We shot in Red Deer, Alberta during the winter of 2017. The budget for this short film was $20 000.00.
Ticket sales help us create wellness events where this film is shown and where we create conversations around listening and early suicide prevention. See our Talks and Talk Backs in the menu above to book a Complimentary Discovery with us to find out more about how you can bring us to your community or organization.
Pay it forward
So we can create more stories for W.E.L.L.ness- At Finding the Gold Coaching & Films, we create story for many reasons: We create stories on film about relational, spiritual, and mental wellness to inspire wellness in the world through safe guided conversations about wellness after a screening. In addition, if someone has engaged in a listening, workshop, or coaching journey with us, they can tell their story of growth and transformation. These stories (if desired) are also shared privately, as well as in community and to audiences.
A Grande Purpose
There had been a tragic loss of 6 students’ lives in 2016 to suicide. The community this happened in was devastated and looking for answers to prevent this from happening ever again. Our Producer, Rueben Tschetter of Cache Productions, wanted to bring hope and an answer. With TELUS’ support, he started to develop this film. He reached out to us to help him write and then to direct it. As Wanda’s own life had been saved by listening, she worked with Rueben to share listening to understand as an answer.
An Alberta Community Film Shoot
This was a unique shoot. As many in the community wanted to help provide answers to the loss their community had experienced, Rueben and Wanda invited community members to be a part of the cast of this film. They also interviewed social workers, faith leaders, and psychologists as well as a family member who lost his daughter. Together with a professional crew and lead cast members, this film was completed.
We shot in Red Deer, Alberta during the winter of 2017. The budget for this short film was $20 000.00.
Synopsis
Josie is a mental health advocate in her community. She is involved with the schools working with teachers and the students to advocate for, maintain and improve mental health and strength. As she goes about living her life, she comes across something which threatens people in her community in a number of places she goes. Josie shows us how listening can and does make a huge difference and shares what can tragically happen if we do not listen. And a number of leaders in her community give their input. This piece was created to support parents and teens in the early prevention of suicide.
Bring this film to your community
Tickets will allow you to watch the movie on your computer or with a group on a television you can cast to. To bring this film to your community, email [email protected].
Reviews below…
Release, Festivals and Awards
In October of 2017, to a sold out theatre crowd, we released and screened “Are You Listening?”. This screening was attended by cast, crew, families, faith leaders, community leaders, and friends. There were many praises that night for the movie and pledges to help spread the word.
After this release, the film was put on the festival circuit. It was also shared with a prison as well as put on YouTube. As a result, we know that many watched and were encouraged to listen. We are aware of at least one if not more lives that were saved as a result of this film because her friend knew how to listen.
As with all independent filmmaking, it was important to put this film on the festival circuit. The purpose of being on the festival circuit was two fold – to test the film and get some reviews as well as to help us gain credibility for telling wellness stories on film. Most festivals require that a film not be released to the general public while on the circuit because they want it for their own audiences.
We are so grateful for the way that this movie has been received! “Are You Listening? A Pathway to Empathy” has 5 awards and recognitions – most pictured on the poster above.
