Our nation is in the midst of an opiate epidemic and Indian River County is not immune to the problem. The county has experienced a 70% increase in overdoses from 2020-2021. The impacts of these overdoses are visible in our families, schools, churches, hospitals, workplaces, and neighborhoods. The Substance Awareness Center is proud to partner with the Vero Beach Film Festival to provide a special presentation of the “The Addict’s Wake.”
This poignant documentary depicts both the heartbreak and hope surrounding the opioid epidemic in Brown County, Indiana and the community’s response. It will be screened at the Vero Beach film festival, which runs June 9-12th. Filmed in Brown County, the documentary captures how a small, tight-knit community has been impacted by one of the most widespread public health issues of our time. From the fear of overdose and stigma of addiction to real-life ramifications faced by those affected, “The Addict’s Wake” shows the depth of the crisis, while also shedding light on a pathway forward.
There will be a special presentation of the film on Thursday, June 9th at 2:00 p.m. at the Women’s Club to include Questions and Answers with the film’s Director, Michael Husain, Carrie Lester the Executive Director of the Substance Awareness Center, and Jill Landes Film Festival Board of Directors. We hope that this film will help spark our community to look at the issue here; what we are doing well and what we can do better in alleviating the physical, emotional, and financial toll of addiction in our community. The film festival is offering a special rate for the Thursday showing which can be purchased at the door. There will be an additional screening (full price) of the film on June 10th at 9:30 a.m. at the Theatre Guild.
Carrie Lester, Executive Director of the Substance Awareness Center of Indian River County states, “Overdoses have more than doubled here in Indian River County over the past two years and that the story of Brown County is truly one of “Any” County. We are proud to help shine a spotlight on the addiction as a public health issue and be a part our community’s response to the epidemic we face. We hope this film helps to raise awareness and mobilization to address the addiction crisis here in Indian River County.”
A film that resonates with any audience, “The Addict’s Wake” won the Heartland International Film Festival’s 2021 Indiana Spotlight Grand Prize and the Indiana Spotlight Audience Choice Award. It also captured the Independent Spirit Award in February at the Sedona International Film Festival and was awarded Best Film at Hoosier Fest in March.
“We are so excited and honored to be sharing ‘The Addict’s Wake’ in Vero Beach Florida,” said Executive Producer Lisa Hall. “Throughout this whole project, our goal has been to raise awareness for the opioid crisis so that those struggling with addiction, as well as those impacted by this issue, can find help, hope, and healing.”
The film festival is offering a special rate of $10 for the Thursday showing which can be purchased online https://www.eventbrite.com/e/movie-screening-addicts-wake-wdirector-interview-by-substance-awareness-tickets-345875652387 , at the door, or consider purchasing passes for the Film Festival purchased at https://vbfilmfest.org/purchase-passes/. There will be an additional screening (full price) of the film on June 10th at 9:30 a.m. at the Theatre Guild.
About The Addict’s Wake: A film by Glory Girl Productions, “The Addict’s Wake” is a story of addiction in Brown County, Indiana. The documentary explores how one community has been impacted by the ever-growing, national opioid epidemic. One of the most widespread public health issues of our time, “The Addict’s Wake” showcases the struggles of opioid addiction, as well as the long road to recovery. With a message of hope and healing, this documentary is a real-life depiction of the profound impact the addiction crisis has upon all those affected.