Wake Network Presents · A Film by Scott Paul Wright

Electronic Press Kit

An intimate documentary about adults over 55 who turned to psilocybin-assisted therapy to address depression, anxiety, and grief — and discovered whether it is ever too late to begin again.

Hope, healing, & the courage to begin again.

↓ Download Press Kit PDF Press Contact Premiere Accreditation View Full EPK

Official Trailer

Watch the trailer.

High-resolution trailer file available for broadcast use — [email protected]

01 — Film at a glance

The film, at a glance.

An intimate documentary following adults over 55 as they turn to psychedelic-assisted therapy to meet depression, anxiety, grief, and the unfinished work of a lifetime — and to discover whether it is ever too late to begin again.

  • Mental health and aging in the second half of life
  • Grief, loss, and long-unresolved inner pain
  • Psychedelic-assisted therapy as one path among many
  • Reflection, integration, and the possibility of beginning again
Title
The Next Chapter
Subtitle
Psychedelics, Healing, and the Second Half of Life
Format
Feature Documentary
Director
Scott Paul Wright
Production
Wise Rabbit Films
Presented by
Wake Network
Year
2026
Language
English
Premiere
The Royal Cinema, Toronto
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tickets
$20 · Eventbrite

02 — Synopsis

A story about healing later in life.

Short Synopsis Under 50 words — for social, captions, briefs

When conventional treatments fail the mental health needs of older adults, some are turning to an unexpected path. The Next Chapter follows people over 55 as they explore psilocybin-assisted therapy — searching not for a cure, but for the possibility of healing and the courage to begin again.

Medium Synopsis ~100 words — for program notes, previews, listings

For a generation whose mental health needs have been underserved by existing treatments, The Next Chapter opens a window into a different path. Following a group of people in the second half of life — carrying depression, anxiety, grief, and long-unresolved pain — the film accompanies them as they step into the world of psilocybin-assisted therapy. What they are searching for is not a treatment outcome. It is something more fundamental: the possibility of healing. Through intimate, story-driven portraits, the film offers an honest look at what it means to face the later chapters of life with vulnerability and courage — and to discover it may not be too late to begin again.

Long Synopsis Full version — for reviews, features, editorial use

The Next Chapter follows a group of people navigating the second half of life who refused to accept that their best days were behind them. Carrying the weight of depression, anxiety, grief, and long-unresolved pain, they stepped into the world of psilocybin-assisted therapy in search of something they had nearly stopped believing in: the possibility of healing.

This is not a film about a treatment. It is a deeply personal story about courage, vulnerability, and what it means to begin again.

Through intimate, story-driven portraits, The Next Chapter opens a window into vulnerability, courage, reflection, and the quiet hope of beginning again — and offers an honest look at a generation whose mental-health needs have not been well served by existing treatments.

03 — Director's Statement

Why I made this film.

"This is not a film about a drug. It is a film about people who refused to give up on themselves, people who carried pain for years and finally found a way through it." — Scott Paul Wright, Director
"I came to this subject through my own experience with psilocybin at 68, the age of many of the people in this film. What I witnessed changed me, and I knew I had to tell these stories." — Scott Paul Wright, Director
"Bringing The Next Chapter to Toronto for its world premiere feels deeply meaningful because this is a city ready for a serious, thoughtful conversation about psychedelic-assisted therapy — and about what it means to face the second half of life with honesty and courage." — Scott Paul Wright, Director

About the director.

Scott Paul Wright is a filmmaker, writer, and producer whose previous credits include Three Days of Glory and John Waite: The Hard Way. Through Wise Rabbit Films, his work has consistently been drawn to the human story behind larger subjects.

With The Next Chapter, Wright turns to a subject that is also personal. He came to psilocybin through his own experience at 68 — an age that reflects the life stage of many of the people featured in the film.

He will be in Toronto for the world premiere and the post-screening panel discussion, and is available for interviews before and after the event.

Interview requests: [email protected]

04 — World Premiere

World Premiere
June 18, 2026 · Toronto

The Toronto premiere of The Next Chapter brings together a theatrical screening with a live panel discussion and audience Q&A with director Scott Paul Wright and invited voices from the worlds of mental health, healing, and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Net proceeds from the evening are intended to support a charitable organization aligned with mental health, healing, and community wellbeing.

Get Tickets — $20

Date Thursday, June 18, 2026
Venue The Royal Cinema
Address 608 College St, Toronto ON
Doors 6:00 PM
Screening 7:00 PM
Panel & Q&A 9:00 PM
Tickets $20 · Eventbrite

In attendance: Scott Paul Wright (Director), Dr. Joshua Rosenblat, Dr. Blake Pearson. Available for pre- and post-screening interviews on request.

05 — Post-Screening Panel

The panel.

Following the screening, director Scott Paul Wright will join a live panel discussion and audience Q&A featuring clinical researchers and voices from the evolving Canadian psilocybin field.

Dr. Joshua Rosenblat MD, MSc, FRCPC

Staff Psychiatrist & Clinician-Researcher · Krembil Brain Institute, UHN · Assistant Professor, University of Toronto · Medical Director, Canadian Rapid Treatment Centre of Excellence

Among the most cited psychiatric researchers in Canada, with over one hundred peer-reviewed publications. Currently leads seven federally funded psilocybin clinical trials at UHN. Appeared on CBC's White Coat, Black Art and The Dose.

Dr. Blake Pearson MD

Physician & Psychedelic Medicine Specialist

Son of Pete "Pistol Pete" Pearson, whose story received national CBC coverage in spring 2026 across White Coat, Black Art, The Dose, CBC News, and a CBC Ideas pickup. Dr. Pearson bridges lived family experience with clinical expertise.

Scott Paul Wright

Director & Producer — The Next Chapter

Will moderate and participate in the panel discussion and audience Q&A following the screening.

06 — Credits

Production credits.

Director & Producer
Scott Paul Wright
Production Company
Wise Rabbit Films
Presented by
Wake Network
Previous Credits
Three Days of Glory
John Waite: The Hard Way
World Premiere
The Royal Cinema, Toronto
June 18, 2026
Format
Feature Documentary
English · 2026

Full credit list available in the press kit PDF or on request at [email protected]

07 — Press Resources & Contact

For the press.

Official Trailer

Available on YouTube for press use and embedding. High-res file available on request.

Watch on YouTube →

Pre-Release Screening

Press and allies can request access to a free online pre-release screening.

Request Access →

Press Kit PDF

Full electronic press kit with stills, specs, synopsis, and bios.

Download PDF →

Stills & Key Art

High-resolution production stills, director headshot, and poster available on request.

Request via Email →

Social Media Assets

Official event graphics ready to post — landscape banner, Instagram portrait (1080×1350), and square (1080×1080).

The Next Chapter — World Premiere event banner showing film, date, and venue

Press office.

Michael Crane Film Marketing & Press
[email protected]
Media inquiries  ·  Interview requests  ·  Screener access  ·  Press passes

Follow the film

Premiere Accreditation — June 18, 2026

Press passes and red carpet access for the world premiere screening are available on request. To request accreditation, email the press office with the following:

  • Full name and publication / outlet
  • Role: Reviewer, Photographer, or Broadcast Journalist
  • Link to recent relevant coverage
  • Access requested: Screening seat, Red carpet, or Both

Email: [email protected]
Requests received before June 14 will be prioritized. All requests reviewed within 24 hours of receipt.

08 — Full Electronic Press Kit

Read the full EPK.

The Next Chapter Film · Electronic Press Kit · 2026 · 9 pages ↓ Download PDF