How Making a Short Film Helped Me Embrace My Anxiety — A Conversation with A Little Grey Director Simon Hewitt
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to close it, we wanted to share a film and filmmaker that stayed with us long after the credits rolled. A Little Grey is a five-minute animated short that captures a deeply personal experience with anxiety, fatherhood, and rediscovery. We spoke with the director, Simon Hewitt, about the story behind the film, how it helped him cope, and why he hopes others might feel seen through it.
Q&A with Simon Hewitt
Q: What prompted/inspired you to make this film?
I struggled with quite intense anxiety throughout most of my 20s and into my 30s, and I'm not fully out of the woods even now at 48. In 2016, with a six-year-old son, I started reflecting on how my anxiety had evolved. I realized that since he was born, my perspective shifted—I had someone more important to worry about than myself. That helped ease the grip of anxiety. I saw myself in the character of Grey, and my son as the spark that reignited a sense of purpose. That's where the film began.
Q: We don’t often see men talk openly about their mental health. Did you feel like you were breaking a stigma?
Maybe. But honestly, I just don’t see the point in pride getting in the way of feeling okay. Pride is a barrier. I had dark thoughts too, and I know what it's like to listen to them. I don’t know if I was ever at serious risk, but I definitely flirted with the idea of giving up. What helped was opening up, getting counseling, and being honest. Now I just want to shout from the rooftops and say: it gets better.
Q: Was creating A Little Grey therapeutic for you?
Hell yes. Telling that story felt honest. It felt like I had turned pain into something useful. And hopefully helpful to others too. We need to break the taboo. The taboo is ridiculous.
Q: Why did you choose to tell this story as a short film?
It didn’t feel like a story that needed a full feature. I didn’t want to wallow or make something overly self-indulgent. I wanted it to be what it needed to be. A short story. A quick hit. Something that quietly sticks with you.
Q: Has mental health continued to be a theme in your work?
Not really, at least not directly. I run an advertising agency in London, so I'm always around creative projects. I have more film ideas, but I also have two kids and a business. Life is full, and I haven’t yet made another personal film. But never say never.
Q: Did making A Little Grey change your career?
Not exactly. It didn’t launch a film career or anything. But it reminds people that I believe in stories. And that matters in advertising too. Fun fact: my agency is called The Orange Panther Collective. "Orange" is a nod to A Little Grey, and the name was my son's idea.
Q: After releasing the film, did it lead to new conversations?
A few people opened up about their own mental health struggles, which was really moving. I didn’t want to push the message too hard, but I love that it sparked something in others. That was the goal.
Q: Looking back, did you expect the film to resonate the way it has?
Honestly, no. I still don’t know how big of an impact it had, but I did have a call from Creative Artists Agency in LA. They liked my work, but I didn’t pursue it. What meant more to me was people reaching out and sharing their stories.
Q: Do you have a favorite mental health short film (besides your own)?
There’s this mental health awareness ad that always hits me hard: watch it here.
Q: What advice would you give to up-and-coming filmmakers?
Make the thing. Don’t wait for perfection, or the right moment. I had a more complex version in my head for years and almost didn’t make anything. Then I found a team, made compromises, and told the story. It will never be perfect. But it will be yours. And it will matter.
Five Minutes That Might Change Your Day
Simon’s honesty, his artistry, and his message stuck with us. That’s why we wanted to end this month with his voice. You can watch A Little Grey now for free on FlixSnip — and maybe share it with someone who needs to see it.
🎬 Watch A Little Grey on FlixSnip