WHO invites filmmakers to participate in our inaugural film festival

Film has the unique ability to make us feel. To make us laugh, cry and think. Through the creation of compelling human-interest stories, filmmakers have the potential to influence health and catalyze change. Films are a powerful way to raise awareness, improve understanding and encourage action. That’s why in May 2020, on the occasion of the 73rd World Health Assembly, WHO will host the first-ever Health for All Film Festival in Geneva.

Whether you are an amateur filmmaker seeking to tell the story of change-makers in your community through the lens of your smartphone or you’re working with a production company to promote dialogue around global health challenges and solutions, WHO wants to see your story.

The Health for All Film Festival aims to put storytelling power in the hands of people and seeks to showcase the role of individuals and communities as champions for health and well-being.

Filmmakers are invited to submit a short video for one of the following categories. The first two categories are open to any health issue as defined in the application rules, the third category is for videos that have special focus on nurses or midwives for the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, which will be celebrated in 2020.

Submit a video for one of the following 3 categories

CATEGORY 1: Video reports (3-8 minutes long)
Video reports showing human-interest stories and testimonies about health from individuals, communities, and/or healthcare workers navigating a local or global health challenge, championing solutions, or driving change.

CATEGORY 2: Animation videos (1-5 minutes long)
Animation videos that includes either testimonials and/or challenges and solutions to achieving health and well-being for all, or to educate about a health issue.

CATEGORY 3: Videos about nurses and midwives (3-8 minutes long)
Any audiovisual narration style will be accepted for this special theme for the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife in 2020.

Eligibility criteria

Only films completed between 1 January 2017 and 30 January 2020 are eligible for this festival. Closing date for entries is 30 January 2020.

Please read the application rules carefully to ensure your video meets the criteria.

Access the application tool here.

Awards

Maximum 15 videos per category will be selected for the Health for All Film Festival. The list of selected videos will be announced in March 2020 and the selections screened in Geneva in May, coinciding with the 73rd World Health Assembly.

An independent jury will nominate a winner in each category, and there will be a special prize for videos made by students. From this jury’s advice the attribution of prizes will be confirmed by WHO’s Director-General.

The Health for All Film Festival awards will take place in May 2020 in Geneva.