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Films themed on burnout, climate, aging win top honors at WHO fest
The World Health Organization’s fifth annual Health for All Film Festival concluded this week
[Source photo: Chetan Jha/Press Insider]
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) 5th annual Health for All Film Festival concluded this week, featuring films that tackled health issues like gender equity, war trauma, burnout, climate change, and healthy aging.
The biggest honor of the night, the Grand Prix, was awarded in three categories: universal health coverage, health emergencies, and better health and well-being, aligning with the WHO’s mission to achieve better health outcomes for billions.
The Visionary Women of Indonesia won the Grand Prix for universal health coverage, Turkish film Journey Beyond the Rubble for health emergencies, and Spanish film Color for better health and well-being.
Nearly 1,000 entries poured in from filmmakers tackling global health issues, and a panel, including Indian actress and director Nandita Das, actors Sharon Stone and Alfonso Herrera, filmmaker Apolline Traoré, athlete Yusra Mardini, and artist Mário Macilau, judged the 61 shortlisted films.
Four other special prizes– for a student-produced film; a film on physical activity and health; a film on migrants and refugees health; and a very short film lasting three minutes–were also rewarded.
“WHO’s Health for All Film Festival gathers many powerful stories about a variety of health experiences from people from all over the world,” said WHO director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“Listening to the stories of people affected by health issues helps us to understand people’s lived experiences and move towards achieving better health for all.”
Nandita Das said that cinema as a medium can raise awareness, challenge biases, and tell crucial stories.
Nandita Das said that cinema as a medium can raise awareness, challenge biases, and tell crucial stories.
Her 2022 directorial venture, Zwigato, explored the life of a working class man grappling with the gig economy and struggling to make ends meet for him and his family as a food delivery rider.
“Health is a collective right and responsibility, and celebrating films on these issues is vital,” Das said.
Mental health was a prominent theme, with the French film Maman & Moi, et ça.. depicting a young girl’s struggle supporting her mother battling cancer.
Mental health was a prominent theme, with the French film Maman & Moi, et ça.. depicting a young girl’s struggle supporting her mother battling cancer.
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