Expatica news

Geneva organises first international cancer film fest

21 July 2008

GENEVA – The first international cancer film festival, which aims to honour those whose lives have been impacted by cancer, will take place on 28 – 30 August during the World Cancer Congress in Geneva.

Organised by the International Union against Cancer, Reel Lives, aims to raise awareness of cancer and challenge stigma that cancer patients face.

The programme for the inaugural film festival includes a line-up of 15 public service announcements, 10 personal stories, four reportage films and four educational films.

The 33 carefully selected films come from 16 countries and include 2007 Oscar winner Freeheld – a movie about how a dying New Jersey police officer fights to transfer her pension to her domestic partner.

“The launch of this film festival is significant, especially to anyone who has been touched by cancer,” says director of Freeheld, Cynthia Wade.

The finalists were chosen from over 250 entries from 40 countries by an international programming committee.

A grand price of USD 10,000 will be awarded to the best film on the last day of the flim screening.

[Expatica 2008]