Indian actor-filmmaker Nandita Das has underscored the importance of recognizing films that address various health-related issues, including mental health, climate change, and healthy aging. Das, who is part of the jury for the World Health Organization’s 5th Health for All Film Festival, revealed the winners ahead of the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
The festival showcased films from over 900 filmmakers across 110 countries, covering themes such as climate change, refugees, tobacco use, and gender-based violence. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the significance of listening to the stories of those affected by health issues to better understand their experiences.
Mental health was a prominent theme among this year’s winning entries, with one film from France depicting the challenges faced by a teenager caring for her mother with cancer. Another film from Turkey documented the survival and recovery of a young Syrian refugee mother trapped under rubble after an earthquake.
The festival awarded a “Grand Prix” in each of its three main competition categories: Universal Health Coverage, Health Emergencies, and Better Health and Well-Being. Additionally, special prizes were given for student-produced films, films on physical activity and health, migrants and refugees’ health, and very short films.
The international jury, which included Nandita Das and actor Sharon Stone, selected the winners. Meanwhile, the WHO launched an ‘Investment Round’ aiming to raise $7 billion to address global health challenges. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the investment would support countries in responding to various overlapping challenges, including conflict, climate change, and disease outbreaks.
The 77th World Health Assembly, themed “All for Health, Health for All,” is underway in Geneva from May 27 to June 1. The Investment Round, approved at the 154th Meeting of the WHO Executive Board, aims to secure funding for WHO’s 14th General Programme of Work. Several countries, including Brazil, Qatar, France, Germany, and Norway, have announced contributions to the Investment Round to support global health initiatives.
The Assembly will also see the launch of a new global health strategy developed in partnership with 194 Member States and partners, aimed at achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals.