Documentary films change minds, reach hearts, and create change. Good Pitch has been using documentaries to bring organizations together into powerful coalitions for over 12 years in 15 different countries. Over 3,200 organizations have attended Good Pitch worldwide, creating a network of foundations, NGOs, campaigners, academics, philanthropists, policymakers, brands and media.
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Ying: I am Ying Wang. I am the writer and director of The World is Bright.
Jian Ping: I am Jian Ping Su. I am the cinematographer and producer.
Ying: How would you respond if your only child died and was buried in another country? This is the story we followed for over 10 years. Let’s first watch the trailer to our film: The World Is Bright.
Ying: In 2007, Mr. Qianhui Deng and Ms. Xuemei Li traveled to Vancouver to investigate the mysterious circumstances of their son’s death. That was the beginning of this decade-long journey.
We followed them as they were retracing Shi Ming’s footsteps. Shi Ming’s tragedy brings them face-to-face with the reality of his life in Canada, and his mental illness, a diagnosis that they had dismissed out of shame and ignorance, and neglected when Shi Ming needed their support.
During the time, they also experienced the same social isolation, and eventually, had their own encounter with depression and suicidal thoughts; this was when they began to truly understand their son.
Jian Ping: We were driven to tell the story of Shi Ming and his family. While mental health has become a part of mainstream conversations, it still remains a huge taboo within immigrant communities. The tragedy of this family exposes the vulnerability to mental illness that the act of immigration creates - a vulnerability that is compounded by the absence of cultural coping mechanisms.
Ying Wang: While portraying the emotional and physical pains Shi Ming’s parents go through to try and solve this case, this film also exposes some ugly truths about the Canadian immigration system, and an additional challenge for individual immigrants who commit even minor crimes where their mental illness was factor, and then are subject to immigration troubles and deportation.
Jian Ping: The trajectory of the Deng family represents the collective journey of millions of people who leave their homes in search of a better place. Twelve years in the making, the film also acts as a call for solutions: How do we build a society that can be a real home, both physically and spiritually fulfilling, for our future generations?
Ying Wang: We completed the film in September 2019 and have shown it at many festivals internationally. Now we are very excited to kick off the impact campaign with you.
Our goal is to create a space for immigrants to talk about mental wellness for themselves and for their loved ones, to raise awareness, and to advocate for changes.
We need to partner with community leaders in mental health, immigration and refugee settlement agencies to engage and mobilize the whole communities, so that we can effectively challenge the taboo and stigma.
Jian Ping: We need your help with our community outreach to host screenings of our film, and to host these events in their native language.
The Canadian Mental Health Association and MOSAIC Refugee Settlement Agency have sent us their multilingual resources to distribute with the film. We are also developing ESL lesson plans so that this film can be used to educate.
We have impact screenings in Tacoma, Washington, at the City of Richmond Diversity Symposium, Vancouver Public Library, and more, and we would like to add you to the list.
Ying Wang: As part of the impact campaign, we are also creating a Chinese captioned version of the film, and developing a website that will become a platform of multilingual resources for the public.
During the production of the film, we interviewed nearly 20 experts across the country who are working at the frontline of mental health, immigration settlement and legislation. We will edit the interviews into a video series so that their insights and knowledge can be shared widely.
Jian Ping: We need your support to achieve these goals. If you can make a donation, or know of a donor or funding body who would be interested in supporting our impact campaign, we can provide charitable receipts through C4C Canada.
Ying Wang: The film is more relevant now in this uncertain time of global pandemic. Over the past few months, many of us have been forced into dislocation and isolation, experiencing loneliness, anxiety and grief at the sudden loss of loved ones.
The parents made a courageous choice to participate in this film. Sharing their grief has now become an act of hope. We are looking forward to working with you. We believe the future can be bright!
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CHAT?
WHO ATTENDED?
Amanda Feng, Co-Founder – The Colour Project
Pledged to share film with volunteers and connect filmmakers to organizers of "Frames of Mind Screening Series" – a program for med students that screens a film each month and has a facilitated discussion afterwards.
Amos Kambere, Executive Director – Umoja Operation Compassion Society
Hopes to organize post-COVID screening of the film where mental health providers are present to connect them with the community. Share the trailer and film with staff working with mental health.
Chris Stephenson, CommunicationS Coordinator – Immigrant Services Society of BC
Share the campaign with community, through social media and website, and among key staff members, case workers, teachers, etc. to discuss sharing resources and organizing a screening in collaboration with other organizations in Vancouver.
Constance Easton, Coordinator Mental Health, SEL & Counselling – Richmond School District
Connie is partnering with Teenmentalhealth.org and some researchers to look at stigma in the Chinese community, and pledges to use this film to start a conversation to address stigma and open up a community forum for families in Richmond, and with EAL learners at the high school.
Elaine Harmston, LINC Coordinator – Working Women Community Centre
Pledged to take the film to the staff, counselors, teachers, finding ways to bring it and the conversation of mental health to the students.
Hanne Brahim, Team Manager Core Connections – Immigrant Services Calgary
Invitation to attend the summit her ISC is hosting virtually regarding immigrant youth mental health, pledged to organize a screening, and a general offer of collaboration with other attendees.
Ingrid Mendez, Executive Director – Watari
Pledged to use this film to create awareness within her organization, specifically with outreach workers and counsellors, and also hopefully sharing it and any available resources to support Vietnamese community, and their EAL classes.
Jaswant Guzder, Professor – McGill University
Using film as a tool for training and cultural access work in mental health. Offered to share her expertise as a panelist, specifically in Richmond.
Jenny Shin, PR Liaison – Not 9 to 5
Creating virtual screening on their platform, across North America. As TED Talks scout – commit to pitching filmmakers as a TED Talk host. Interested in partnering with other pledgers to lend technical support for screenings. Connecting with her sister (an MP in BC) to see how she can support with policy/organizing.
Mark Busse, Director – Story Money Impact
Pledged to support any technical needs associated with a virtual screening – setting up ticketing, promotion, live streaming.
Minah Lee, Producer of Interdisciplinary Arts – Cinevolution Media Arts Society
Cinevolution is committed to finding venues in Richmond and beyond to share the film. They are passionate about reaching policy makers and helping access them.
Natasha Zhang, Student – Queen’s University
Organize a screening at Queen’s with international students with panel discussion. And if that goes well, collaborate with different universities to organize the same thing starting in Ontario and going across Canada.
Ryan Hoang, Physician - KANSAS CITY MERCY HOSPITAL
Pass on information and resources to mentors in his field, and pledging his life to the campaign.
Serena Nudel, Manager Mental Health and Wellness - Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services
Use the film as a tool to start dialogue with community members in Toronto and with staff and care providers. Reached out to Elaine for possible collaboration.
Sheida Azimi, Program Coordinator – Cultural Connections Institute – The Learning Exchange
Deliver EAL lessons to newcomers in Edmonton, organize a screening for students, staff, volunteers, and teachers. Using film and their EAL plans to supplement the mental health teachings of their organization.
Tyler Russell, PhD Student – Queen’s University
Pledged to connect film with immigrant community in Kelowna for a screening with the intention to make change at a local and broader policy level. Help with writing press releases.
Vesna Radivojevic, LINC Resource Coordinator/Assistant Department Head – Vancouver Community College
Working with Maureen at VCC, they have 30 classes and the support of counselling services, organizing a screening for their students.
Wangari Muriuki, director of operations - Across boundaries
Organize screening, deliver film and associated resources with community in Toronto.
Wanting Qu, singer
Pledged to share the film with her platform, organize a screening, and use her platform however she can to reach policy makers, larger audiences and collect donations.
WHAT PLEDGES WERE PREVIOUSLY MADE AT OUR LIVE EVENT?
Official Opposition Critic of the Ministry of Mental Health, Jane Thornthwaite MLA
Noted the lack of government resources committed to fight stigma surrounding mental health. Offered introductions to school boards and leaders in all levels of government including MPs to support change; to advance potential screening and invitation to the provincial legislature.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Expressed concern that mental wellness is a taboo subject with many newcomers and film could help open dialogue. Offered to host several screenings and filmmaker panels for community members and staff.
MOSAIC, Sherman Chan
Committed to introducing the film and advocating to 200 service agencies across the country; to introduce to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada; to share the film with community and settlement workers and as part of settlement materials.
Richmond School District, Connie Easton
Noted that mental health literacy training for school staff is already underway and includes the issue of stigma. Will confer with team regarding integrating the film in grade 9 curriculum as well as with international students. Offered to reach out to School Counsellors Association.
Kickstarter, Liz Cook
Offered pre-launch strategy for crowdfunding consultation and help from social media team during campaign.
InSpirit Foundation, Sadia Zaman
Would like to explore funding the impact campaign and impact producer.
Vancouver Health Authority, Natalie McCarthy
Offered community screenings to promote dialogue; introductions to health authorities.
AUDIENCE PLEDGES
FINALÉ Post Production
Pledged $5,000 for post services towards finishing the film.
One national psychiatry association
Offered key introductions including to the president of the organization.
Three personal donations
$400 donation
$1,000 donation
$2,000 donation
Two immigration community organizations
Will support message and advocacy alignment. Will organize and/or facilitate screenings in whatever language needed.
Offered screenings and to start sidewalk conversations. Invited filmmakers to daydream with them.
One translator
Will help translate into Arabic and Turkish.
One immigration consulting agency
Offered $10,000 pro-bono services for international students who don't have money for representation. Will promote with social media network.
Documentary Organization of Canada, Mathieu Dagonas
Offered free membership to the filmmakers; introductions, including to the Federal Minister of Immigration. Will help facilitate screenings.
One hospital director
Noted that they may have personally failed the subject of this film. Will screen the film at the hospital for hospital staff to help make their services better.
Fadinta Design, Michael Levett
Pledged to build and fully host a website.
One media company
Offered to host screening with media partners to help trigger coverage. Offering consultation to help develop media packages for media.
TEAM
Sue Biely
Anthony Swan
Jonny Morris
Brianna Girdler
Jenny Lee Craig
Anastasia Gaisenok
Natasha Shukor
Em Lubbers
Anis Annisa Maryam
WITH GREAT APPRECIATION
Good Pitch Vancouver Virtual
Program Donors
David Paperny
Audrey Mehler
Story Money Impact Donors
Leonard Schein
Laura Plant
Erika Harrison
Tracey Friesen
Dr Hilary Pada
Annette Frymer
David Goorevitch
Wayne Busse
David Zitzerman
David Richardson
Leola Purdy Foundation
Sandra Garossino
Tinu Mathur
Mark Busse
Ruth Hahn
Ring Five Impact Docs
Tatiana Nemchin
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Annette Frymer
John Dippong
Laura Plant
Leonard Schein
Liz Shorten
Loc Dao
Mark Busse
Sharon Farrish
Tinu Mathur
Tracey Friesen
PAST BOARD MEMBERS & ADVISORS
Al Etmanski
Bonnie Foley-Wong
Carol Biely
Gulnaaz Z. Lalji
Joel Solomon
Andrea Nemtim
