The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3353.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - 5:10 PM

Abstract #66693

Scenarios from Africa: Community mobilization and the production of high-quality short fiction films about HIV/AIDS

S. Kate Winskell, PhD, Center for Health, Culture and Society, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Room 708, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404 727 8141, swinske@sph.emory.edu and Daniel D. Enger, MA, Global Dialogues, 06 B.P. 9342, Ouagadougou 06, Burkina Faso.

A collection of short fiction films by top African directors is generating dialogue and reflection about Africa’s most pressing health concern. The films – which are both funny and touching – are based on ideas thought up by young Africans. Scenarios from Africa, inspired by a French model, encourages young people to think and talk about the epidemic in terms of situations, behaviors, and narratives with which they can identify emotionally.

Coalitions of local organizations work together to implement contests inviting young people to come up with ideas for the films. 40,000 under-25s from 25 African countries have participated in the three contests held to date. 40% of participants are female, and around half of all participants worked in mixed-gender teams. The 14,000 contest entries received to date provide a research base for understanding young people’s perceptions of HIV and for assessing their ability to successfully translate the facts they have learned about AIDS into the potentially real-life situations described in their film narratives.

The winning ideas in the contests are selected by juries composed of local HIV/AIDS specialists, people living with HIV/AIDS, young people, and communication specialists, including the internationally acclaimed film makers who go on to transform the winners’ ideas into short films. Thirteen short films have been produced to date (examples will be shown). They are very engaging and elicit a strong emotional response. They are available in a range of languages and are used as a communication resource at community level. They have been widely broadcast in Africa.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Communication, HIV/AIDS

Related Web page: www.globaldialogues.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Scenarios from Africa is a partnership project managed and coordinated by The Global Dialogues Trust (UK charity number 1071484). The Scenarios from Africa films are distributed on a totally non-commercial basis.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: The presenter is a co-founder of and consultant to The Global Dialogues Trust

HIV and Social Attitudes

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA