The Hope Awards short film competition was born of a wish to reduce the effects of stigma on people living with mental illness, and the people who care for them.

The effects of stigma are serious. Some 62 per cent of people in Australia with mental health problems do not utilise mental health services and stigma is one of the main reasons people do not seek help. Stigma increases discrimination in housing, education and employment, and adds to feelings of hopelessness.

A unique collaboration between industry and consumer advocacy, the Hope Awards were developed in 2005 with the aim of encouraging the creation of more accurate, realistic and optimistic portrayals of experiences of mental illness, and to help counter damaging stereotypes.

The competition arose from discussions between Eli Lilly Australia and seven national advocacy organisations: Association of the Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill (ARAFMI – National Council); Australian Mental Health Consumer Network; Mental Health Council of Australia; Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia; Multicultural Mental Health Australia; National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation; and SANE Australia – which together formed the Hope Awards Steering Committee in May 2005.

The committee agreed that the popular medium of short film would be an effective way of generating high-impact stories that could inspire people on their own journey to recovery. It is intended that the films will also contribute to community education about mental illness.

The Steering Committee determined the criteria for eligibility based on the central theme of ‘hope’. Andrew Denton, Patron of SANE’s existing StigmaWatch Program, became the Patron of the Hope Awards and the competition opened on November 7, 2005. The challenge that went out that day to Australian filmmakers, both amateur and professional alike, was to produce a short film that conveys a message of hope for people living with mental illness. There were two categories to enter: Best Drama and Best Documentary.

Some 55 entries were submitted, displaying a diverse and creative approach to the criteria. Many of the stories were very moving and courageous. After reviewing all eligible entries, the committee members selected a short list of eight films that best met the criteria. The eight films were screened and judged on 4 May 2006. The judges were Graham Thorburn, director and Head of Film, TV and Digital Media at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and Jaimie Leonarder, SBS Movie Show host.

Graham Thorburn said he found the quality of finalists, as well as the stories told, inspiring. “This was a difficult subject and I’m impressed with the powerful stories and how well they were explored, often by people who did not have any filmmaking experience,” he said.

The winners on the night were:

Best drama

First prize - Juliet Lamont, for ‘Burst’

Runner-up - Anna Bennetts, for ‘Unlock’

Best documentary

First prize - Owen Elliott, for ‘Matthew Heath’

Runner-up – James Freemantle, for ‘Invincible Summer’

Owen Elliott is a 29-year-old filmmaker who won first prize in the Hope Awards Documentary category with his film, Matthew Heath. Matthew is a 13-year-old co-carer for his father Rob. Rob was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in late 2004. The film is Matthew’s touching, honest and engaging account of his family’s experience of living with mental illness.

Why and how did you get involved in the Hope Awards?

I heard about the Hope Awards on the radio. It sounded like a new and exciting film award and I was interested by the brief: making a film with a clear message of hope for people with mental illness and their carers and how they are affected by stigma. I knew 1 in 5 Australians would be affected by mental illness at some stage in their life. The competition sounded a bit brave and a bit new and I knew it would be a real challenge.

Soon after hearing about the Hope Awards and its clear brief I was keen to explore a father-and-son carer relationship in rural Australia.

How did you meet Matthew Heath and his family?

I asked Rev. Christine Sheppard, the Mental Health Chaplain for the Hunter, if she knew of any such stories.

She got back to me with an article in a Hunter newspaper that highlighted Matthew and his story. So I contacted Michelle Oshan, the writer of the article, and she put me in touch with Natalie Joy from Carer Assist in Newcastle and the Hunter who works with the Heath Family. I explained what the Hope Awards was trying to achieve and why I was interested in focusing on Matthew and his family for a short documentary.

Natalie contacted the Heaths and set up a meeting. I met with Matthew and his family at the end of February. I sat with Matthew for about an hour and a half and tape-recorded an interview with him and his mother. I was so impressed with Matthew’s maturity and clear thinking. I could tell in an instant that this was a loving family with its ups and downs like all of us, but living with the stigmas attached to those who have a mental illness.

I came home and transcribed the entire interview. I sat down with my co-writer Sarah Sheppard and we had to create a structure or framework to best tell Matthew and the Heath family’s story. I knew it had to be in Matthew’s words and he had to narrate the film.

On the following Sunday I spent about 8 hours in and around the family home as they went about their daily activities. I utilised a lot of family photos that added to the personal and touching story.

The editing of the film took about 4 days solid, until the final day of entries for the Hope Awards.

Can you tell us a bit about Matthew’s family?

Matthew is the oldest boy in his family, he has two younger sisters and a younger brother. They are a very loving and trusting family and that became obvious in the way they trusted and opened up to me.

Karen, Matthew’s mum, and Rob are adamant that even though Matthew has to be an adult sometimes, they do not want him to miss out on his childhood.

You made Matthew the narrator of the documentary and we hear from noone else in the family. Why?

We have not often heard the voices of children and I thought making a film from a 12-year-old’s perspective was interesting. I wanted to hear from Matthew, as the eldest son, what it is like when the head of the household was suffering and at times debilitated from an illness. Matthew speaks so honestly and wisely how he and his family deal with the illness. Matthew is such an open, honest and mature boy he deserves to get his story out there.

What have you learnt about stigma and mental illness making Matthew Heath?

I guess it opened my eyes to a lot of prejudice and stigma people living with mental illness still face in Australia. It was inspiring to hear Matthew speak about how he has changed his attitudes about people with mental illness and his maturity and empathy were infectious. He takes no put-downs from anyone, he just loves his dad. The best thing I learnt was when Matthew said, ‘Don’t judge people because they don’t need it.’ Sounds simple enough I know, but it is extremely powerful in the context of the film and their story.