Global Release Set for Bug Therapy

Global Release Set for Bug Therapy with Sterling K Brown, Meghan Trainor and more

Animated, Star-Studded BUG THERAPY, Starring Sterling K. Brown Meghan Trainor, Jay Leno, Dr. Phil McGraw, Tom Green, Emily Goglia and Jason Reisig Releasing Across Online Platforms and Select Theatres in North America, The UK,

France, Latin America, Italy, Spain, Australasia, Benelux, Germany and more

Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan of Citronella Stories are thrilled to announce their award-winning animated film, BUG THERAPY, is set for a global release across online platforms and select theaters in North America, France, The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Latin America, Benelux, Scandinavia and German-speaking territories, with additional deals on the table. The film, which highlights the importance of therapy and mental health, made its Cannes World Market Premiere via Lon Haber & Co | IPPR. BUG THERAPY and is also in development in a new feature-length film and a television series simultaneously and will be available for a limited time at no cost to select audiences to celebrate and support Mental Health Awareness Month (May). Audiences in the above-named territories can get a sneak-peak of the film by clicking here.

“We’re excited that audiences from all over the world will get to experience the sensation that is Bug Therapy. This is a very special film with an extremely talented cast and crew, who all came together to share a vital message that could not be more timely,” said Lon Haber, CEO of Lon Haber & Co | IPPR. “Bug Therapy fills a significant hole in the marketplace for movies of all genres with a message of healing and acceptance, and the reception from both the industry and audiences from all corners of the globe has been astounding.”

BUG THERAPY has received stellar reviews and festival awards and includes characters voiced by Sterling K. Brown, Meghan Trainor, Jay Leno,  Dr. Phil McGraw, Tom Green, Emily Goglia, and Jason Reisig. It was also the recipient of an Epic Games MegaGrant.

“The writers saw comedy as a way to successfully tackle serious issues while sticking to a family-friendly format.” Reported ABC News.

What is Bug Therapy About?

In BUG THERAPY, Citronella (Trainor), a mosquito who faints at the sight of blood, tries to muster the courage to attend group therapy, led by Dr. Pill (Dr. Phil McGraw), to overcome her phobia. She learns that everyone faces mental health struggles – Stick Bug (Brown) battles depression over never feeling seen, Fly (Leno) is OCD and germaphobic and can’t stop washing his hands, Grasshopper (Green) suffers from addiction to coffee, Praying Mantis (Goglia) is narcissistic/delusional and believes she’s God, Dragonfly couple (film writers Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan) are co-dependent, and Spider (Reisig) tries to overcome his phobia of spiders.

Directed by Jason Reisig (Smallfoot) and written/created by Emmy-nominated former Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon writer Michael Jann, and Michele Jourdan, of Citronella Stories, and animated by 88 Pictures. Randy Mills is Producer. Eric Bergman Co-Produces. Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan of Citronella Stories are Executive Producers, along with Jason Reisig, Randy Mills, and 88 Pictures’ Milind D. Shinde.

Why An Animated Film On Mental Health?

Animated films continue to break barriers and box office records all over the globe, as evident with 2023 Academy AwardⓇ-winner for Best Animated Film, PINOCCHIO, 2022, Academy AwardⓇ-winner for Best Animated Film, ENCANTO, and INSIDE OUT, which, like BUG THERAPY, addresses mental health issues in a creative and positive way, and won the 2015 Oscar for Best Animated Film. Due to its popularity, a sequel, INSIDE OUT 2 is in production and set for release in June of 2024. The combined box office earnings of these three films alone stretch well over $1 Billion. Many of these films have taken home multiple OscarⓇ Awards, Golden GlobesⓇ, GrammyⓇ Awards and more. This is a clear demonstration of the massive popularity and global demand for meaningful, captivating elevated animated genre films like BUG THERAPY.

“Right now, more people than ever are struggling with mental-health. We just wanted to make people laugh, and say ‘everyone struggles with something, and there’s no shame in asking for help’,” said writer/producers Michael Jann and Michele Jourdan. “We’re blown away by the amazing stars who instantly jumped on board to make this film as funny and entertaining as it is. Their hilarious performances show, ‘it’s okay to not be okay.’”

“Your film is literally our mission statement! To fight the stigma, and to change the conversation about mental health. This could help SO many people.” Said Jessica Cruz, NAMI CA CEO.

NAMICon features more than 50 sessions with those who are passionate about mental health, and a networking environment to allow attendees to make meaningful, lasting connections in an environment that energizes, inspires and educates. NAMICon will engage, challenge, and include guests in dynamic discussions and inspiring moments —all in the name of mental health awareness, education and advocacy.