Towards Healthier Film Productions

Display Schedule

Code Completion Credits Range Language of instruction Semester
305MHFP credit 1 7 seminar hours (45 min) of instruction per semester, 20 to 25 hours of self-study English winter

Subject guarantor

Name of lecturer(s)

Jindřich Andrš

Department

The subject provides Department of Producing

Contents

The international audiovisual industry is challenged by widespread mental health issues, and the momentum is here to approach these challenges heads-on, based on data, lived experiences, best practices and constructive tools. There are no common European standards to follow for mental wellbeing in industry, so this curriculum is an attempt to navigate the latest research and knowledge, and enable film students in building their own psychologically sustainable productions and career paths, while also safeguarding one’s own wellbeing. The module will span both the individual, interpersonal and structural aspects, offering many concrete approaches to the risk and responsibilities that are carried by filmmakers.

During this 1-day workshop we will raise the questions, what are the health risks of filmmaking and what is specifically challenging the participants, in order to better prepare ourselves for a high risk industry and for productions that need our pro-active approach.

The workshop will contain lecturing, case studying and group exercises, all based on peer dialogue among students. The methodology is grounded in the practices and principles of psychological safety, which is the foundation for an inclusive, diverse and safe environment.

A goal with this class is to bridge the different film departments and create a common understanding of mental health risks and our shared responsibility to counter these. It is therefore designed for FAMU students across departments, and it is specifically aimed at the reality of film students and emerging film professionals in leading and managing positions, meaning producers, directors, cinematographers, and other heads of departments, production managers etc. The class will be held in English.

1 DAY WORKSHOP (9.00-16.00)

9.00-12.00:

Why Mental Health: Introduction & Definitions

International Research Findings

Break

Psychological Safety & Its Benefits

Identifying the Challenges (exercise)

12-12.30 Lunch break

12.30-16.00

Responsibilities & Solutions on Three Levels

Risk Assessing a Production (exercise)

Break

International Best Practices

Leading By Your Values

Wrap-up

Learning outcomes

-

Prerequisites and other requirements

The class will be held in English.

Literature

The Looking Glass, Report 2024, by the Film & TV Charity, released 2025

‘Producers in Focus: Mental Health, Resilience, and Support’. EAVE Think Tank Report, 2026

Evaluation methods and criteria

100% participation 1-day module. Proof of participation by signing the attendance list.

Note

MgA. Louise Højgaard Johansen (she/her) is the Danish founder of Sane Cinema, an international initiative that pushes for healthier practices in the film industry, through awareness, professional training and higher education. She is today certified as a trainer in psychological safety, and her collaborators include Erich Pommer Institut, ACE Producers, FAMU, VŠMU, National Film School of Denmark, Marché du Film, EFM etc. For the past 20 years Louise has worked in and around film festivals as a programmer, moderator and industry consultant across Copenhagen, Reykjavik and Athens, and today she has settled in Prague. In the past, she has produced films such as 'Grandma Lo-fi' (2011), 'End of Summer' (2014) and 'Last and First Men' (2020). She is a member of the Danish and European Film Academies, and holds a Master in Film Studies from The University of Copenhagen.

Further information

This course is an elective for all students of this school

Schedule for winter semester 2026/2027:

Date Day Time Tutor Location Notes No. of paralel
23.10.2026 09:00–16:00 Jindřich Andrš Room No. 2
Lažanský palác		 lecture parallel1

Schedule for summer semester 2026/2027:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans