Movies and guest speakers are at the center of the second annual Recovery Film Festival and Conference on Sept. 18-20 at the University of North Texas Gateway Center.
Guest speakers Brian Cuban, Robert Weiss and John Shinholser will share their stories of addiction and disorder during the festival and conference. Cuban, author of Shattered Image: My Triumph Over Body Dysmorphic Disorder, will discuss his eating disorder and how he used drugs and alcohol to cope with it. Weiss will share his story of sex addiction and recovery from it. Shinholser, who is in long-term recovery, will share his struggle and recovery and will discuss the full-service recovery organization he co-founded in Virginia.
The conference workshops are aimed at professionals and academics in the recovery field, but the film festival opens the conference’s discussion and goals to people affected by addiction and those interested in learning about it.
Eagle Peer Recovery, the conference sponsor, presents the festival and conference collaboration with community, regional and national partners. Proceeds will support services such as peer mentoring, academic tutoring, life skills training, social events and information resources for UNT students, staff and faculty living in recovery from substance use or mental health disorders, and for those wanting to lead and mentor others in becoming sober.
Full conference and film festival admission costs $150.
For the film festival only, full festival admission costs $35 and one-day admission costs $15.
For more information, visit www.eaglepeerrecovery.com. To register, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/629254 .
— Staff report
UNT RECOVERY FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Thursday, Sept. 18
4:30 p.m. - Sharing the Secret - A teenage girl feigns happiness and perfection, but hides her anorexia and bulimia. 2000. Not rated, 90 minutes.
7:30 p.m. - Out of Sight - A documentary about a blind woman who musters the courage to leave her alcoholic boyfriend. 1995. Not rated. 90 minutes.
Friday, Sept. 19
4:30 p.m. - Thanks for Sharing - A romantic comedy follows three sex addicts as they try to forge relationships in recovery. 2012. Rated R, 112 minutes.
7:30 p.m. - Shame - Brandon, a 30-year-old New Yorker, can’t control his sex life. 2011. Rated NC-17, 101 minutes,
Saturday, Sept. 20
4:30 p.m. - The Anonymous People - A documentary about some of the 23 million Americans in longterm recovery. 2013. Not rated, 88 minutes.
