New film prize will recognise films that look at the health consequences of environmental change

The Global Health Film Festival announces that it will award the first ever Planetary Health Film Prize. The award, which totals £10,000, is open to both short and long films and will be handed out during the festival on 12 November in London. The winning film will include a clear call to action around the health implications of environmental change. According to the announcement, the award will recognise:

Films that focus on challenges to human health, and the health of human civilisation, within human (political, economic and social) systems and natural systems, and clearly identify solutions that can be implemented at a local or global level.

These films can hone in on a number of different topics, including the impacts on human health of “climate change and biodiversity loss,” “food security and malnutrition” and the “spread of vector-borne and zoonotic disease.” The prize money will go toward funding future action around these or other issues. The award is supported by the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health.

Interested filmmakers must send in an application form by 15 October. For more information on the award and how to apply, see the announcement.

The 2016 Global Health Film Festival runs from 11 to 12 November at the Barbican Centre in London. The event, part of the Global Health Film initiative, seeks to “use film as a catalyst for discussion and for change.” You can learn more about the initiative and the festival here.