a mental health film festival.

our mission.

At its core, create/M is driven to change the narrative around mental health, break stigma, and share the real story of the human experience through creative expression. Through community building, film, art, media, performance, and creative work more broadly, create/M is dedicated to fostering dialogue among mental health professionals, innovators, artists, and individuals directly affected by mental illness through the use of creative media and storytelling.

what to expect.

• short film & Digital media

  A curated selection of short film and digital media that share the human experience behind mental health issues and challenges.

• EXPERT PANELS

  Industry leading panels with top mental health professionals, creators, and innovators at the cutting edge of their fields.

• Keynote speaker

  Presented by an industry expert, our featured speaker will share a powerful perspective surrounding mental health and the power of creativity through lived experience.

• Meet & Greet

  Connect with value-aligned professionals, mental health colleagues, creatives and artists to create a home for the convergence of the field of mental health and artistic expression.

• DIGITAL ART INSTALLATION

  A showcase of impactful digital art will be featured throughout festival events, sparking conversation and connection.

• Awards

  Judged by a panel of health professionals and film industry experts, we will award a select group of short film by way of our unique and specific criteria.

artistic assessment.

Founded and led by leading clinicians with deep respect for the healing power of creative expression, our team selects films that speak to a unique and specific set of criteria. Our film selections are not based on traditional cinematic and artistic excellence. We review and select them based on their ability to tell your story, in a real and authentic way. We celebrate film that has an inherent ability to make a viewer feel what someone else has experienced. We applaud an artist who brings us into their world, and starts a conversation. Ultimately, it is our dream and aspiration to share the stories that impact and improve another’s daily practice of awareness, mindfulness, and wellbeing.

• Films with impact.

  We are featuring short film and storylines that offer a unique perspective into a personal experience with mental health. We want to hear your story - good, bad, all of it.

• Style that tells a story.

  Cinematography and creative style that creates or enhances the overall message the artist wants to convey.

• Communication.

  Short film that exhibit a strong point of view that creates a clear line of communication with the viewer.

• Motivation for change.

  We feature story narratives that address unmet needs in the health and medical field, illuminate the unsaid challenges with family or friends, and articulate the human experience of all of the varied ways mental health has impacted your life. A story told in your own voice, through your perspective, to enable a deeper understanding and connection with those around you.

timeline & details.

Festival dates: DECEMBER 3-5 2026 film festival

Location: Regal Cinemas Union Square, 850 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

TICKETS / Coming soon

• Opening Date: March 31, 2026
• Earlybird Deadline: June 1, 2026
• Regular Deadline: August 1, 2026
• Late Deadline: October 1, 2026
• Notification Date: October 15, 2026

Published program information

We are currently accepting submissions for short film and digital media that explores, illuminates, and brings to the forefront the breadth of emotional impact that comes with experiencing mental health related issues and challenges. We are not selecting films based on traditional cinematic and artistic excellence - we are awarding films that exemplify a unique and specific set of criteria. We celebrate creative work that tells your story in a way that brings us into your world and transforms another’s daily practice of awareness, mindfulness and wellbeing.

• Curated Short Films

  Short Films

  10–15 carefully selected films spanning documentary, narrative, and experimental formats — each offering unique perspectives on mental health lived experiences.

• Digital Media Showcase

  Digital Media

  Interactive installations and digital artworks that engage audiences in innovative ways, creating memorable emotional connections and conversations.

• Artist Conversations

  Conversations

  Post-screening discussions, filmmaker Q&As, and mental health expert panels that deepen understanding and foster community dialogue.

let's change the narrative, together.

Join our team of sponsors and help us launch our first ever film festival this December. Your contribution and collaboration are 100% used to support the event initiative.

For sponsorship inquiries, create@mentalhealthmediagroup.com.

Frequently asked questions

create/M Film Festival is a mental health film festival exploring authentic human experiences through film, art and digital media.