nandita-das-celebrates-health-films-at-who-fest

Indian actor-filmmaker Nandita Das emphasised the importance of celebrating films that address health issues such as war trauma, burnout, climate change, mental health, and healthy ageing.

 

Nandita, part of the jury for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 5th Health for All Film Festival, announced the winners ahead of the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva. The winners were selected from over 900 filmmakers from 110 countries who submitted short films on various health-related themes.

 

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the significance of the festival, stating that listening to stories of those affected by health issues helps understand lived experiences and promotes better health for all.

 

Nandita, who has served on the jury of the Cannes Film Festival and acted in over 40 feature films in 10 languages, expressed her delight in being a juror for the WHO festival. She noted that films have the power to create awareness, challenge prejudices, and tell important stories about health.

 

The theme of mental health was prominent among this year’s winning entries, including a short film from France about the challenges of supporting a relative diagnosed with a severe disease.

 

This film depicted a 14-year-old coping with heavy responsibilities while living with her mother, who has cancer. Another winning film from Turkiye captured the survival and recovery of a young Syrian refugee mother who was trapped under building rubble for five days following the February 2023 earthquakes.

 

The WHO’s Health for All Film 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, four special prizes were given for a student-produced film, a film on physical activity and health, a film on migrants and refugees’ health, and a very short film.

 

The international jury included notable figures such as actors Sharon Stone and Alfonso Herrera, filmmaker Apolline Traore, Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini, multidisciplinary artist Mario Macilau, and film director Paul Jerndal.

 

Meanwhile, the WHO launched a new ‘Investment Round’ aiming to raise USD 7 billion over four years to support countries in addressing health challenges.

 

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that commitment increases would contribute USD 4 billion to the agency’s budget of USD 11.1 billion from 2025 to 2028. He emphasised the need for predictable, flexible, and sustainable funding to support WHO’s mission.

 

The 77th World Health Assembly, held in Geneva from May 27 to June 1, focused on the theme “All for Health, Health for All.” The Investment Round was a result of recommendations by the WHO Working Group on Sustainable Financing and was approved at the 154th Meeting of the WHO Executive Board in January 2024. It aims to secure funding for WHO’s strategy, the 14th General Programme of Work.

 

During the event, Brazil announced its plan to host high-level events, including at the Leaders’ Summit in November, to support the Investment Round. Qatar’s Minister of Health, Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, announced a contribution of USD 4 million in flexible funds and an intention to contribute further. France, Germany, and Norway will serve as co-hosts for the Investment Round.

 

The World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of WHO, is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.

 

During the Assembly, WHO launched a new global health strategy developed in partnership with 194 Member States and partners to set a course for achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals.