ITM film wins "Hand in Hand" award at WorldMediaFestival

A documentary by the Institute of Tropical Medicine has won the Special Award “Hand in Hand” during the WorldMediaFestival, a global competition for modern media in Hamburg, Germany. The award goes to a media production highlighting actions by a state, government, corporation, organisation or individual dedicated to improving the lives of individuals or society as a whole. More than 700 productions participated in this year’s edition of the festival.

“Switching the Poles” tells the story of ITM’s capacity building programme in developing countries. The programme is financed by the Belgian Directorate-General for Development (DGD). Over the past 15 years, it has helped dozens of Southern partner organisations with taking charge of medical and scientific expertise in their countries. 

“Switching the Poles” presents selected milestones from the programme, with stories from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, India and Peru. The film shows, among other things, progress made in the fight against tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and neglected tropical diseases. It also highlights the issue of antibiotic resistance and efforts to guarantee access to quality health care for all.

ITM increasingly focuses on advancing knowledge in tropical medicine and public health in a 21st century in which North and South share the world as equal partners. The institute can only do so together with strong Southern partners.

“Switching the Poles” was produced by Bozo Film Company and directed by Peter Bostoen. The documentary also received silver in Hamburg in the category health. In October 2014, the documentary also received an award at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards.

Links

• Hall of Fame on worldmediafestival.org
• Watch the full movie on switchingthepoles.itg.be