Composer and filmmaker Matthew Ferraro’s short documentary, The Runner, is beginning to run away with awards and invitations to other festivals. In April, the film was chosen to be one of the opening films at The American Documentary and Animation Film Festival in Palm Springs, where it was widely praised. It went on to premiere in June at the Marina del Rey Film Festival where the composer walked away with the award for Best Score Short Documentary Film, selected from about 300 film scores. The Runner is an inspiring film about a friend’s journey through mental health challenges that he overcomes through running and different psychological therapies to overcome his severe depression and anxiety. “I’m honored to receive the award,� Ferraro said. “We made the film to help my friend and to contribute to a healthier conversation around these issues. It’s an inspiring true story at a time when the need to address and destigmatize mental health has come to the world stage.�