Making An Award Winning Film About Mental Health

In this episode of the Church Production Podcast, host Joseph Cottle sits down with Austin Allen, the lead filmmaker at Times Square Church in New York City, to discuss Unseen, a short film that recently won Best Overall at the Capture Summit Church Film Craft Festival. More than just a film about faith, Unseen delves into the often-taboo topic of mental health within Christian communities. While the conversation does cover behind-the-scenes filmmaking details and technical aspects of the project, it also addresses the powerful theme of mental health struggles—a theme central to Unseen.Allen and the film's director, Caleb Clark, brought their own personal experiences to the story, creating characters who reflect the pain and resilience involved in mental health battles. From the pastor grappling with guilt and loss to the character Eli, who struggles with thoughts of despair, each narrative explores complex human emotions often left unspoken in church settings. The city of New York, featured prominently in the film, adds an authentic texture to the storytelling, making Unseen a relatable and impactful piece for audiences worldwide.