Directing Change

2024 Regional Judging - Through the Lens of Culture

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Dear Judge,

We encourage you to seek personal support if you become troubled by the content of this category. If you experience an emotional crisis, there are people available to help you by calling or texting 988 for the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The entry you are judging is a 60-second film in the Through the Lens of Culture category. The film may cover mental health or suicide prevention topics. Suicide and mental health are complex and sensitive subjects which needs to be addressed with compassion and knowledge. This category has special content that must be included and specific content that must be avoided for the safety of and respect for the audience.

At any point if you are experiencing technical difficulties with the website, or have questions regarding the category description, please email Dori@directingchange.info.

In advance, we appreciate your time.

Title

Who Am I to Complain

Grade

9

A note from the youth artist about their submission

The eldest daughter struggles with the constant pressure and responsibilities her Vietnamese immigrant family places on her. She is expected to succeed in getting high grades, taking care of siblings, and maintaining a calm composure. After asking her mother for mental health help, her mother dismisses her concerns and lectures her on sacrifices. When the stress of everything builds up on her, all it takes is one person, like a classmate from an English project, to offer help or comfort. Per the mental health category, this film shows someone struggling with mental health due to stress from family, school, and perfection. When someone decides to get help initially, her concerns are ignored. However, she doesn't lose hope and decides to get help, especially talking with a supportive peer. Adding on, this film includes English captions to ensure deaf persons can also enjoy the film. Next, the film explores the culture of the Vietnamese immigrant family, specifically from the lens of the eldest daughter.

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Messaging Scoring Measures

1. Does the film include a resource?*
(Mark “Yes” if the film includes a resource such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or another resource). Please note: most films visually include a resource on the final end slate.

2. How well does the film explore suicide prevention or mental health through the lens of a particular culture?

There are many different definitions for culture, but here is the one we are going to use for the purposes of providing direction to our filmmakers: Culture is the characteristics and perspectives of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, ethnicity, nationality, religion, cuisine, social habits, sexual orientation, gender identity, a shared experience, music, arts and more. And when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention culture can influence how and if we talk about these topics, whether or not we seek help, what kind of help and from whom.

When reviewing this film, consider if the film does a good job of connecting culture to suicide prevention, mental health, mental illness, or help-seeking. A film might do a wonderful job in presenting information about or from the perspective of a particular culture, but does it also make a connection to how this influences suicide prevention, mental health, or help-seeking? And vice versa, a film might do a great job at talking about mental health and suicide prevention, but does it talk about these topics through the lens of culture?

Please enter a number from 0 to 25.

3. Does the film do a good job of not oversimplifying the causes for suicide/mental health challenges OR how to get better?

When judging this specific criterion, please consider that the film should not oversimplify the causes for suicide, the causes for mental health challenges/illnesses, or oversimplify how to get better from a mental health challenge or suicidal thoughts.
It is okay to talk about life problems in general, or those associated with a particular culture, that may increase a person’s risk of suicide such as increased stigma or lack of support, and to talk about cultural issues as a possible contributing factor to why a young person might be feeling hopeless, or showing other warning signs for suicide, but the film should not point to a person’s culture, sexual orientation, gender, or other factors as the cause of suicide. The truth is that not one thing “causes” suicide, usually a person is dealing with multiple tough situations and is showing warning signs.

Please enter a number from 0 to 10.

4. Does the film communicate a message that inspires the viewer to take action?

Think of it this way: After someone watches this film what are they asked to do? Will the film inspire them to feel, act or think differently? Here are a few examples, but these are not meant to be exclusive:
  • Explore how the way that we think and talk about mental health or suicide can be influenced by generational differences. The call to action could be to ask parents/caregivers to be more supportive if a young person in their life is struggling with their mental health.
  • Demonstrate the importance of belonging, support, and strength that can come from being part of a cultural groups and supportive relationships. The call to action could be to engage in cultural connection or reflect on how these connections can improve one’s mental health.
  • Show examples of cultural healing practices that can help someone cope with mental health challenges or emotional pain. The call to action could be to learn about coping strategies and finding the one that works for them.
  • Encourage people to seek help and show how this might look different depending on our culture and the way we were brought up. The call to action could be to seek help and for others to support this help-seeking.
Please enter a number from 0 to 10.

5. Does the film include captioning?

Films are encouraged to be submitted in languages other than English, but all films in this category are required to include captioning, even if the film is in English.

Mark “yes” if the film meets one of these criteria:
  • The film is in English and includes captioning in English
  • The film is in a language other than English and includes captioning in English
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Technical and Creative Measures

Please enter a number from 0 to 15.
Please enter a number from 0 to 10.
Please enter a number from 0 to 10.
Please enter a number from 0 to 5.
If you are experiencing an emotional crisis, are thinking about suicide or are concerned about a friend, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7)