During Film Fest Vaes, a special themed evening on youth mental health and performance pressure will take place in Maastricht on June 3.
At a time when social expectations, education, sports, and social media place immense pressure on young people, we aim to open up the conversation about what often remains unspoken. We talk a lot about performance and success, but far too little about stress, self-doubt, anxiety, and mental struggles. This evening seeks to change that by creating space for openness and honest dialogue.
The evening will be hosted by Hanna Verboom, actress and founder of Cinetree, who has long been committed to making mental health a topic of conversation. With her open and engaged approach, she will guide the discussion between filmmakers, former professional footballers — including Gianni Zuiverloon — and professionals working in the field.
At the heart of the evening is the screening of the powerful documentary ‘Echte mannen huilen niet’ (Real Men Don’t Cry), in which former professional footballers speak candidly about the mental challenges they faced during and after their careers. About the pressure to always appear strong. About expectations from others. About the feeling that failure is not an option. Their stories show that performance pressure is not limited to elite sports, but is a broader reality many young people face every day.
The core message of the evening is clear: vulnerability is not weakness, but strength. By opening the conversation, we show that no one has to face it alone. Youth mental health requires attention, understanding, and collaboration. During Film Fest Vaes, we take a step together toward greater openness, connection, and resilience.
Documentary and talks in Dutch.