Frame of Mind

11 years of creative awareness-raising

Frame of Mind 2025 is a short film competition that aims to raise awareness of positive mental health, normalise conversations around mental health and reduce stigma linked with mental health difficulties in schools and communities.

We are marking 11 years of young people using their creativity to share messages of positive wellbeing, and are inviting students in secondary schools, special education secondary schools, and Further Education Training (FET) centres (including Youthreach) from across Ireland to take part. Entries for Frame of Mind 2025 are now closed.

2025 competition

We can face many different challenges in life. Whatever these may be, practising gratitude is something that can have a positive effect on our mental health. Regularly acknowledging things we are thankful for can help lead to improved emotional wellbeing.

To enter Frame of Mind 2025, we are asking students to create short films that convey a positive mental health message focused on the theme of gratitude, using short film to express the things they are grateful for and explore the things that positively influence their wellbeing.

Our Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) team is looking forward to seeing your entries.

Prizes

There are a number of great prizes to be won in Frame of Mind 2025. The winners in each category will receive a €1,000 cash prize and the runners-up in each category will be awarded a €500 cash prize. Winners and runners-up will also receive a trophy and certificate.

The brief

Aspiring filmmakers entering Frame of Mind are asked to submit a short film between one to three minutes long. The film should share a positive mental health message based on the competition theme, tackle mental health stereotypes, or help combat stigma.

Entries will be marked on:

• how closely they follow the brief
• how they keep to the theme
• their artistic merit (such as the story, scriptwriting, acting and so on)
• technical merit (production, editing, music and so on)
• the overall experience (including creativity, entertainment, impact, and enjoyment).

Judging panel

This year’s judges include Michael Doherty, Movie Editor from the RTÉ Guide; Tom Maher, Director of Services at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS); Eibh Collins, Shorts Programmer for the Galway Film Fleadh and Film and TV Manager at the National Talent Academies; and actor and filmmaker John Connors.

This is an amazing opportunity for secondary school students and FET and Youthreach learners who love to create, have an interest in film, or would like something special for a showreel if they wish to have a future career in the film industry.

How to enter

The competition is open to all students in secondary schools, special education secondary schools, and FET (including Youthreach) learners in Ireland.

Teachers must submit on behalf of their students: simply fill out the application form and include public links to the entries in the form.

Entries for Frame of Mind 2025 are now closed. The shortlisted entries can be read here. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in May 2025.