Presented by Light House Studio in collaboration with the Community Mental Health & Wellness Coalition, The Gordie Center at UVA, and UVA Collegiate Recovery Program.
Film Description:
Nine artists recovering from addiction use the creative process to awaken their true selves and pursue another chance at life.
THE CREATIVE HIGH explores how artists grappling with substance use disorder harness creative expression to heal and rebuild meaningful lives. Through hip-hop, theater, dance, rock and roll, photography and painting, this revealing documentary showcases how various art mediums can inspire resilience and celebrate the human spirit.
From the exhilarating rush of performance to soulful moments in the studio, each artist navigates recovery through art. Candid interviews and intimate portrayals spotlight the complexities of addiction and recovery, offering a nuanced perspective. Seeking an alternative 'high' through creativity provides a gateway to vitality and spiritual connection.
Film Website: www.thecreativehigh.com
"The Creative High is a moving testimony to the power of healing through art, authenticity, and connection. These stories help counter the romantic notion that one 'has to suffer to be creative". - Susan Raeburn, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
One in seven individuals faces the challenges of substance use disorders. The tide is turning with a revolution in mental health and recovery advocacy. Alongside traditional addiction treatment methods, holistic health and arts therapies are increasingly prevalent, providing essential support for individuals in their healing journey. Extensive research on the benefits of creativity is widely documented suggesting creative expression can result in several outcomes for substance use disorders such as decreasing denial, fostering open communication, and lessening shame.
Filmmaker Biographies:
Adriana Marchione (Director) MA, REAT, RSMT has been involved in the arts for over thirty five years and is internationally recognized in her work as a movement-based expressive arts therapist and educator. She has presented her creative approach and documentary work at universities, festivals, and conferences including South by Southwest, the National Council on Drug and Alcohol Dependence, and the Commonwealth Club. Adriana takes on the topics of grief and addiction in her films When the Fall Comes and The Creative High which has received numerous awards including Jury Prize for Excellence in American Profiles from San Francisco IndieFest and Best Documentary for Women in Film at the Austin Indie Fest. www.art-cures.com
Dianne Griffin (Producer) is an acclaimed international filmmaker based in San Francisco with over 30 years of experience. Influenced by Zen Buddhism and a recovery practice, her unique perspective has shaped documentaries featured at prestigious venues like MOMA New York, the Lincoln Center, and Harvard Film Archive, and broadcast on PBS and streaming platforms. Her notable works include Painted Nails, about a Vietnamese salon owner's activism, and White Hotel, a personal documentary in Eritrea. Her latest project, The Creative High, explores creativity's transformative power. Dianne teaches filmmaking, crowdfunding, and social media marketing, and serves as a juror for UNAFF Stanford University. www.diannegriffin.com
