LOS ANGELES
Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan of Citronella Stories are thrilled to announce their award-winning animated short film, BUG THERAPY, will have a special limited release in North America across online platforms and select theaters, at no cost, for the entire month of May, to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. The film, which highlights the importance of therapy and mental health, will begin a wider release in June, with plans for a global release this fall.
BUG THERAPY, which has received stellar reviews and festival awards, includes characters voiced by Dr. Phil McGraw, Meghan Trainor, Jay Leno, Sterling K. Brown, Tom Green, Emily Goglia, and Jason Reisig and was the recipient of an Epic Games MegaGrant. The talented team of filmmakers are also in development on BUG THERAPY the feature film, as well as a series.
“The writers saw comedy as a way to successfully tackle serious issues while sticking to a family-friendly format.”Reported ABC News.
“Don’t bug out! Go to Bug Therapy!” Said Debra Levine, Editor/Publisher of ArtsMeme.
What Is Bug Therapy About?
It’s a story about a mosquito who faints at the sight of blood.
The film is directed by Jason Reisig (Smallfoot) and written/created by Emmy-nominated former Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon writer Michael Jann, and Michele Jourdan, of Citronella Stories, and animated by 88 Pictures. Randy Mills is Producer. Eric Bergman Co-Produces. Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan of Citronella Stories are Executive Producers, along with Jason Reisig, Randy Mills, and 88 Pictures’ Milind D. Shinde.
In BUG THERAPY, Citronella (Trainor), a mosquito who faints at the sight of blood, tries to muster the courage to attend group therapy, led by Dr. Pill (Dr. Phil McGraw), to overcome her phobia. She learns that everyone faces mental health struggles – Stick Bug (Brown) battles depression over never feeling seen, Fly (Leno) is OCD and germaphobic and can’t stop washing his hands, Grasshopper (Green) suffers from addiction to coffee, Praying Mantis (Goglia) is narcissistic/delusional and believes she’s God, Dragonfly couple (film writers Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan) are co-dependent, and Spider (Reisig) tries to overcome his phobia of spiders.
Why An Animated Film On Mental Health?
Animated films continue to break barriers and box office records all over the globe, as evident with 2023 Academy AwardⓇ-winner for Best Animated Film, PINOCCHIO, 2022, Academy AwardⓇ-winner for Best Animated Film, ENCANTO, and INSIDE OUT, which, like BUG THERAPY, addresses mental health issues in a creative and positive way, and won the 2015 Oscar for Best Animated Film. Due to its popularity, a sequel, INSIDE OUT 2 is in production and set for release in June of 2024. The combined box office earnings of these three films alone stretch well over $1 Billion. Many of these films have taken home multiple OscarⓇ Awards, Golden GlobesⓇ, GrammyⓇ Awards and more. This is a clear demonstration of the massive popularity and global demand for meaningful, captivating elevated animated genre films like BUG THERAPY.
Said Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan: “Right now, more people than ever are struggling with mental-health. We just wanted to make people laugh, and say ‘everyone struggles with something, and there’s no shame in asking for help’. We’re blown away by the amazing stars who instantly jumped on board to make this film as funny and entertaining as it is. Their hilarious performances show, ‘it’s okay to not be okay!’”
How To Watch Bug Therapy For Free In May
This special limited release of BUG THERAPY across online platforms will begin on May 1st, May Day, an appropriate date as the origin of “Mayday” comes from the French phrase ‘M’aidez’, which means “Help me”, and fits with the main messages of the film.
BUG THERAPY is also set to screen at NAMICon 2023, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Conference which takes place in Minneapolis, MN from May 24-27, 2023 with encore screenings online June 6-8, 2023 during the NAMICon virtual conference, Writer/creators Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan will be screening the film and sharing their personal story at the event.
“Your film is literally our mission statement! To fight the stigma, and to change the conversation about mental health. This could help SO many people.” Said Jessica Cruz, NAMI CA CEO.
NAMICon features more than 50 sessions with those who are passionate about mental health, and a networking environment to allow attendees to make meaningful, lasting connections in an environment that energizes, inspires and educates. NAMICon will engage, challenge, and include guests in dynamic discussions and inspiring moments —all in the name of mental health awareness, education and advocacy.
Jann and Jourdan are represented by Mitchel Stein of The Stein Agency, Angie Lucania and Sean Dubravac of Entertainment Lab, and Lon Haber & Co | Mugsy PR.
McGraw is repped by UTA.
Trainor is repped by CAA.
Leno is repped by ICM.
Brown is repped by CAA and JWS Entertainment.
Green is repped by Gersh and The Conversation Company.
Goglia is repped by Firestarter Entertainment.
Reisig is repped by Hummel Entertainment.
