A documentary by Tim Elwin

What if everything we’ve been told about happiness is wrong?

The Definition of Happiness is a raw, global exploration into the meaning of happiness—directed by Australian filmmaker Tim Elwin. After a life-altering motorcycle accident left him permanently disabled, Tim’s connection to the ocean became a lifeline in his rehabilitation. This intensely personal journey sparked a deeper question: Why are so many people still unhappy, even when they have everything they thought they needed?

Filmed across Australia, the United States, New Zealand, and Fiji, the documentary dives into the universal pursuit of happiness—and the damage that pursuit can cause. Through powerful interviews, moments of stillness, and confronting truths, the film reveals how chasing happiness as an external goal is leading millions toward burnout, disconnection, and depression.

This isn’t another feel-good wellness doc. It’s an unflinching look at the systems, expectations, and inner battles that shape how we define a “good life.” Along the way, The Definition of Happiness introduces us to surfers, psychologists, monks, artists, and ordinary people who’ve found their own answers—sometimes in the most unexpected places.

Interviewees include:

• Dr. Wallace J. Nichols – Author of Blue Mind

• Prof. Felice Jacka – Professor of Nutritional Psychiatry & Director, Food & Mood Centre, Deakin University

• Prof. Adrienne O’Neil – Professor of Nutritional Psychiatry & Director, Food & Mood Centre, Deakin University

• Tom Nash – International Speaker, Storyteller, Vagabond

• Prof. Sonja Lyubomirsky – Distinguished Professor, University of California

• Prof. Gabriele Oettingen – Professor of Psychology, New York University, WOOP

• Dr. Tim Sharp – Positive Psychology Expert (aka Dr. Happy), The Happiness Institute

• Bryce Hastings – MPhil, Head of Research at Les Mills

• Dr. Samuel Mehr – Psychology of Music, Harvard & Auckland Universities

• Don Flanagan – 93 year old Champion!

Why This Film Matters

In a world saturated with self-help slogans and social media highlight reels, this documentary cuts through the noise. It doesn’t offer quick fixes—it invites deeper reflection.

Director: Tim Elwin
Runtime: 96 minutes
Filming Locations: Sydney, Geelong, Los Angeles, Davenport, Chicago, New York, Fiji Islands
Genre: Feature Documentary, Social Impact