WHO Award For Indian Film ‘When Climate Change Turns Violent’

An Indian documentary film titled "When Climate Change Turns Violent" has won a special prize in the 'Health for All' category at the 4th Annual Health for All Film Festival (HAFF) held at the World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters in Geneva recently.

The documentary has been directed by Vandita Saharia of Rajasthan. She was the only Indian among the winners. The 4.32-minute documentary focuses on the relationship between domestic violence, climate change and human trafficking.

Talking to media persons after announcement of the winners, director Vandita said, "It is a proud moment for me to be the only Indian among the winners. I am confident that I shall continue to bring laurels to the country."

"When natural resources deplete, they (women) walk longer to fetch water and fuel wood. When food becomes scarce, child marriage increases. After the pandemic, cases of child marriage have gone up. The girl's family receives cattle and wealth for these marriages. It is simply a survival tactic," she explained.

The festival, attended in person and online by actors, producers and public figures, saw winning films announced for seven different categories, while four films received special mention by the jury.

The films were judged by a panel of distinguished professionals, artistes and activists, including noted actors like Sharon Stone and Alfonso Herrera, choreographer Sherrie Silver, climate activist Sophia Kianni and media personality Adelle Onyango. The distinguished panel was joined by senior United Nations officials and WHO staff from all over the world.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the 'Health for All Film Festival' adds a human face to WHO's scientific work. "Listening to the voices of people affected by health issues is a powerful way to raise awareness and improve our understanding of people's experiences. It can help us advance towards health for all," Ghebreyesus said.

Another documentary film titled "One in 36 Million: Story of Childhood Lead Poisoning in Bangladesh", directed by Arifur Rahma and Mitali Das and produced by Pure Earth Bangladesh, won the award under the 'Better Health and Well-being' category.

This year, more than 780 entries were received by the jury. Of them, 93 films were shortlisted which covered issues ranging from anxiety and depression through to the effects of climate change on health, as well as the health challenges of people with disabilities.

WHO initiated HAFF in 2019 to make audio-visual language a key component of the organisation's "communicating for health impact" approach. Well-produced and well-targeted short films can improve the health status of some groups by encouraging behaviour change or providing knowledge, motivation, or skills needed for people to take action.