoting a more enlightened perspective and showcasing films that explore the complexities and realities of living with mental health challenges.
Too often, movies can stigmatize or distort mental health concerns, making characters with an issue seem different from everyone else. As a result, people who deal with these issues every day can end up feeling ostracized.
Join us in our mission to break down stereotypes and challenge stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness. The Au Contraire Film Festival is dedicated to promoting a more enlightened perspective and showcasing films that explore the complexities and realities of mental health.
Our impact in numbers
The audience will get a chance to experience the incredible resilience of those featured in the films as well the healing power of love, family and community and the sublimating power of art! And they will be entertained!
Cybil Geracimo
ACFF Curator, Programming Director
Our Sponsors
