2021
- Remote Chance: Rural Health Care in America – Digital-First Premiere
The pandemic has exacerbated the crisis in rural health care and mental health in America. To raise awareness, educate, reduce stigma, and change the national conversation, Well Beings is initiating a digital-first series dedicated to sharing a portrait of the disparities in rural and frontier regions of the United States in care and mental health. From lack of services to isolation and ethnic inequities, Well Beings will present facts and figures and a series of short, digital-first films by award-winning filmmaker Elizabeth Arledge to shine a light on this crisis. Support provided by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Short films produced, directed, and written by Elizabeth Arledge/Gurney Street Films. Premieres November 2021.
2022
- Our Turn to Talk – Digital-First Premiere
A digital-first documentary about the mission to end the stigma around mental health challenges, starting with the next generation. In this character-driven vérité film, we go behind the scenes of a podcast production bringing together teens from all walks of life to use storytelling to bravely share their mental health journey without fear, shame, or stigma. Join these youths as they step into their voice and learn to create space to share the impact on their mental health of social media, sexual identity, gender identity, racism, and the pandemic. A co-production of Principle Pictures and WETA Washington, D.C. Directed and co-produced by Beth Murphy. Executive Produced by Kelly Deckert, Justin Rhodes, and John F. Wilson. Premieres May 2022.
- Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness (wt)
This two-part, four-hour documentary addresses the youth mental health crisis in America. Following various mental health journeys, twenty-two young individuals speak courageously about their personal experiences with mental health challenges — including anxiety, depression, anorexia, bipolar, schizophrenia, psychosis, addiction, self-harm, and suicide. These featured subjects also discuss the stigma and discrimination they faced when speaking up and trying to find help — as well as their experiences, successful or not, in treating their conditions. The film also features experts, advocates, therapists, counselors, educators, family, and friends, who make it clear that people everywhere face these challenges — in our communities, schools, youth organizations, and our own homes. Ultimately, the interviewees provide a message of hope and the realization that the first step — and often most difficult — in healing is to simply start talking about it. The film shows the stark reality that many people face and provides viewers the opportunity to find empathy and relatability in these real, everyday experiences. The first in a three-film series from Ewers Brothers Productions on mental health. A production of Florentine Films, Ewers Brothers Productions, and WETA Washington, D.C. Co-directed by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers, produced by Julie Coffman, executive produced by Ken Burns. Premieres 2022.
2023
- Life, Unexpected (wt)
Much attention has been paid to the stunning medical advances that have made long-term survival of cancer possible — yet there has been little focus on the nuances of living into adulthood after childhood cancer treatment. The dynamics of childhood cancer are profound for the entire family, in ways both positive and negative. This documentary will weave together powerful personal narratives, providing an honest, intimate look at the challenges and triumphs of life after treatment. The film will also explore the groundbreaking work of researchers and clinicians around the country who are developing innovative ways to support survivors and their families. A production of Gurney Street Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Produced, directed, and written by Elizabeth Arledge. Premieres 2023. - Caregiving (wt)
Caregiving is a new two-part, four-hour documentary series and national engagement campaign that will bring viewers into this rarely seen world of compassion, intimacy, connection, struggle, and hope. Through intimate verité footage and interviews, the series will follow a diverse group of caregivers on their personal journeys and people on the frontlines of the broad-based caregiving movement, as they fight to give caregivers the same safety, security, and comfort they provide for so many others. The series will reveal the state — and the stakes — of providing care in America, during an unprecedented moment in which there is an opportunity to transform our country’s caregiving system into one that works for us all. From the filmmakers behind the award-winning documentaries The Gene: An Intimate History (2020 EMMY Nominated) and Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies (2015 Columbia DuPont Award), directed and produced by ARK Media (Barak Goodman & Christopher Durrance), executive produced by Bradley Cooper, Lea Pictures and WETA. Currently in development, sponsored by Care.com Premiere 2023. - Critical Condition: Health Care in Rural America (wt)
As the number of rural doctors continues to plummet, a new public media documentary Critical Condition: Health Care in Rural America (wt) will shine a light on the underserved and tell the stories of medical professionals on the frontline of the American frontier. Through personal narratives of a geographically and ethnically diverse selection of patients and professionals in rural practice, the film will delve into how issues of culture, access to care, stigma and more, play out in unique ways across rural America, sometimes becoming quite literally matters of life and death. The 90-minute film will be produced and directed by Emmy and Peabody award-winning documentary producer, director and broadcast journalist, Elizabeth Arledge. Executive producers include Gurney Street Films and WETA, the leading PBS station in our nation’s capital. Premiere 2023.