More than 1000 film makers from over 110 countries have 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.
“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,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “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.”
The 70 shortlisted films are available to view online in six . From this official selection one “GRAND PRIX” is attributed for each of the three main competition categories: Universal Health Coverage, Health emergencies, and Better health and well-being.
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.”
Four special prizes are also attributed 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, especially 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 SameYou.
I hope that you’ll be moved as I was by the winning short film of this special prize, not only is it for 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 well as many others that I invite and encourage you to watch online at this festival’s website, it was such a close call as all the films we watched each had their own magic and importance!”
List of films receiving awards
UHC “GRAND PRIX”:
“Pre-eclampsia: Predict Earlier, Prevent Earlier” – Indonesia / Maternal health / Documentary – Duration 7’53” / Submitted and directed by Indonesian Prenatal Institute
Health Emergencies “GRAND PRIX”:
“Intensive” – United Kingdom / COVID-19 severe case / Animation – Duration 7’26” / Submitted and directed by Oliver John Pratt (United Kingdom)
Better Health and Well-being “GRAND PRIX”:
“Euphoric” – India / Female Genital Mutilation / Artistic creation based on testimony – Duration 4’35” / Submitted and directed by Nirmala Choudhary and Roopali Ramesh Kumar (India)
SPECIAL PRIZE Rehabilitation Film:
“Sim-Patia” – Spain – Italy / Brain injury / Animation – Duration 2’42” / Submitted and directed by Carlos Gómez-Mira Sagrado and Rossana Giacomelli
SPECIAL PRIZE Health Innovation film:
“For Every Girl, a Forest” – India / Gender equity / Documentary – Duration 6’24” / Submitted and directed by Jose Corbella (Argentina)
STUDENT FILM PRIZE:
“Improving Lives in Three Dimensions: 3D-Printed Prostheses” – Sierra Leone / Disability / Documentary – Duration 5’03”
Submitted and directed by Merel van der Stelt (The Netherlands)
SPECIAL PRIZE Very Short Film:
“Glamming my Wounds” – Kenya / Gender Based Violence / Fiction – Duration 1’55”
Submitted and directed by Terry Adhiambo Ombaka (Kenya)
List of films receiving a special mention from the jury
UHC Special Mention:
“The 5% : A Family’s Perspective on Complex Clubfoot” – Brazil / Disability / Documentary – Duration 5’40” / Submitted by MiracleFeet and directed by Rachel Vianna (Brazil)
Health Emergencies Special Mention: “I was just a child” – Philippines / Natural disasters / Animation – Duration 5’06” / Submitted and directed by Breech Asher Harani (Philippines)
Better Health and Well-being Special Mention:
“Autism in China: The Challenges Parents Face Raising Children of the Stars” – China / Documentary – Duration 8’28” / Submitted and directed by Andersen Weicong Xia (China)
Rehabilitation Special Mention:
“Move, Dance, Feel” – United Kingdom / Cancer and artistic dancing to support treatment / Documentary – Duration 4’58” / Submitted and directed by Emily Jenkins and Move Dance Feel (United Kingdom)
Health Innovation Special Mention: “Malakit” – Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname / Malaria – Access to diagnosis and care in remote areas / Documentary – Duration 8’54” / Submitted and directed by Maylis Douine (French Guiana)
Very Short Films Special Mention:
“Meet the Willbuts” – Saint Kitts and Nevis / NCDs prevention / Animation – Duration 1’23” / Submitted and directed by Oyehmi Begho and Lake Health and Wellbeing (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
For more details on the official selection, the jury composition and further information, please visit
