The 2025 Open Mind Film Festival will be held on Sunday, April 27 at The James Bridges Theater on the UCLA campus. Selected films will be screened and the following prizes will be awarded to the top three films:  First Prize: $1,000, Second Prize: $600, and

Friends Choice Award: $400 

The festival is seeking submissions of short films (5 minutes or less) on the topic of mental health and wellness. We invite current high school students in the US to join the important conversation surrounding teen mental health by submitting short films (5 minutes or less) that highlight your experiences and tell us your unique story.  Previous films have addressed bullying, gun violence, social media, eating disorders, gender identity and more. 

The deadline to submit films is March 27, 2025.  All eligible films will be screened by the Friends of Semel film festival committee and the finalist films will be judged by a panel  made up of members of the entertainment industry and mental health professionals.  

Please email us at OpenMindFilmFest@gmail.com to ask any questions.