More than 1000 film makers from over 110 countries have submitted short films for the 3rd edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health for All Film Festival (HAFF), on themes ranging from the trauma of war to living with COVID-19, through women’s health and so much more.
Seventy short films have been chosen for the shortlist reviewed by a jury of international actors, development leaders and senior WHO experts.
"These compelling short films, combining powerful storytelling with important public health information, portray the huge range of health challenges that people face around the world every day,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “With 3500 submissions received over three years so far, the WHO Health for All Film Festival has demonstrated that short films can make a big difference to raising awareness on these important health issues and stimulate action to promote and protect health."
The 70 shortlisted films are available to view online in six playlists. From this official selection one “GRAND PRIX” is attributed for each of the three main competition categories: Universal Health Coverage, Health emergencies, and Better health and well-being.
Sharon Stone, Golden Globe and EMMY Award-winning Actress from the United States of America, juror of the 3rd HAFF, Producer, and Activist for Health and Humanitarian Causes, said: "I am so delighted to be part of the Health for All Film Festival. This is about creating better awareness on crucial actions needed for reaching healthier living conditions around the world. These documentaries that we viewed were all just wonderful. The stories selected talk to us about the intrinsic value of good health and its access, and they advocate for universal health coverage. Universal health coverage is a very important right, it’s a human right for everyone around the world."
Four special prizes are also attributed for a Student-Produced Film, a film on Rehabilitation, a Health Innovation Film and a Very Short Film.
List of films receiving awards:
- UHC “GRAND PRIX”:Pre-eclampsia: Predict Earlier, Prevent Earlier” - Indonesia / Maternal health / Documentary – Duration 7’53’’ / Submitted and directed by Indonesian Prenatal Institute
- Health Emergencies “GRAND PRIX”: Intensive” - United Kingdom / COVID-19 severe case / Animation – Duration 7’26’’ / Submitted and directed by Oliver John Pratt (United Kingdom)
- Better Health and Well-being “GRAND PRIX”: “Euphoric” - India / Female Genital Mutilation / Artistic creation based on testimony – Duration 4’35’’ / Submitted and directed by Nirmala Choudhary and Roopali Ramesh Kumar (India)
- SPECIAL PRIZE Rehabilitation Film: Sim-Patia” – Spain - Italy / Brain injury / Animation - Duration 2’42’’ / Submitted and directed by Carlos Gómez-Mira Sagrado and Rossana Giacomelli
- SPECIAL PRIZE Health Innovation film: For Every Girl, a Forest” - India / Gender equity / Documentary – Duration 6’24’’ / Submitted and directed by Jose Corbella (Argentina)
- STUDENT FILM PRIZE: “Improving Lives in Three Dimensions: 3D-Printed Prostheses” - Sierra Leone / Disability / Documentary – Duration 5’03’’, Submitted and directed by Merel van der Stelt (The Netherlands)
- SPECIAL PRIZE Very Short Film: “Glamming my Wounds” - Kenya / Gender Based Violence / Fiction – Duration 1’55’’, Submitted and directed by Terry Adhiambo Ombaka (Kenya)
