Behind The Joy: Atlanta Premiere Screening & Community Conversation

Atlanta, we are bringing Behind The Joy to you.

Join us for the Atlanta premiere of Behind The Joy, an award-winning independent film written and directed by Jamal Smart. The film explores postpartum depression, family dynamics, emotional silence, and the often-overlooked mental health struggles that can impact mothers, fathers, and families after childbirth.

This screening is more than a film event. It is part of a larger impact weekend designed to bring awareness, conversation, and resources to the issue of postpartum mental health, especially in Black and Brown communities.

The evening will include a screening of Behind The Joy, a live director Q&A, and a community-centered conversation around maternal mental health, support systems, and what it means to care for the people who are often expected to hold everyone else together.

Behind The Joy follows a family navigating the emotional weight of postpartum depression and the silence that often surrounds it. The film sheds light on what happens when pain goes unseen, communication breaks down, and loved ones struggle to understand what support truly looks like.

Through honest storytelling, Behind The Joy creates space for families, healthcare workers, birth workers, advocates, and community members to have a deeper conversation about postpartum depression and the importance of early support, compassion, and awareness.

Postpartum depression and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect families across all backgrounds, but stigma, cultural silence, lack of access, and fear of judgment often prevent people from getting help.

For many families, the struggle does not look obvious from the outside. People may appear happy, strong, or “fine,” while silently carrying depression, anxiety, fear, resentment, or emotional exhaustion.

This event is designed to help change that.

Through film and conversation, Behind The Joy invites the Atlanta community to talk openly about:

• Postpartum depression and emotional wellness after childbirth
• The mental health of mothers, fathers, and families
• The role of partners, relatives, and community support
• Breaking stigma in Black and Brown communities
• The importance of culturally aware care and resources
• How storytelling can be used as a tool for healing and awareness

Guests can expect:

• Red carpet-style arrival and networking
• Screening of the award-winning film Behind The Joy
• Live Q&A with writer/director Jamal Smart
• Community conversation around postpartum mental health
• Opportunities to connect with local organizations, advocates, and resources
• A meaningful evening centered on film, awareness, and impact

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

3300 Northeast Expy, 3300 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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