Moving Images Film Festival
March 27th, 2010
Over 350 people attended the 3rd Annual Moving Images Film Festival at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center in Boston on March 27. The day long festival began with a screening of The Soloist, starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Foxx. The movie is based on the true story of a Los Angeles Times reporter who befriends Nathaniel Ayers, a Juilliard trained musician suffering from schizophrenia living on the streets of LA. The movie highlighted many themes including homelessness, mental illness and the important role music plays in recovery from mental illness.
Vinfen SVP Susan Abbott moderated a panel discussion following The Soloist with Lyndia Downie, Executive Director of the Pine Street Inn, a Boston agency well-known for its outreach and providing shelter to Boston’s homeless individuals and artist Abdul Ram Ram.
Shooting Beauty, the second feature screened, chronicles the inspirational journey of photographer Courtney Bent who discovers true beauty at a center for people living with cerebral palsy in Watertown. Shot over the span of a decade, Courtney overcomes her own unspoken prejudices and begins inventing cameras that are easy for her new friends to use.
Shooting Beauty Director George Kachadorian, filmmaker and photographer Courtney Bent and photographer Tony Knight received a standing ovation from the audience before conducting a moving panel session. The photography exhibit featured in the film Picture This was on display in the auditorium.
Actor Joey Pantoliano best known as Ralphie from The Sopranos, screened his documentary No Kidding, Me Too! a look at the sometimes devastating effects of depression. The actor and director also known as Joey Pants weaved humor and personal stories throughout the film to show that recovery from depression is possible and we all need to fight the stigma and prejudice associated with mental illness.
Vinfen Medical Director Dr. Ken Duckworth moderated a lively panel session with Joey, Casey, a young woman who bravely told her personal story in the film and McLean Hospital psychiatrist Dr. Bob Irvin, who also participated in the film.
A reception was held immediately following the Film Festival. Guests enjoyed music from Tunefoolery, a local group of musicians with mental illness.
For Moving Images Film Festival gallery, click here.