Directed by Matthew van Ginkel

Logline: Facing the Monsters Within

Synopsis: James, while exploring an abandoned school encounters twisted-faced monsters - physical manifestation of his mental illness - something he chooses to confront as a part of a therapy session.

Distribution Contact: WFG

More Details

RUNTIME: 5 Minutes
GENRE: Narrative, Fiction
PRODUCTION FORMAT: HD
LANGUAGE: English
LOCATION: Manitoba
KEYWORDS: First Session, Mental Health, Horror, Thriller, Art, Monsters

Director's Statement: Mathew van Ginkel has always wanted to create a film tackling the subject about the process of overcoming mental illness, because it's something he did with his autism. After winning the $10,000 RBC Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition at the Gimli Film Festival, Matthew was given the opportunity to tell his story through "First Session". A horror film that follows James who physically confronts his mental illness/inner turmoil. Mathew took inspiration with his autism and vaguely defined what mental illness/inner turmoil James confronts. Matthew wanted to focus on James' physically confronting his inner turmoil, and the horrors the process would ensue, rather focus on what the inner turmoil/mental illness is. He feels this would resonate more with audiences and some would draw parallels to their own experiences.