RCPsych supports Medfest again in 2012

Embargoed until 30 January 2012

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is proud to be supporting Medfest again in 2012. Medfest, the UK’s first national medical film festival, was established in 2011 by the College’s Psychiatric Trainees’ Committee (PTC). Last year, over 450 people attended nine events around the country.

Medfest 2012 promises to be even bigger and better, with events scheduled at 16 university venues in February and March. This year’s theme is 'Understanding Illness Through Film'. Each event lasts two hours, during which a series of short films and film clips will be shown. A panel of four experts, including film-makers, scriptwriters, public health experts, medical ethicists, physicians and psychiatrists, will attend each event to lead discussion and answer questions from the audience.

Medfest's target audience is primarily medical students, but health professionals, patients and members of the public are also welcome. All events are free to attend.

Medfest lead Dr Rory Conn said: "Not only is Medfest a cultural event in its own right, it’s a fantastic opportunity to promote psychiatry as a specialty UK-wide, to educate about mental health and to challenge the stigma associated with mental illness. Our broad range of engaging panellists will be helping us consider the social, political and ethical implications of how illness is depicted in film.

"We are indebted to South London & Maudsley Charitable Trust and the Institute of Medical Ethics for their financial support for the festival which we anticipate being a huge success. Please come and join us for a stimulating evening’s entertainment at your local university venue. Remember, all events are FREE to attend, with wine and food receptions!"

Dr Peter Byrne, Associate Registrar at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a Medfest panellist, said: "The College is delighted to be supporting Medfest again this year. It really is a great way of provoking discussion about the representation of mental and physical health on the big screen. I'm very much looking forward to being on the panel at the event at St George’s, London on 15 February."

Other panellists this year include psychiatrist, journalist and author Dr Max Pemberton, director Mat Whitecross, BBC's Radio 1's Surgery doctor Dr Stuart Flanagan, BAFTA-award winning filmmaker Andy Glynne, doctor and stand-up comedian Dr Paul Sinha, and psychiatrists Professor Femi Oyebode, Dr Stephen Potts and Dr Ross Overshott.