“It was my honor to be part of the festival again this year hosting and presenting the awards to the well-deserved winners.  I am consistently blown away by the passion, dedication and strength of the directors and talent in sharing their stories. The faces and voices behind the stories bring to life a message of optimism and courageousness that is invaluable to those listening and looking for hope.  With submissions from over 57 different countries from across the globe, it is obvious that there is a need for this type of platform, and we look forward to seeing what next year’s submissions hold! Additionally, I’d like to acknowledge the outstanding work as a mental health advocate by Maurice Benard who received the Cinehealth Lifetime Achievement Award.  It was truly an honor to recognize the important work he has done throughout his life.”

-Tracey Yaw, Cinehealth Festival Director