Oceanside Film Festival showcases mental health through films

On May 18, 2025, the Oceanside International Film Festival will host ‘The Road Back,’ a film series dedicated to mental health at the Oceanside Theatre Company in California. Scheduled from 6 PM to 8 PM, this event aims to highlight the connection between the arts and mental well-being during Mental Health Week 2025.

The festival promotes the role of artistic expression in healing and emphasizes community involvement. General admission is priced at $16.95, while military, student, and senior tickets are available for $13.95.

This 80-minute film showcase will be followed by a Q&A panel discussion featuring five distinct short films:

1. **ALONE TOGETHER** – Directed by Erin Martinez, this 7-minute narrative short tells the story of Julian and Devon, who struggle with loneliness after their relationship ends. The unique storytelling technique allows viewers to experience both characters’ perspectives simultaneously.

2. **SEEN AGAIN** – Peter Murphy’s 10-minute animated film explores a man’s confrontation with his past while driving through the Arizona desert. The narrative employs hand-drawn and collage animation to illustrate the impact of memories manifesting as falling objects.

3. **WILD SEA** – This 14-minute documentary by Tom Vetterl follows Jeff Allen, a prominent sea kayaking figure, as he navigates his military experiences and personal traumas. The film highlights how his connection to the ocean facilitated his healing journey, culminating in a 2004 circumnavigation of Japan.

4. **OCEAN STATE OF MIND** – In this 4-minute documentary, director Danny Hardesty captures Rhode Island surfer Curtis Perdue, who finds solace in cold New England waters. Curtis aims to instill a love for the ocean in his children, honoring the legacy of his late father.

5. **RESURRECTION ARTIST** – Directed by Scott Fitzloff, this 22-minute documentary narrates the journey of Matthew, an artist and doctor who experiences a near-death incident after a bodysurfing accident. Despite being paralyzed, he embraces art as a means to navigate life changes and sets an ambitious goal to surf again within a year.

6. **LAST CALL** – This narrative short by Harry Holland, running 19 minutes, follows Kate, a mother seeking to reconnect with her son. The film addresses themes of depression, grief, and the quest for understanding in the face of past traumas.

The event is supported by the Oceanside International Film Festival, with additional contact details available for inquiries. This film series not only aims to entertain but also to foster conversations about mental health, showcasing the power of storytelling in promoting understanding and healing within communities.