SCREENTALK NJ | Free Film Screenings & Filmmaker Chats (season 2, episode 1)
In honor of May as Mental Health Month, the Queen City Film & Television Workshop has assembled a powerful block of short films to explore various mental health issues facing the community.
Three works from different perspectives, telling the stories of individuals impacted by mental health issues and the devastating effect that it can have if left unchecked.
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The 3 films are:
"Cries of Toronto" by Ash N Neal is an experimental short that depicts the loneliness and painful feelings that a girl endured on a solo trip to Canada.
"East River Story" by Bruce Gorman is a short film about a disgraced Wall Street banker who has arrived at the East River Walk with the intention of killing himself, rather than turn himself in the next morning to go to prison, as arranged by his criminal defense attorney. When he strikes up a conversation with a homeless man, though, as a way to procrastinate, they spend the night reflecting upon their lives and how the two of them came to end up in the same place. With sunrise only hours away, the two men are forced to face certain truths about themselves that will change their lives forever.
"Alone: A poetry film" by Jamal Hodge. Beneath a lonely tree, one man dreams, a remembrance of life in the painful aftermath of his abandonment.
Moderator, Diandra Marie, the visionary behind "Limitless Visions," is a self-taught videographer, cinematographer, and content creator. She's a powerhouse advocate for mental health, amplifying Black, queer, and transgender voices through her captivating work. Diandra's portfolio boasts impactful documentaries like "Strength Faith Courage: Conquering Lupus" and "Psych Nah, I Am NOT My Mental Illness." Diandra Marie's latest projects include "Oh, Black Woman," which includes both a short film and an interview series highlighting the diversity of Black women's narratives, and "Imposter Syndrome," a series where she interviews Creatives, Artists, and Entrepreneurs about their journey and how they combat imposter syndrome. Look out for Season 2 of "Imposter Syndrome" coming this Fall! Her work has been featured in the Lesbionyx blog, the Newark International Film Festival, Mental Health Film Festival, and the Queen City Film Festival. Diandra has also partnered with BronxNet to expand the reach of her content. Recognized as one of dapperQ's "100 Most Stylish dapperQs 2017," she's no stranger to the spotlight, captivating audiences on SiriusXM Satellite Radio's The Frank DeCaro Show and Sway in the Morning. Diandra's journey is one of resilience and empowerment, showcased in her role as Creative Director of Limitless Visions, LLC, where she continues to break boundaries and inspire change.