Through Perdido, honest conversation and trusted community partnerships, Bilal World Entertainment is creating spaces where Black and Latino men can talk about mental health, connect with support and begin healing.
One film.
Three cities.
Real impact.
Perdido is more than a film. It is a powerful movement sparking honest conversations, challenging mental health stigma and inspiring communities to heal.
From Chicago to the Bronx and Harlem, our Confronting the Stigma events brought film, mental health professionals, advocates and community members together for unforgettable experiences. Through powerful screenings, engaging panel discussions and direct access to vital resources, audiences were encouraged to break the silence, seek support and turn awareness into action.
3
1,700+
Cities Reached
Registrations
14+
Community Organization
7
Mental Health Books Distributed
The Journey
Each community event was designed to meet the unique needs of its community while advancing one shared mission: reduce stigma, make support easier to access and remind people that healing is possible.
Chicago • 2023
The World Premiere
The Chicago event brought together members of the Perdido cast and crew, mental health professionals, advocates and many of the crowdfunding supporters who helped bring the film to life. It was a powerful celebration of community, collaboration and the shared mission to confront mental health stigma and inspire healing.
More than 1,000 registrations
Film screening and community conversation
National exposure for culturally responsive mental-health storytelling
Bronx, New York • February 8, 2025
Hostos Community College
Hosted by renowned psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Gardere, the Perdido screening brought the Bronx community together for an honest conversation about mental wellness, childhood trauma, and men’s mental health.
The panel featured Dr. Yusef Salaam and Chris V. Rey, International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
613 registrations
Local and national mental health partners
A culturally relevant space for healing and connection
Harlem, New York • June 6, 2026
PS 180 Hugo Newman
Our Harlem event expanded the experience into a community resource fair, red carpet, Perdido screening and live panel. Attendees could learn, be seen and connect directly with organizations prepared to help.
125 attendees and 14 participating organizations
On-site health and wellness resources, including prostate testing
Seven mental-health books given away
Panel conversation with clinicians, advocates and the film’s creator
Why
Perdido
matters
The film follows a Black man who seeks therapy after a police encounter reawakens childhood trauma. By placing vulnerability, therapy and healing at the center of the story, Perdido gives audiences language for experiences they may recognize but have never discussed.
We use the screen to open the conversation—and community partnerships to help people take the next step.
Impact In Action
Stories start conversations. Community creates change.
Bilal World Entertainment welcomes schools, universities, nonprofits, health organizations and community partners to bring Perdido and “Confronting the Stigma” to new audiences.