The Trauma Research Foundation is pleased to present their Third Annual Film Festival. This year Being Michelle was selected to be showcased! The variety of films chosen explore the process of healing from trauma from different sources and perspectives. This is a virtual event and access to the films will be available for a week after the event until November 26th. Each film shown will be followed by a live Q&A session with key members of the film and experts in the field of trauma. Cast your vote for the audience choice award. The winning film receives a $1,000 donation to a qualifying organization of their choice. This film festival is free for all to participate with a suggested donation. Your donation supports the filmmakers and their causes as well as the Trauma Research Foundation’s mutually aligned projects.

Mae: Hello! My name is Mae Thornton Mehra and I am a Producer on the documentary film, Being Michelle. My filmmaking partner and husband, Atin Mehra first met Michelle about 5 years ago and upon learning her story knew it must be told.

Gabe: My name is Gabe Lomas. I am an Advisor on the documentary film project. My background is in counseling and forensics. I am a coda with deaf family. I have spent my life working in the deaf community in various roles including interpreter, teacher, counselor, and currently, professor.

I came on board this project because I see the value and importance of a film like this raising awareness of the issues faced by deaf people in our society, especially Deaf people in the criminal justice system. I am co-editor of the first ever conglomeration of research on this population. I am currently working alongside my colleague and co-editors of the book, “Deaf People in the Criminal Justice System” to create supplemental educational materials to go alongside the wider release of Being Michelle.

Mae: We are very excited to share this film with all of you at the Trauma Research Foundation Film Festival. I first came across Bessel van der Kolk’s book, “The Body Keeps the Score” a number of years ago while working on another documentary film which is still in progress entitled, Her Song. As a human and filmmaker I truly believe in the power of story and I am driven to tell stories which embody the experience of healing through trauma.

Gabe: The film touches upon many issues of trauma experienced by deaf individuals and through the experience of Michelle we learn of her journey through our society and through the criminal justice system that failed to try to understand her.

Mae: Please watch this important film and join us for a special Q&A following the screening of the film where Gabe and I will be joined by two deaf therapists, Noel King and Dr. Makoto Ikegami to discuss in more depth some of the issues raised in the film.

Thank you to the Trauma Research Foundation for hosting this important slate of films. The Trauma Research Foundation Film Festival is donation based and we encourage you to make a donation to the film festival so that these important stories can continue to have a platform to inspire hearts, educate minds and catalyze healing in our world.

Gabe: Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the panel.

For more info please visit:

www.beingmichelle.com