FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ming Lai: 626-372-1301, shoot[at]humanistfilms[dot]com
 

Los Angeles, CA. August 11, 2017—“Visions of Warriors," a feature documentary about veterans who use photography therapy to treat their mental illness, directed by Ming Lai, will be released on Veterans Day (11/11/17).

Humanist Films will be self-distributing the film digitally through Amazon Video Direct, Apple iTunes, Google Play, and Vimeo on Demand as well as on their website: visionsofwarriors.com/store

In “Visions of Warriors,” four veterans from the Vietnam War era to the Iraq War participate in the groundbreaking Veteran Photo Recovery Project at the VA Menlo Park and use innovative photography therapy to treat their mental illness. 

The film features veterans Mark Pinto, Homerina “Marina” Bond, Ari Sonnenberg, and Priscilla “Peni” Bethel. 

The film also profiles the Veteran Photo Recovery Project team—founder and nurse practitioner Susan Quaglietti, art therapist Jeff Stadler, clinical social worker Ryan Gardner, and clinical psychologist Kristen McDonald. 

In addition, the film introduces other dynamic veterans who participated in the program.

The film received a generous grant from the Stanford Medicine & the Muse Program, premiered at the prestigious Vail Film Festival, and has been nominated for a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 2017 Voice Award. 

Since its premiere, the film has been screening at film festivals, conferences, universities, and special events. 

Ming Lai, the producer/writer/director of “Visions of Warriors,” relates, “After learning about Susan Quaglietti and the Veteran Photo Recovery Project, we were inspired to create a feature documentary about her compassionate work. We were deeply moved by the veterans’ powerful stories.”

He acknowledges, “Our film wouldn’t have been possible without all the extraordinary veterans and mental health providers in the film, our talented crew and post-production team, and our generous grantors, sponsors, donors, and supporters. Hopefully, our film raises awareness about the rise of veteran mental illness and the power of innovative photography therapy to treat it.”

To learn more about Visions of Warriors: 
visionsofwarriors.com

To obtain an Electronic Press Kit: 
visionsofwarriors.com/electronic-press-kit

ABOUT HUMANIST FILMS, LLC & MING LAI:
Humanist Films, LLC is a film and photography production company, based in Los Angeles. Founded by filmmaker and photographer Ming Lai, Humanist Films is less of a traditional production company than an innovative think tank, gathering the brightest minds to research, plan, create, and change. Our interdisciplinary work ranges from narrative and documentary films to commercials and corporate videos to fine art and documentary photography projects. The name of our company honors legendary director, Akira Kurosawa, who was praised for his humanist compassion and inspired us to become filmmakers. 

To learn more about Humanist Films:
humanistfilms.com