Barrio Independent Productions, Inc. (BIP) announced that it is on the lookout for short films that promote mental health, well-being, and social change in the time of COVID-19 pandemic with the "Frenzy Short Film Festival." 

(Photo : BARRIO INDEPENDENT PRODUCTIONS) Frenzy Short Film Fest

With the support of LMCC and UMEZ, BIP crafted a festival focused on the social and psychological vulnerabilities of people and communities in general.

This year's festival seeks to continue BIP's commitment last year at the successful "Frenzy Fest" theater festival. It was East Harlem's first theater festival that was focused on the human psyche.

The Shorts can be in English or Spanish and has to be 10 to 15 minutes long. BIP will be accepting applications for short films until September 26. 

Keeping the "Frenzy"

BIP wants to see short films that revolve around some "Frenzy" episode. It is "a phase in which excitement seems to lead us to unconsciousness, and that can become negative when control is lost or behavior transgresses what society considers 'normal'."

Through creative storytelling, short films have to increase awareness and empathy about the stigma of mental health issues.

In this way, audiences may hopefully be engaged to inspire, transform, and support lives.If creators are interested in joining the festival, they can enter the website through this link.

Artistic Responsibility

BIP CEO, actress and producer Amneris Morales said she believes that showing works of art that focus on mental health is a responsibility for artists. She added that people have to embrace promoting well-being and social change in attitudes, especially in these moments where the world is uncertain due to the effects of COVID-19.

Other members of BIP and developers of the short film festival also believe this.

Drama Desk Award nominee Belange Rodríguez, poet Jesús Papoleto Meléndez, choreographer Elliott Ortiz and actor Iván Goris are just some of those people.

For them, having these kinds of initiatives can help raise awareness for important issues and involved the public. It is a "powerful integration of creativity and technology."

What Can Viewers Expect?

All entries for the short film festival can be seen through "streaming" and will run from November 16 to November 21.

There will also be forums featuring mental health professionals and members of the films. Three of the best short films will receive compensation.

What is BIP?

BIP has long been a non-profit organization devoted to artistic production. It is committed to the collaboration and presentation of cultural and artistic events that prove and improve the values of Latin and Caribbean communities.

Through these events, BIP wants to build a cultural bridge between dramatists, poets, filmmakers, actors, dancers and all kinds of artistic manifestations.

In 2019, BIP was recognized by "Teatro Tempo" for its work and also received an award from LATA AWARDS.

All members of BIP are writers, actors, choreographers, poets, filmmakers and producers. Every one of BIP's members is also conscious of the role that artists play to bring messages that improve society.

The importance of maintaining and preserving Latino culture in the New York melting point is one of BIP's focus points.

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