Professional praise for Man Down

Thursday 17 October 2019

The locally produced documentary raising awareness of male mental health has been nominated for a film festival prize, with the man behind it heading to London for tonight's awards evening.

Gaz Papworth produced and directed Man Down, interviewing a number of other Guernseymen about their own experiences.

He and Philip Surry, the main facilitator behind the male mental health support group Man Club Guernsey, will both be at the I AM Film Festival in Canary Wharf tonight where Man Down is up for 'Best Documentary'.

There are just two films shortlisted in the category with the Guernsey based documentary up against 'Zero as You Are' by director Miyuki Tokoi.

Pictured: All of the shortlisted nominees for the I AM Film Festival awards. 

In a statement on his Man Down Documentary Facebook page, Mr Papworth said; "we are delighted and humbled to announce that myself, Gaz and Philip Surry from The Man Club, will be in London this Thursday evening to attend a red carpet event “I AM Film Festival” in Canary Wharf.

"We are one of two films selected to potentially win the award for ‘Best Documentary’. Over seven months of hard work creating a powerful project surrounding the incredibly in-depth subject of male mental health.

"A huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to view the film and also again, to the brave people who have taken part. From the feedback we have received, I really believe we have accomplished an incredibly important thing here and even possibly saved lives."

The initial local screenings of the documentary were so successful that extra showings were booked. There is another tonight and the final one is due to be held on 21 October, both at the Princess Royal Performing Arts Centre.

Any available tickets can be booked via guernseytickets.gg

Mr Papworth is also offering businesses the chance to organise private screenings for their staff.

KPMG and Healthspan were the first to take up the opportunity. 

Pictured top: Gaz Papworth.