Anxious Nation, a new documentary that takes a deep look into the crisis of anxiety and mental health in America, especially its crippling impact on kids and families, will open in select theaters nationwide and online on May 5, 2023.
Directed by Academy Award winner Vanessa Roth (Freeheld), and co-directed, written and produced by 21-time New York Times Bestselling Author and first-time filmmaker, Laura Morton, the film features leading voices and experts of the mental health movement, including Executive Producer Kathy Ireland, Roth, Morton and cast members Tim Storey and Lynn Lyons and many more.
Anxious Nation explores and captures the many faces and facets of anxiety. The film delves into the crisis of mental health and anxiety in America, while focusing on subjects ages 11-26 and their families. This unabashedly honest and insightful film provides audiences with a raw and intimate look into the lives of families and kids grappling with anxiety and the duality of how their parents are trying to understand and help. The filmmakers and Ireland, all moms themselves, tenderly share the vulnerability of these families in an effort to help others who are currently struggling with similar issues in private.
On May 3rd, in partnership with event-based theatrical distributor Area 23a and Lasega Films, Anxious Nation will host a world premiere virtual screening of the film along with an intimate conversation to follow in the Anxious Nation Virtual Cinema, which will feature a “virtual wall” where people can anonymously leave messages 24/7 about how are they are feeling and maintain a true connection with the Anxious Nation community. The event will be moderated by Joan Lunden and will include Kathy Ireland, Tim Storey and other mental health professionals. Moviegoers can access the virtual cinema through www.AnxiousNation.com.
On May 5, the film will open at the Village East (Angelika) in NYC and in Los Angeles at the Leammle Monica Film Center, and will expand into other markets across the nation including Boston, Dallas and more on May 12. It will also be digitally available through the Anxious Nation Virtual Cinema on May 5.
The film premiered at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and has been featured in several other festivals including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, St. Louis International Film Festival, and the Miami International Film Festival. Morton and Roth won the “Fearless Female Filmmaker Award” at the 2022 Coronado Film Festival.