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The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami-Dade County has announced the return of the Reel Minds Film Festival, a transformative celebration that harnesses the power of film to raise awareness and spark dialogue around mental health.
Now in its sixth year, the festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Little Haiti Cultural Arts Center, a vibrant venue known for its commitment to community and creativity. Miami native Antwon Lindsey, director of the acclaimed film Hush, will return as this year’s emcee.
“Films have the power to connect us to the deepest parts of ourselves and others,” said Kate Edelson, director of Fundraising and Special Events at NAMI Miami-Dade. “Reel Minds is more than a festival – it’s a movement toward healing, understanding, and hope.”
This year’s festival will showcase a curated lineup of nine short films from directors across the United States, Scotland, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Selected from nearly 100 global submissions, the films were chosen for their emotional depth, storytelling quality, and messages of hope – reflecting NAMI’s mission to support, educate, and reduce stigma.
Among the selections is an animated short film from Sony Pictures’ Into the Spider-Verse franchise, featured alongside works by emerging filmmakers from around the world.
Together, the films explore a wide range of mental health challenges, including suicide, eating disorders, body image insecurities, depression, self-isolation, athlete mental struggles, panic attacks, and schizophrenia. They also highlight the critical role of family and community in navigating mental health crises and carving a path forward.
The lineup includes South Florida’s own Sam Evans, director of Will Martin, which tells the story of a young man who overcame depression through pickleball – finding resilience and connection by building community through sport.
Also featured is Someone Loves You, co-written and co-directed by Amanda Mandii and Victoria Perry of New York City. Mandii, a first-generation Jamaican with deep family ties to South Florida, sought to shed light on the issues surrounding mental health conditions in the Jamaican community. Together, Mandii and Perry – who is of Mediterranean heritage – focus their writing on authentic, untold stories about their cultures.
New for 2025, the festival will introduce the Chrysalis Award, honoring the film that best embodies the spirit of recovery and resilience. The award will be selected by a distinguished panel of jurors, including:
Mädchen Amick, actress/director/producer and founder, Don’t Mind Me
Rafal Sokolowski, program director, MFA Motion Pictures, University of Miami professor
Ashley Kolaya, director, Mental Health Storytelling Coalition
Cathyana Marcel, Kevin Love Foundation
Suman Ghosh, film director and professor of Economics, Florida Atlantic University
Beyond the screenings, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in panel discussions featuring filmmakers, mental health professionals, and individuals with lived experience. The event is expected to draw over 300 guests, including advocates and community leaders.
On Friday, Oct. 24, NAMI Miami-Dade will host a special pre-festival screening of the feature-length documentary Anxiety Club at Area Stage in South Miami. Directed by Wendy Lobel, the film takes a humorous yet heartfelt look at anxiety through the eyes of some of the most brilliant (and anxious) comedians: Marc Maron, Aparna Nancherla, Mark Normand, Baron Vaughn and Eva Victor.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for both events are now available at Bit.ly/NAMIReelMinds2025. Spaces are limited.
Reel Minds Film Festival: Saturday, October 25, from 1 to 5 p.m., Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 212 NE 59 Ter, Miami, FL 33137. Tickets start at just $15, and parking is free.
Pre-Festival Screening: Anxiety Club: Friday, Oct. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m., Area Stage, South Miami.
Proceeds benefit NAMI Miami’s mission to provide free mental health programming across Miami-Dade County. For more information, visit NAMI Miami’s official festival page: https://namimiami.org/2025-reel-minds-film-festival/ or namimiami.org.
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