Join Us For the Show!
APHA's Global Public Health Film Festival aims to be a catalyst in the movement toward a healthier nation by sparking the conversation about health in creative ways. The film festival features public health films of all varieties and include this year's theme, "Creating the Healthiest Nation: Health Equity Now" and other general public health areas that explore and highlight public health locally, nationally and globally.
This year's film festival will include a feature film series and general films like animations, documentaries, narratives, shorts, promos and PSA and related films that demonstrate, educate, inspire, and encourage a change for a healthier future. View the full general film festival schedule in the mobile app or Online Program.
The Gary Black Memorial Award for Excellence
New this year, two awards will be presented to those who have excelled in creating a tool for a public health call to action and/or encouraged advocacy through storytelling and video production. One award will go to a nonprofit organization and another to a young filmmaker 30 and under. Their films will embody the ongoing legacy of Gary Black, APHA’s Global Public Health Film Festival co-founder. He believed that anyone could create a film and that the need for change and world betterment could be conveyed through art. Award winners will be announced at the end of September.
Feature Film Schedule
Sunday, Nov. 11, 2 - 4:30 p.m. — Film Festival Kick-off Event
The Bleeding Edge: A Groundbreaking Investigation into the Medical Device Industry
The film documents an investigation into the medical device industry and reveals an emerging health care and public health crisis and shines a light on the dark side of the relentless pace of innovation. Following the film, Director Kirby Dick, along with experts featured in the film will participate in a facilitated discussion and audience Q&A.
Monday, Nov. 12, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Advancing Health Equity and Social Justice: Voices from the Field
This session features the stories of community members and leaders on neighborhood and community-specific issues. It also explores the influence of culture, social discrimination, poverty, and other key determinants of health on people’s lives and work via a series of moving interviews and stories.
Monday, Nov. 12, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Facts Matter: Truth, Media and Public Health
Our world is awash in a super-saturated, fast-moving vast array of information from endless amounts of faces and places. This session will boost your ability to determine what is real news, what is questionable and what needs to be deleted.
Monday, Nov. 12, 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Community-Driven Solutions for Health Equity: A Conversation with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Community empowerment and action is key to advancing health equity. This session features films about three 2017 Culture of Health Prize Winners, and showcases stories of commitment, resilience, and teamwork across the following communities: Richmond, Virginia; Seneca Nations of Indians, New York; and San Pablo, California. This is an unique opportunity to hear from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on this topic!
Tuesday, Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Reel to Real, Public Health Strategies for Combatting the Opioid Epidemic
This film session explains the underlying causes of the opioid epidemic in the United States and discusses how film can be used to break down stereotypes and barriers to addressing the opioid epidemic.
Connect with Us
For questions and concerns or to share exciting films and media events, please email Film Festival Chair Linda Bergonzi-King.
Film Festival Committee: Linda Bergonzi-King (Chair), Pamela Luna (Feature Sessions Co-Chair and Lead), Renata Schiavo (Feature Sessions Co-chair), Nora Lindner, Javier de la Maza Guzman and Suraj Arshanapally. The APHA Global Public Health Film Festival is organized by APHA and members of the Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section's Health Communications Working Group.