This eclectic selection showcases titles in various genres and styles by talented filmmakers based in Scotland.

All rooted in personal experiences, they explore themes of neurodiversity, cultural identity, body image, stigma, discrimination and poverty, giving an insight into the issues that most affect our mental health in Scotland.

This screening includes an in-person discussion with Marta Massa (What Remains), Steven Fraser (Prosopagnosia), Maria Viola Craig (Killing Myself Laughing), Sean Lìonadh (Too Rough) and Douglas King (Do No Harm).

Screening Programme

Prosopagnosia, Steven Fraser, Scotland, 10m

Through the use of stop-motion animation, sketchbooks, photographs and diary extracts writer, animator and artist, Steven Fraser shares his personal feelings and reflections on living with prosopagnosia, also known as “face blindness”.

Content Notes: Brief sexual references

Bahar, Maryam Hamidi, Scotland, 15m, Persian, English

It has been 10 years since the death of Narges’ daughter and she continues to feel her presence acutely through every crevice of her life and home. When her son Navid returns home from university, she forced to grapple with her inability accept her loss.

Content Notes: References to death; Hallucinations

Killing Myself Laughing, Maria Viola Craig, Scotland, 11m, English

Margaret is a vibrant woman in her 70s, full of life with the most contagious laugh, but behind her laughter is someone who has been struggling with depression. After she reaches out to the infamous Patch Adams clown doctor, she finds a new way to work through her illness.

Content Notes: Description of suicide attempt, Description of being sections and electro-convulsive therapy (ECT)

Do No Harm, Douglas King, Scotland, 15m, English

Highly regarded scientist Dr Beth Anderson puts her career on the line in pursuit of an out-of-date sandwich to avoid admitting she has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) to her colleagues.

Too Rough, Sean Lìonadh, Scotland, 15m, English

After a night of intoxication, a hungover and hysterical Nick wakes up next to his boyfriend Charlie and must conceal him from his own homophobic and dysfunctional family.

Content Notes: Heavy alcohol use, references to childhood abuse and neglect and homophobia.

What Remains, Marta Massa, Scotland, 10m, English and Italian with English subtitles

An emotional, sensorial and narrative piece following the journey of two women as they reflect on their relationship to their body through childhood and as they entered adulthood contending with the ever present gaze and attempt to reclaim their presence in a physical and unshakeable way.