The SchizAwards

In an effort to combat the misrepresentation of schizophrenia in film and media, The Good Company, in collaboration with the NGO PositiveMinders, launched an innovative awareness campaign called the SchizAwards.

The campaign, unveiled on March 15 and accessible on social media and www.schizawards.com, featured a discussion analyzing portrayals of schizophrenia in film, aiming to educate the public about the realities of the disorder. Notably, Vincent Maraval, a distinguished producer known for acclaimed works such as The Artist and Blue Is the Warmest Color, championed the SchizAwards, emphasizing the importance of promoting understanding and awareness of schizophrenia.

Hosted by comedian Morgane Cadignan, the SchizAwards ceremony recognized films for their portrayal of schizophrenia, with awards presented by a jury of experts including individuals living with schizophrenia, relatives, psychiatrists, directors, and actors. The jury aimed to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate representations of the disorder in cinema.

The awards included:

SchizAward for the film misrepresenting a character as schizophrenic when they were not.
SchizAward for the film with the most inaccurate portrayal of schizophrenia, awarded to Ryan Reynolds.
SchizAward for the film providing the best representation of schizophrenia, awarded to Jamie Foxx.

The event featured prominent guests, including virtual representations of Jamie Foxx and Ryan Reynolds, to acknowledge their portrayals of schizophrenia in film. These virtual representations were created by AI and symbolized the importance of addressing misconceptions surrounding the disorder through fiction.

The SchizAwards aimed to challenge stereotypes and promote accurate representations of schizophrenia in cinema, ultimately fostering greater understanding and empathy for individuals living with the disorder. Through this campaign, The Good Company and PositiveMinders sought to combat stigma and raise awareness about the realities of schizophrenia in society.