The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the winners of its 5th annual Health for All Film Festival. The awards were presented at a special event in Geneva on the eve of the 77th World Health Assembly.
The Film Festival received nearly 1,000 submissions from filmmakers around the world covering a wide range of health topics like gender equity, war trauma, burnout, climate change, and healthy aging. A distinguished jury panel of artists, advocates, Olympians, and UN officials selected 61 films for the official shortlist.
“Listening to the stories of people affected by health issues helps us understand their lived experiences and move towards achieving better health for all,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
One “Grand Prix” winner was awarded for each of the three main categories: Universal Health Coverage, Health Emergencies, and Better Health and Well-being. The Grand Prix winners were:
1.Universal Health Coverage: “The Visionary Women of Indonesia” (Indonesia)
2.Health Emergencies: “Journey Beyond the Rubble” (Türkiye)
3.Better Health and Well-being: “Color” (Spain)
Four special prize winners were also named for films covering physical activity, migrants/refugees, a student production, and very short films.
Mental health was a prominent theme across many of this year’s winning entries, including a French film about a teenager caring for her cancer-stricken mother, and a Turkish film documenting a Syrian refugee mother’s rehabilitation after being trapped in earthquake rubble.
The jury praised the powerful storytelling in bringing awareness to various health challenges faced around the world.
