Mercedes van Royen's family knows too well the impact depression can have.
The 12-year-old's grandfather took his own life after battling with depression for years. He's the reason for her documentary titled Just Another Word, which has been selected from thousands of entries for the Vermont Film Festival.
Mercedes' mother Merina van Royen sayd she couldn't be more proud of her daughter.
The documentary "puts a taboo subject out there", she said.
"It carries a message that it is okay to ask for help. You should try and help people before its to late, because we under estimated the seriousness of it with our own grandad," she said.
Mercedes made the documentary for the "Outlook for Someday" film challenge last year. As one of 20 winners, it was entered in the festival.
The documentary stars Mercedes' grandmother and is about her late grandfather's depression.
Following her success, Mercedes plans to enter the film challenge every year.
The Vermont Film Festival begins in June.