SHIFT launches OPEN SECRETS to national CDW network
All Community Development Workers should be able to get a copy of Open Secrets from their national or regional CDW lead. If you do not know who your lead is, please contact the National Equalities Programme
The film, along with dissemination and training resources designed to help explore the film's messages and to support CDWs in their role. These include a ‘Pause & Talk' Guide to the film, a flow chart to help identify the areas of CDW work where Open Secrets could be usefully incorporated and a questionnaire.
In addition to the video and related resources that CDWs will or have received from SHIFT, these resources will also be available for CDWs to view and download via the new CDW web pages at www.mentalhealthequalities.org.uk
Open Secrets is an award winning short drama film (17 mins) written and directed by Azeem Khan, AzKo Films. It tackles the stigma surrounding mental illness. In November 2008 it won first prize at the 6th Buffalo San Black & Asian Film Festival in London. It follows a young Asian man with bipolar disorder and the reactions of his family to his condition and treatment. The film has been dubbed into Gujarati and Hindi. Azeem Khan was born in Pakistan in 1965 and came to England at the age of five. He graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with BA Hons in Film & TV Production. He has worked for two major advertising agencies in Karachi - J. Walter Thompson and Ogilvy & Mather producing 30 TV commercials including Pepsi and Philips Whirlpool. In the UK Azeem has both produced & directed documentaries for the BBC and ITV. Open Secrets is his first professional drama film. Azeem has personal experience of manic depression. He is married and lives in London. SHIFT commissioned Azko Films to produce Open Secrets in October 2007. Open Secrets was selected from around 30 submissions in a national tendering process. SHIFT specified the commissioned work would promote a strong anti-stigma and anti-discrimination message; would promote a positive attitude to the issues surrounding mental health problems; be highly original, and combine potential for partnership working within the community development network set up by the DRE (Delivering Race Equality) programme. SHIFT also wanted value for money and to create a product with a reasonably long shelf life.
SHIFT in partnership with Harrow MIND recently piloted a community launch at a local cinema in Harrow. This has helped inform us of how best to develop the information pack that accompanies the main promotion. Eventually, the film will be screened throughout England in community and health & social care contexts to raise awareness, promote discussion and motivate action. 'Open Secrets' has also been shown at the national Delivering Race Equality Conference,. It was also screened on the Community Channel in April and at the Battersea Arts Centre as part of the SW London & St Georges Trust ‘Happy Soul Film Festival'.
SHIFT at www.shift.org.uk
Azeem Khan at www.azkofilms.com
