“Lava” (formerly known as “Backseats Facing Backwards”) has shape-shifted a lot since its conception in April of 2020. Its documentary origins planted the seed for an authentic journey and outcome. When reality became too tender and severe to document, “Lava” evolved into a fiction, a story infused with real, lived experiences. Our crew primarily consists of people who have a direct relationship with mental illness, whose input and sensibilities have helped to shape the film. “Lava” developed through an intense, hardworking 1.5 years of close collaboration — engaging others close to the epidemic of adolescent mental illness (incorporating their writing, artwork, insights, etc.) — via countless zooms, conversations, travels and creations, against the trying reality of COVID-19.

Through all of Lava’s iterations, a pillar that’s remained consistent is our approach of healing and intentionality. The roles of our Holistic Assistant Director, Liv Pratt, and our Wellness Consultant, Eniola Kolawole, embody these values. Liv and Eniola worked closely together to create a nurturing ecosystem on and off set. Mindfulness takes time, and it’s important that filmmakers, accustomed to a capitalist clock,  account for everyone’s needs and create an open, energizing, inspiring and safe environment. In offering personalized meditation, spaces for verbal processing and other forms of guidance, Eniola helped to keep cast and crew grounded as we individually and collectively navigated our relationships with mental health and creativity.

"Lava" is sponsored by the IAM Strong Foundation, which “works to shatter the stigma associated with teen mental health issues, emphasizing the need to treat mental health issues no differently than physical health issues.”