Doxumentale'26 Dx'Hub What's Soup: Mental Health and Care in Documentary Practice

D'25 Dx'Hub What's Soup: Mental Health and Care in Documentary Practice

Dx'Hub

What's Soup: Mental Health and Care in Documentary Practice

30 May, 2026, 1.00 PM @ Festival Center: Lounge 19

Event language: English

Documentary work often unfolds under intense emotional and psychological pressure. This workshop explores the complex relationship between mental health, storytelling, and the filmmaking process itself. It looks at how stress and mental health challenges shape creative work, how mental health is represented in media, and how filmmakers can better navigate their own well-being throughout production.

At its core is the question of how to create sustainable and supportive environments – both internally and within teams. What does it mean to work responsibly with one’s own mental health and that of others? And how can awareness translate into concrete practices on set and beyond? Through interactive small-group exchanges, the workshop invites participants to reflect on best practices, common pitfalls, and the realities of working under pressure. Rather than offering quick fixes, it aims to provide practical tools and shared insights for fostering healthier creative processes. The session is led by Andrew GottWorth, advocate for the International OCD Foundation and protagonist of the documentary Throw Your Heart Into the Sea, as well as Eric Schirl, director of the documentary. The conversation happens over a cup of soup.

*Soup and one Soft Drink is included.

Tickets

Program Info

Mental Health Workshop

Guests

Andrew GottWorth

Andrew GottWorth (he/any) is a mental health advocate, educator, and trainer in Berlin Germany, from Louisville, Kentucky. He serves as the Communication & Community Coordinator for Orchard OCD, and volunteers as a Disc Golf trainer. He is an International OCD Foundation Advocate, and runs an International Networking & Advocacy Group. He has presented mental health workshops for conferences, nonprofits, and students. He is a protagonist in the documentary “Throw Your Heart Into The Sea”.

Eric Schirl

Eric Schirl is from Linz, Austria and made directorial debut with “Throw Your Heart Into The Sea”, as well as being the co-editor, and cinematographer. Previously, he was on the team behind the feature film “Birgitta's Friends” (Christian Kogler, 2021) and several short films. Alongside his work as a filmmaker, Eric Schirl is a teacher in Vienna and runs a film podcast called “Filmseiterl”.