Herpes films on the rise
For the past two months, a selection of Australia’s budding film makers have been busy brainstorming and filming their submissions for the inaugural Live and Love Short Film Competition, which challenged them to make 30-second cinematic films designed to debunk myths and social stigma surrounding Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).
Last Tuesday October 19, on the eve of National Herpes Awareness Day, Jessica Flood and Roshelle Fong from Sydney were announced as the winners of the $10,000 Judges’ Choice award at a red carpet event held at Soho Bar in Kings Cross.
Their winning entry Ah! Real Herpes, which focused on lessening the fear factor about herpes, beat out a field of 117 entrants. International researchers are now tasked with analysing the 117 submissions – their research will be used to design strategies for clinicians, public health advocates and other members of the health care community to help reduce the stigma associated with HSV.
info: To view the short films, visit www.liveandlove.com.au
PIC: Winning director Roshelle Fong, middle, with two of the actors from her film.
