Pittsburgh, PA · Est. 2025
Stories That Heal.
Films That Matter.
Filmology Festival of Films brings together filmmakers, mental health professionals, and survivors in Pittsburgh to explore the healing power of cinema.
2026 · Alumni Theater · Pittsburgh
"Film doesn't just reflect the human condition — it can transform it. Every story told is a hand extended to someone who thought they were alone."
30+
Films Expected
5+
Speakers & Panelists
100+
Attendees Expected
12+
Community Partners
Our Mission
Filmology Festival of Films was born from a simple belief: that cinema has the power to heal. We create a space in Pittsburgh where filmmakers, mental health professionals, and survivors come together — not as separate communities, but as one.
Every film we screen, every panel we host, every conversation we spark is an act of advocacy. We believe that when stories are told with honesty and care, they reduce stigma, build empathy, and save lives.
Read our full storyWhat We Screen
Film Categories
First-person narratives from those who have lived through mental health challenges — raw, honest, and transformative.
Survivor Stories
Films created by or in collaboration with mental health professionals, bridging clinical insight and human storytelling.
Clinical Perspectives
Long-form documentary works exploring mental health systems, communities, and the people who navigate them.
Documentary
Concise, powerful short films that distill complex emotional experiences into unforgettable cinematic moments.
Short Film
Animated works that use the freedom of the medium to explore inner worlds, trauma, and healing in unexpected ways.
Animation
The People Behind the Films
Voices of the Festival
Better Stories Psychiatry
Better Stories Psychiatry believes that healing begins with being heard. As a clinical partner of Filmology, they bring psychiatric expertise, compassionate care, and a deep commitment to mental health advocacy — bridging the gap between clinical practice and the stories we tell on screen.
People's Oakland
People's Oakland is a Pittsburgh-based community organization rooted in the heart of Oakland, dedicated to uplifting underserved voices and building bridges across race, class, and lived experience. As Panel Co-Ordinator for Filmology, they ensure every conversation centers the communities most impacted by mental health disparities.
Andre Scott
Andre Scott is a media professional and advocate with AbleVision, Pittsburgh's premier accessible media organization. As Panel Moderator for Filmology, Andre brings a commitment to inclusive storytelling and ensures every voice in the room is heard — on stage and in the audience. AbleVision's mission is to make media accessible, representative, and empowering for all communities.
Open Submissions
Your Story
Deserves
to Be Seen.
We accept films from all backgrounds — professional filmmakers, first-time directors, mental health professionals, and survivors with a story to tell.
FILMOLOGY FESTIVAL OF FILMS
SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS
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DEADLINE: August 14, 2026
11:59 PM
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FEE: $25 — Feature Film
(50 min+)
$25 — Feature Documentary
(50 min+)
$15 — Narrative Short
(20 min or less)
$15 — Documentary Short
(20 min or less)
$10 — Student Film /
Documentary
(10 min or less)
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FORMATS: MP4, MOV, MKV
MAX SIZE: 10 GB
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FESTIVAL: October 2026
Alumni Theater
Pittsburgh, PASubmission fees support festival operations, screening costs, and community programming. All submissions receive a written response.
Pay Submission Fee via PayPal🔒 Secure payment via PayPal · filmologyfestival.org
From Our Community
Community Voices
Filmology gave my film a home. More than that, it gave my story a community. I left Pittsburgh feeling less alone than I have in years.
Tanya M.
Filmmaker & Survivor
As a psychiatrist, I've seen what happens when people feel unseen. This festival does the opposite — it holds a light up to every experience and says: this matters.
Dr. Samuel Park
Clinical Psychiatrist
I submitted my short film not expecting much. What I got was a screening, a panel discussion, and a conversation that changed how I think about my own work.
Darius W.
Independent Filmmaker
The festival creates space for stories that mainstream cinema ignores. That's not just important — it's necessary.
Amara J.
Mental Health Advocate
Join Us in Pittsburgh
This Year.
Whether you're a filmmaker with a story to tell, a mental health professional who believes in the power of narrative, or a survivor ready to see your experience reflected on screen — Filmology is your festival.