In recognition of World Mental Health Day, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Miami-Dade County will harness the power of film and storytelling to raise awareness and spark dialogue around mental health with the return of the Reel Minds Mental Health Film Festival on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex. The annual film festival showcases powerful stories of mental health, resilience and recovery to foster greater understanding, reduce stigma and spark meaningful conversations about mental health.
Held annually on October 10, World Mental Health Day brings global attention to mental health awareness and the importance of creating greater understanding and support for those living with mental health conditions. This year, Reel Minds brings that conversation to the screen through stories that reflect the complexities of mental health and the lived experiences behind them.
“Every story has the power to change how we see mental health, and film has a unique ability to connect us to experiences beyond our own,” said Susan Holtzman, President & CEO of NAMI Miami-Dade. “Reel Minds creates a space where people can see deeply personal stories, talk openly about mental health and recognize the humanity behind every experience. On World Mental Health Day, we hope these stories inspire greater understanding, empathy and connection throughout our community.”
Reel Minds 2026 will feature a curated selection of eight short films from filmmakers across the globe. Selected from more than 60 submissions from around the world, the films were chosen for their depiction of mental health issues and filmmaking artistry. Together, this year’s films explore a wide range of mental health challenges, including childhood trauma, emotional neglect, depression, bipolar disorder, grief and loss, anxiety and fear, intrusive or obsessive thoughts, and the lasting impact of painful experiences. Through stories that range from deeply personal documentaries and intimate conversations to narrative and metaphorical storytelling, the films also examine resilience, recovery, friendship, creativity and the ways individuals find connection and healing during difficult periods of their lives.
Among this year’s selections is the locally produced The Glass Child from Miami-based director Iñaki Amechazurra and producer Samuel Vargas, both graduates of Miami Dade College’s film program. Set in Miami and centered on a Hispanic family whose conversations move naturally between English and Spanish, the deeply personal film draws from Amechazurra’s own experience growing up with an older autistic brother and explores the often-overlooked experience of siblings within families navigating special needs. In the film, Rey, a man in his late twenties, is forced to confront long-buried memories and fractured family relationships when his estranged parents reappear and ask him to visit his terminally ill brother. The story explores childhood trauma, shame, guilt, family dynamics, healing and the complex journey toward forgiveness.
“The Glass Child takes its title from a term describing children whose needs are overlooked because their parents are focused on a sibling with a chronic illness or special needs,” said Amechazurra. “Few stories give voice to the sibling living in the shadows – the glass child – whose emotions are complicated and often dismissed. The Glass Child aims to fill that gap, revealing the emotional truth of being overlooked within one’s own family.”
Also featured is Hard Conversations: Jayla and Malcolm, directed by Marche Howell-Wright and Jahdai Pickett, filmmakers whose work explores mental health issues within the Black community. The film centers on Jayla as she opens up to her fiancé about a traumatic childhood experience and confronts the lasting impact of what she has carried for years. The short film examines how serious trauma can shape our lives and the challenges of sharing those experiences with the people we love.
Several of this year’s featured filmmakers, including The Glass Child director Iñaki Amechazurra and producer Samuel Vargas, as well as Stage Frightened director Patrick McHugh, are expected to attend the festival, giving audiences an opportunity to hear directly from the storytellers behind the films and learn more about the stories and themes that inspired their work.
Following the screenings, attendees are invited to vote on the People’s Choice Award (Monarch Award). Guests will also have the opportunity to engage in discussions with filmmakers, mental health professionals and community members with lived experience, creating a forum for reflection, learning and connection. Miami native Antwon Lindsey, director of the acclaimed film HUSH, will return as this year’s emcee. The event is expected to draw more than 300 guests, including advocates and community leaders.
A distinguished panel of judges will select one film to receive the Chrysalis Award, honoring the film that best embodies the spirit of recovery and resilience through storytelling. This year’s judges include:
Mädchen Amick: acclaimed actress, director, producer and mental health advocate; founder, Don’t Mind Me
Rafal Sokolowski: award-winning filmmaker, Program Director, MFA Motion Pictures, University of Miami professor
Ashley Kolaya: Director, Mental Health Storytelling Coalition
Cathyana Marcel: Mental Health & Wellness Specialist with the Kevin Love Foundation and a Florida International University graduate.
Debbie Gold: award-winning film producer, business executive and longtime film festival professional.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m., with the festival beginning at noon. Reel Minds 2026 is open to all ages, and free parking is available. The Little Haiti Cultural Complex is located at 212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami, FL 33137.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite here. General admission are $15. Proceeds support NAMI Miami-Dade County’s mission to provide free mental health education, support and advocacy programs throughout Miami-Dade County.
About NAMI Miami-Dade
NAMI Miami-Dade County is an affiliate of the nation’s largest peer-led mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for individuals affected by mental health conditions and their families. NAMI Miami-Dade provides free awareness, prevention, education and support programs led by NAMI-trained leaders with lived experience. For more information, call 305-665-2540 or visit NAMIMiami.org and connect on Facebook or Instagram at @NAMIMiami.
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