Mental Health Experience

Join us for the Mental Health Experience screenings at the 2026 Little Venice Film Festival: a powerful programme of films exploring anxiety, joy, recovery and resilience. Curated to challenge stigma and spark empathy, these screenings centre lived experience and bold storytelling. Expect moving cinema, safe discussion spaces and moments of connection that stay with you long after the credits roll, for audiences seeking understanding, hope, and shared humanity.

Screening Details:

April 26th 2026. 12:00pm-17:00pm. Venue tbc.

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Featured Films

- Click on images to find out more about each film

Two people are lying on the floor, cuddling. One is wearing a striped shirt, and the other is in a plain shirt. They are in a cozy indoor setting with plants and shelves around them.

cuttings

Chloë Lawrence-Taylor, Paul Sirett I UK I 14 mins 50 seconds

Terrified of the outside, Ed hasn’t left his home in years and his partner, Liv, is losing hope that he ever will.

A woman with dark curly hair floating in water with her eyes closed, surrounded by bubbles, and appearing relaxed.

bleeding

Dany Horiuchi I UK I 5 mins

Mollie, a young woman in her twenties, is struggling with her mental health. She writes a diary entry, pouring out all the emotions she can’t express aloud.

Man with glasses and beard in a black suit talking on a phone against a pinkish wall

The Light Before the Sun

Michael Greyeyes I Canada I 33 mins

After a book tour, self-help guru Daniel spirals with an estranged friend, confronting addiction, fame, mental health, and authenticity alone.

A woman with dark wavy hair looking to the left, holding a phone, in an urban setting at night with illuminated signs and buildings, and a group of people walking, some looking at their phones.

heaven to know you

Philip H Gay I France, United Kingdom I 38 mins 32 seconds

After a traumatic childhood at the hands of her abusive mother and a difficult start to adult life, Lara relocates to NYC to start over.

A young man talking to a woman outdoors with greenery in the background.

survivor

Dion Marcus I Ireland I 16 mins 40 seconds

A professional athlete battles anger and depression, leading to unexpected self-discovery and healing through counselling.

Two young men standing outdoors in front of a large leafy plant, engaging in conversation with friendly expressions. One is drinking from a mug, the other is smiling.

Dylan meets thomas

Anna Lee I UK I 6 mins 49 seconds

Dylan leaves Princeton labeled by mental illness, pursuing theatre work with Thomas, hoping preparation outweighs truths he cannot conceal.

A young girl with brown hair styled in pigtails, wearing a white blouse with a black bow and a red dress, standing in front of a bookshelf.

one in five

Paul Gatto I Canada I 25 mins 03 seconds

In this raw and introspective documentary, a young woman reflects on her struggles with mental health marked by bipolar and borderline personality disorder.

A man in a public restroom wearing a light shirt, looking upwards, with a tense expression, standing near a sink, with bathroom stalls in the background.

forever dying

Niels Fregerslev I Denmark I 9 mins 26 seconds

A nameless character enters a sterile clinic, believing he is terminally ill, descending into a warped reality shaped by anxiety.

Two men engaged in conversation, smiling, in an indoor setting, with others in the background.

men-tal

Miguel Gutierrez I United Kingdom I 16 mins

Men-tal is a raw and powerful exploration of men's mental health, told through the voices of nine men who share their deeply personal journeys.

Three people in a kitchen, one sitting with head down, two standing and talking.

tank

Garath Whyte I United Kingdom I 3 mins 34 seconds

'Tank' is a surreal trip into the internal struggles of a young woman experiencing long-term health issues.