Music of the Brain

55 minute documentary; completed 2009

Synopsis

Music affects our development from the womb to the grave. This documentary examines the role music plays in developing our brains as humans, beginning with premature infants in neonatal intensive care wards, moving through the role of music in enhancing performance in childhood (including discussion of the Mozart effect), the role of music therapy in hospital patients, and finally looking at the elderly.
Music is good for our health - as non-Western tribal cultures have always known - and this documentary shows you how and why.

Featuring interviews by international neuropsychologists and music psychologists including Prof. Isabelle Peretz, Prof. Donald Hodges, Prof. John Sloboda, Dr Ian Cross & Assoc. Prof. Sarah Wilson.

Trailer

Awards and Screenings
  • Gold REMI Award at 2010 Worldfest Houston Awards, USA
  • Best Short Documentary at 2009 SkyFest Film Festival, USA
  • Winner of Dance & Music Related Film Competition at 2011 ReelHeART International
  • Film Festival (Canada)
  • Finalist at 2010 New York Festivals International TV & Film Awards
  • Finalist for Best Documentary & Best Cinematography for a Documentary at 2010 World Music & Independent Film Festival, USA
  • Honourable Mention at 2009 CHRIS Awards, USA
  • Award of Merit in 2009 Accolade Competition, USA
  • Official Selection at 2013 CinefestOz Film Festival, Australia
  • Official Selection at 2013 Benicia Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 La Femme Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Chicago International Movies & Music Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Louisville’s International Festival of Films, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Utopia Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Indie Spirit Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 White Sands International Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Connecticut Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 DocMiami International Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Riverside International Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Carolina Film & Video Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Awareness Fest, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Docutah, Southern Utah Int. Documentary Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 International Arts & Health Conference, Australia
  • Official Selection at 2009 Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2009 Revolve Film & Music Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2009 chashama film festival, New York
  • Official Selection at 2009 Paso Digital Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2009 Music Council of Australia conference

Creative Team

  • DIRECTOR/PRODUCER – Fiona Cochrane
  • RESEARCHER/WRITER – Emma O’Brien
  • CINEMATOGRAPHER – Zbigniew Friedrich
  • EDITOR – Sioux Currie

Distribution