Kuala Lumpur, 14 May 2022 – The Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing (CMHW) and Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) “My Mind On Film” (MMOF) Youth Mental Health Film Festival held its 2021-2022 Screening and Awards Ceremony at GSC Tropicana Gardens Mall earlier today. The film festival opened opportunities for young talents to showcase their ideas, talents, and craft in telling important stories that put the spotlight on mental health.
Special guests at the Screening and Awards Ceremony included Ms Koh Mei Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Screen Cinemas and Dr Gerard J. Louis, Chief Executive Officer of HELP Education Services (HES) and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Mental Health) at HELP University.
My Mind On Film was started by the Centre of Mental Health and Wellbeing (CMHW) on World Mental Health Day in October 2020, with GSC collaborating for this second season to engage more filmmakers and take their work to the big screen. Season 2’s festival was themed “Heart and Mind”, encouraging high schoolers and young adults, both locally and internationally, to submit films supporting MMOF’s objectives of inspiring the sharing of ideas, recognising that mental health is universal and includes the positive, and breaking down stigma. The submitted films demonstrated remarkable talent through a breadth of genres, styles, and messages.
The Grand Prize (Malaysian Young Adult Category), Ahmad Shah walked away with a cash prize of RM 10,000 and RM 30, 000 funding to produce a mental health PSA short film to be screened at GSC theatres, with full production support from the exhibitor. The winners will also be given exciting opportunities such as industry placements, HELP University study awards, and more. The Season 2 My Mind On Film Festival winners are as follows:
- International Young Adult Category – Céline Ufenast [@Scroll_Alice]
- Malaysian High School Category – Sameer Monn [Blue.]
- Malaysian Young Adult Category – Ahmad Shah [Halfway Down]
- Outstanding Mental Health Awareness Message Award – Adlin Norafiqah Mohamed [Dear Kakak]
“My Mind on Film is an extension of what GSC has embarked on with the “Hello, We Can!” campaign last year, where we galvanised Malaysians to spread positivity and kindness through social media. It is also key in supporting Malaysian arts and film; integral in finding the gems amongst youth filmmakers, giving them the opportunity to showcase their ideas, talents, and craft, raising awareness and putting the spotlight on important stories around mental health,” said Ms. Koh Mei Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Golden Screen Cinemas.
The screening and awards ceremony was preceded by a filmmaking workshop organized for MMOF participants. Esteemed experts from the Malaysian filmmaking industry offered a wide range of presentations sharing their experiences. Namely, Tunku Mona Riza, International Award-winning Film Director and Executive Producer of Current Pictures; Anna Har, Executive Director of Freedom Film Network; and GSC Movies Chief Operating Officer, Tung Yow Kong. This was followed by an interactive panel discussion featuring local directors Feisal Azizuddin, Adam Zainal, and Kroll Azry covering topics such as- cinematography and filmography.
About the My Mind On Film Festival
My Mind On Film (MMOF) festival is Malaysia’s first Youth Mental Health Short Film Festival. This project is central to the Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing’s commitment to engage with young people, hear their voices and work together for progress. It combines the emphases on inspiration, expression, understanding and stigma reduction with a focus on the local Malaysian context.
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About the Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing
The Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing (CMHW) is a collaboration between HELP University and the Malaysian Mental Health Association started in 2020 to support mental health and wellbeing through research, training, and education. Combining the academic strengths of Malaysia’s largest psychology department and the grassroots reach of the country’s best-established non-profit, CMHW has a unique capacity to innovate and enhance mental health and wellbeing. For more information visit https://university.help.edu.my/cmhw/
About Golden Screen Cinemas
Golden Screen Cinemas Sdn. Bhd. (GSC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the PPB Group (a member of the Kuok Group), operating a total of 590 screens in 70 locations across Malaysia and Vietnam, with 482 screens in 52 locations in Malaysia, and 108 screens in 18 locations in Vietnam through a partnership with Galaxy Studio. As the leading cinema exhibitor in Malaysia, GSC delivers innovative, integrated, and enriching lifestyle experiences through state-of-the-art cinematic technologies, merchandising, F&B, events, and more. GSC also owns Aurum Theatre, a boutique luxury cinema unlike any other in Malaysia, featuring opulent seats, bespoke service, and continental dining. For more information, log on to www.gsc.com.my or check out GSC’s social media @gscinemas for the latest updates.
MMOF sponsor, the National Coalition of Mental Wellbeing (NCMW), provides signposting to a wide range of helplines and other mental health services.
For media enquiries, please contact:
HELP University
Juliet Chan
Director, Corporate Communication
Mobile: +6012 625 0207
Email: juliet.chan@help.edu.my
Golden Screen Cinemas
Noordiana Ibrahim
Senior Executive, PR & Branding
Mobile: +6019 313 2310
Email: noordiana.ibrahim@gsc.com.my
Sharmine Ishak
Manager, PR & Branding
Mobile: +6016 675 8729
Email: sharmine.ishak@gsc.com.my