BY MY SIDE
2023 • Documentary
Availability
Virtual
Available until Sep 23, 2026
Available Worldwide
Flex Virtual
Available until Sep 23, 2026
Available Worldwide
In-person
Available until Sep 23, 2026
Available Worldwide
Speakers Available
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About the film
WATCH Q&A with cast members and team
BY MY SIDE tells a story of hope and possibility in an intimate portrait of three veterans suffering with the invisible wound PTSD, the most prevalent and unhealed wound experienced by veterans. Through heartfelt interviews with the families and revealing footage of bonding with their service animals, the film demonstrates how wo/man’s best friend mitigates the psychic scars imprinted on those who have been in service to our country.
Official selection in over 50 film festivals .
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"This is a terrific film... very empathetic"
-Robert A. McDonald, former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
“BY MY SIDE is opening up peoples’ hearts”
-Anne Dunsmore | Angel Force USA
"As a military spouse, I felt heard, seen and validated "
- Gemma Uribe-Cruz, USMC veteran spouse.
"I encourage anyone who cares for a veteran or is a dog lover to watch this powerful film"
- Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH
"An accurate and authentic portrayal"
- L. Williams | Psychologist
Director
Vicki Topaz
Producer
Michael Collins
Crew
Wynn Padula, Andrew Dost, Dana Laman
Awards & recognition
Life Fest Film Festival
Best Cinematographer, Documentary Film
Hispanic Film Festival
Best Documentary Short
GI Film Festival
Honorable Mention/Founders Award
Texas Short Film Festival
Best Documentary Film
GI Film Festival - Best of Fest
Best of Fest
Texas Short Film Festival
Finalist Award Best Director
Oregon Short Film Festival
Best Documentary Film
Oregon Documentary Film Festival
Most Inspirational Film
Social Justice Film Festival
Silver Prize | Documentary Featurette
San Francisco Short Film Festival
Best U.S. Documentary
Utopia Film Festival
Honorable Mention | Outstanding Short Film
Alexandria Film Festival
Best Service to Humanity Achievement in Filmaking
Kansas City Film Fest International
Best Documentary Short
Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival
Kate Hearst Prize for Human Connectivity
Life Fest Film Festival
Best Director, Documentary Film
London Director Awards
Best Senior Director
United Nations Association Film Festival
Best Short Documentary
Global Film Exhibition
Best Short Documentary
Dumbo Film Festival
Semi-Finalist
Tarzana International Film Festival
Finalist Best Documentary
Award of Recognition
Senator John Laird, Senate District 17, California
What people are saying
“"BY MY SIDE" demonstrates in real time how the service dog and therapist provide support for the combat Veteran. In a very empathetic way, the film shows how the pairing works. This is a terrific film.” -Robert A. McDonald, former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affair”
-Robert A. McDonald, former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affair
““By My Side” also delves into the impact PTSD can have on the veterans’ families. Accounts from their children and partners show how war trauma not only affects the veteran, but those closest to them upon returning home. Family members discuss the change in behavior when the veteran in their family returns home from war. One of the most compelling aspects the documentary offers are the science-backed accounts weaved in throughout from neurobiology expert Meg Daley Olmert. At one point, Olmert provides an explanation on how Oxytocin – a hormone the brain releases during social bonding – is released when humans interact with dogs. Olmert says dogs also experience a release of this chemical when they interact with us, which explains why they’re able to understand our feelings so well. - Wafir Salih”
Wafir Salih, Alexandria Times