Nandita Das handing over an award at the film festival. / X/@WHO

Nandita Das, an Indian actor, filmmaker, and social advocate, served as a juror for the World Health Organization's 5th Health for All Film Festival. The panel, which also included actors Sharon Stone, and Alfonso Herrera; filmmaker and producer Apolline Traoré; Olympic swimmer and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Yusra Mardini; multidisciplinary artist Mário Macilau; and film director Paul Jerndal, announced winners on May.26.

In its fifth year, the Health for All Film Festival received nearly 1,000 entries from filmmakers worldwide, addressing issues such as gender equity, war trauma, burnout, climate change, and healthy aging. From these, 61 shortlisted films were evaluated by this panel of distinguished professionals, artists, and activists.

“WHO’s Health for All Film Festival gathers many powerful stories about a variety of health experiences from people from all over the world,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Listening to the stories of people affected by health issues helps us to understand people’s lived experiences and move towards achieving better health for all.”

At the Geneva event on May.26, winning films were announced for seven different categories, while four films received special mentions from the jury.

From the official selection at the WHO Health For All Film Festival, a "Grand Prix" is awarded in each of the three main competition categories: Universal Health Coverage, Health Emergencies, and Better Health and Well-Being, which align with WHO’s Triple Billion Targets. Additionally, four special prizes were given for a student-produced film, a film on physical activity and health, a film on migrants and refugees health, and a very short film.

Mental health was a prominent theme in this year’s winning entries, including a powerful and moving short film from France about the challenges of supporting a relative diagnosed with a severe illness. The film, Mom & Me, and that..., portrays a 14-year-old who bears heavy responsibilities while living alone with her mother, who has cancer.

Das has served twice on the jury of the Cannes Film Festival and has acted in over 40 feature films in 10 different languages.

“I am delighted to be a juror for WHO’s Health For All Film Festival,” she said. “Films can create awareness, challenge prejudices, ask uncomfortable questions and tell stories that need to be told. Health is personally and collectively, our right and responsibility. So to celebrate films that focus on these issues is important. I am glad that l have the opportunity to announce the winners of the 5th edition of this annual event.” 

Das appeared in the films "Fire," "Earth," "Bawandar," "Kannathil Muthamittal," "Azhagi," "Kamli," and "Before The Rains." Her directorial debut, "Firaaq," premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and traveled to over 50 festivals, winning more than 20 awards.

Das was the first Indian inducted into the International Hall of Fame of the International Women's Forum in Washington, DC. She was recognized in 2011 for "her sustained contributions to the arts and to the world as one of the most gripping cinema arts leaders of our time."

Press release: WHO announces winners of the 5th #HealthForAll Film Festival https://t.co/RPFyoeERlD#Film4Health pic.twitter.com/2f4v3KRI71

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 26, 2024