FILM@Vail Comedy Festival Q&A with “Anxiety Club” director Wendy Lobel

Curated questions from audience for director Wendy Lobel following the Vail, CO premier of “Anxiety Club” (2025)

DIRECTOR’S INSPIRATION

I’ve struggled with anxiety for years and am familiar with the uncomfortable symptoms that can accompany an anxiety disorder, as well as the available treatments and tools. But the seed for ANXIETY CLUB was planted in 2013 when I produced Worried Sick about teens with anxiety for Nickelodeon’s Nick News with Linda Ellerbee. I witnessed how the subjects’ worries and fears were not only mentally torturous but also tangibly holding them back in life. I also saw how the proper treatment helped in profound ways.

Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder, surpassing depression, yet the majority of those suffering don’t get treated because of the stigma that persists. Left untreated, anxiety can manifest with severe consequences.  I realized that there are countless anxious people out there of all ages who live compromised by their disorder because they don’t know any other way.

ANXIETY CLUB was born out of my desire to help others who are suffering from an anxiety disorder. As someone familiar with anxiety, I felt I was in a unique position to tackle this subject. My deepest hope is that this movie will help and entertain viewers by allowing them to face their struggles with humor, compassion, and the realization that healing is possible.