by FilmInk Staff

New Documentary Raising Superheroes Asks: What If Mental Illness Was Preventable?

Half of all mental illness begins before the age of 14, while 75% begins before the age of 24. Yet less than 1% of Australia’s federal mental health budget is directed towards prevention. Award-winning journalist and filmmaker Shannon Harvey is on a mission to change that.

In this feature documentary, Raising Superheroes explores the evidence, people and communities working to prevent mental illness before crisis occurs. Featuring leading experts including Professor Willem Kuyken, Professor Vikram Patel, Professor Charles Nelson, Professor Theresa Betancourt, Professor Ann Masten, Dr Tom Insel, Professor Frank Oberklaid AM and Professor Maree Teesson AC, Raising Superheroes follows the people and places proving prevention works and in response launches 5% for Prevention, a national campaign calling on the Australian Government to commit 5% of mental health funding to evidence-based prevention in the May 2027 Budget.

Produced by Spark Studios, Raising Superheroes will premiere in Australian theatres during Mental Health Awareness Month in October 2026, including:

  • Sydney: 6.45pm on Wednesday 21 October, Hayden Orpheum Cinema | Tickets Here
  • Melbourne: 6.30pm on Tuesday 27 October, The Astor Theatre | Tickets Here
  • Brisbane: 6.30pm on Thursday 29 October, Plaza Auditorium @ Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre | Tickets Here

Communities, schools and community organisations across Australia will be able to host free screenings until March 2027. The film will also be available to watch free online for seven days in November.

More than 150 organisations have joined the alliance supporting the film’s release, including mental health bodies, researchers, schools, community organisations and advocates. An in-kind media partnership with UnLtd and Havas will help bring the film and its message to millions of viewers.

Shannon Harvey, Director and Producer said:

“Mental illness is not inevitable. The conditions children grow up in can profoundly influence their mental health, and prevention is already working in communities around the world.”

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