Selected Films - International

 Announcing the Official International Selections for the 2025 Multicultural Mental Health Film Festival! We proudly present a diverse line-up of international short films exploring mental health and multiculturalism through powerful storytelling. Join us on Friday, October 31st at 6:00pm at ACMI, Gandel Digital Future Lab 1, Level 1 – Melbourne for a very special evening: the Awards Night, where we will celebrate both our Australian and International filmmakers and present this year’s festival awards.

Disclaimer: This stills contain content related to mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, suicidal ideation and self-harm. Viewer discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. Call Lifeline 13 11 14.

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. Her words reveal the depth of her isolation and the hopelessness of feeling all this pain bleed out of her without anyone noticing.

The film deals with the topic of experiencing difficult emotions related to the loss of loved ones and coping with it. Together with the 12-year-old heroine Krysia, we go on a journey through places and times that were, which are not, and which we want to remember. The film, based on a story by Katarzyna Jackowska-Enemuo, supports young viewers in meeting their own emotional “black holes” and brings relief. The film is intended for children aged 10–12, but its profound meaning and contexts allow people over 12 years old to experience a journey within themselves and history.

“Palestine Lentils” is a documentary film that tells the story of a Palestinian chef and his role in using his hobby as a shield against the famine caused by the war on Gaza, preserving the spirit of resilience and hope within his community.

Young model Lone (30) is under immense pressure: her pushy agent Casper keeps lining up jobs for her, even though Lone can no longer handle the stress. After yet another uncomfortable photoshoot in which she is treated like a piece of meat, Lone hopes to finally find some peace in the only place where she feels safe: her small garden plot on the outskirts of the city. However, Lone makes a bizarre discovery there: a mysterious creature is eating all her plants from underground and threatens to destroy her entire garden. In an effort to protect her sanctuary, Lone engages in a fierce battle with the creature. But when she finally uncovers the creature’s true nature and stares into the source of all her troubles, the truth turns out to be far more shocking than Lone could have imagined.

Gerard has run out of ideas. Is he out of his mind? Maybe he’s lost his head… He sets out to find it.

The film’s central theme is the condescending attitude of a simple civil servant towards high-ranking government officials. Based on Anton Chekhov’s Death of a Civil Servant, it follows a man who sneezes in a concert hall and embarrasses an official. Despite apologising, the man feels a slavish fear that ultimately proves fatal.