The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced seven short films as winners of the 3rd edition of the Health for All Film Festival (HAFF) at an Awards ceremony. There were also six special mentions from the jury that highlighted strong health stories illustrating global health issues.
More than 1000 film makers from over 110 countries submitted short films for the 3rd edition of the 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. WHO’s Director-General approved the advice from this jury and announced the winners today, May 13, 2022.
“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”, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said.
“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”.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Sharon Stone happy to be part of the Health for All Film Festival
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”.
Sharon Stone
Four special prizes were also credited for a Student-Produced Film, a film on Rehabilitation, a Health Innovation Film and a Very Short Film.
Emilia Clarke, Actress and Health Activist from the United Kingdom, and juror of the 3rd HAFF, said: “It has been an honour and a pleasure for me to join the jury of the Health for All Film Festival by the World Health Organization.
Emilia Clarke was especially happy for watching this year’s special category about Rehabilitation which is something “I care about and believe in deeply, as my Foundation is dedicated to this issue for people affected by brain injuries. Where rehabilitation means coming back to rediscover you are still the Same You”.
Emilia Clarke further indicated that she was not only happy about this year’s festival because it is “a cause close to my heart but it also is one of the most beautiful short films I’ve seen in a long time”. As such, she invites and encourages everyone to watch online at the festival’s website. “It was such a close call as all the films we watched, each had their own magic and importance!”, she added.
For more details on the official selection, the jury composition and further information, kindly visit https://www.who.int/film-festival.
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