13 May 2026
Young people from Brilliant Film Academy have helped create a powerful new campaign film for St Albans mental health charity Youth Talk, highlighting the realities of growing up today and the importance of making sure young people have someone to talk to.
Launched for Mental Health Awareness Week, the film is designed to encourage local people and businesses to support the charity’s vital work, and is being screened at the Odyssey Cinema in St Albans throughout the week.
Created by Youth Talk and filmed in collaboration with local students from Brilliant Film Academy, the film combines honest reflections from young people and family members who have been supported by the charity. It delivers a clear message: young people need to feel heard, understood and supported.
Students involved in the project used the power of storytelling through film to help spark more open conversations around mental health and remind young people that they are not alone in what they are feeling.
David Jenkins, founder of Brilliant Film Academy, said: “Mental health affects so many young people now, and this was an incredibly meaningful project to be part of.
“At Brilliant Film Academy, we believe young people create their best work when they’re trusted with real opportunities and real stories to tell. For our students to help create something that could genuinely encourage another young person to seek support makes us hugely proud.”
Odyssey manager Bethany Nicholson said: “We’re incredibly proud to support Youth Talk and help bring this important campaign to the community during Mental Health Awareness Week. The film is powerful, honest and deeply moving, and we hope screening it at the Odyssey encourages more conversations about young people’s mental health and the importance of support.”
David Barker, CEO of Youth Talk, added: “It was great to work alongside students from Brilliant Film Academy and delightful to see young people making something for the benefit of other young people.”
The film was supported by a range of local businesses and community partners, including corporate partner KDW Financial Planning, which featured in the film, Bennetts Car Parts, which supported the filmmaking process, and Artoplasia Greek Bakery, George Street Canteen and The Boot pub, which all provided locations.
To watch the film, visit https://www.instagram.com/youth_talk_sa/ or https://www.instagram.com/brilliantfilmacademy/
