Racing Welfare thrilled after mental health film wins award at US festival

Watch out Stephen Spielberg! It wasn't quite the Oscars but Racing Welfare are celebrating after winning a film award in the US.

The piece shot to mark Mental Health Awareness Week has won Best International Short film at the Equus Film and Art Festival in Lexington, Kentucky.

"We are thrilled that the film we created with Equine Productions has won an award," said the charity's communications manager Felicity Marshall, who was flying back to Britain on Tuesday.

"The piece was watched by more than 60,000 people on social media alone during our campaign in May and we are honoured that it has been recognised at the festival.

"We hope the film will continue to reduce the stigma around mental health issues and make it easier for people to talk about how they are feeling through the fantastic international platform that Equus offers.”

The film was originally released in May, marking the start of the charity's response to the Mental Health Foundation's national initiative to destigmatise mental health issues and normalise conversations on the subject.

It aimed to highlight that on any raceday any number of people may be struggling with challenges to their mental wellbeing.

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