The UNTOLD: Stories in a time of HIV and AIDS films have been receiving widespread coverage across the region. UNTOLD is part of the OneLove campaign.
Countries that took part in the UNTOLD initiative are Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The 9 films were produced (one for each country participating in the regional programme) locally by local writers, producers and directors. The films form part of the partnership between organisations in the regional programme.
While local accolades have been garnered, the films are also earning a reputation in the global arena.
The South African film, Secrets and Lies as well as the Mozambique film, Tempestade have been invited to be screened at the 39th International Festival in Rotterdam from 27 January 2010.
Three of the UNTOLD films, Le Tempestade (Mozambique), Secrets and Lies (South Africa) and Mapule’s Choice (Lesotho) were showcased at the Zanzibar Film Festival in June 2009.
Rebel Rhymes (Botswana), Batjele (Swaziland) and Chipo’s promise (Zimbabwe) was invited to be screened at the African Diaspora Film Festival in New York earlier this year.
At the Amakula Kampala International Film Festival in Uganda, Tempestade (Mozambique) won the Global Impala Short Eastern Africa film award which was chosen by an international jury.
Tempestade was again shown at the Africa in Motion Film Festival in the United Kingdom. It was also shortlisted for the Africa in Motion short film competition for which 60 Entries were received from 22 African countries. It was one of seven films that were shortlisted.
Excerpts from five films in the UNTOLD series were adapted into a 12-minute DVD resource, called Girls At Risk, A Discussion Tool. The resource also includes text that can guide groups for further debate, discussion and action.
Watch “Girls At Risk”
The UNTOLD series was developed in partnership with UNAIDS.
