For the past two years, we have hosted the Australian Global Health Film Festival in partnership with Global Health Film, supported by various members and partners, including the French Embassy of Australia. The festival serves as an important platform for raising awareness and fostering discussions on critical social and health topics through compelling storytelling and expert-led panels.
In 2024, we focus our attention on critical issues including Pandemic Preparedness, First Nations Knowledge, Gender and Reproductive Rights and Healthcare in Conflict Zones. The world is grappling with a polycrisis, where interconnected global challenges create a complex multifaceted crisis requiring urgent and integrated solutions. This years Festival, we aim to showcase a range of films, each with strong global health messaging that conveys the importance of strengthening our global health ecosystem and calling for more cross-sectoral collaboration.
This year’s themes explore:
- LGBTQI+ Youth Empowerment
- First Nations Traditional Law
- Reproductive Rights
- The Human Cost of Conflict
- Ecological Protection and Pandemic Preparedness
You bring your passion for global health, and we’ll provide the popcorn and choctop!
Melbourne: Tuesday, 22 October
Sydney: Friday, 25 October
Sydney: Monday, 28 October
Canberra: Monday, 4 November
Melbourne: Friday, 8 November
Summer Qamp
Summer Qamp is a heartwarming documentary that offers a glimpse into the lives of queer and trans kids at Camp fYrefly in rural Alberta. Directed by Jen Markowitz, the film showcases the joy and freedom these kids experience as they spend a few days just being themselves—without explanations or fear. Through laughter, friendship, and self-discovery, Summer Qamp beautifully captures the power of community and the resilience of LGBTQIA2S+ youth.
- Screening Date: 22 October 2024
- Location: Kino Cinema, Melbourne
Panel Discussion:
- Dr. Danielle Stefanski | Infectious Diseases Specialist and General Physician in Melbourne, VIC
- Dorjjantsan (Jack) Ganbaatar (he/him) | PhD candidate, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne
- Ravi Teja (he/him) | Strategic Communications Coordinator, VicHealth
Join us at 5:30 PM for a complimentary drink, with the film screening beginning promptly at 6:00 PM.
For Sama
For Sama is a powerful and intimate documentary that takes you inside the heart of the Syrian Civil War through the eyes of Waad Al-Kateab, a journalist and mother. As she documents her life in war-torn Aleppo, Waad balances her roles as a rebel, a wife to one of the last doctors in the city, and a mother raising her young daughter, Sama. Raw, gripping, and deeply personal, For Sama offers an unflinching look at the horrors of war and the strength of the human spirit. Don’t miss this critically acclaimed story of resilience and love amidst unimaginable chaos.
- Screening Date: 25 October 2024
- Location: Palace Central, Sydney
Panel Discussion:
- Eiad Abdulkader | Operations Officer, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Netherlands
- Dr. Daniel Ghezelbash | Associate Professor and Director, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Sydney; Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow.
- Dr. Malaka Shwaikh | Associate Lecturer, University of St Andrews
- Jennifer Tierney | Executive Director, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Join us at 5:30 PM for a complimentary drink, with the film screening beginning promptly at 6:00 PM.
Preconceived
Preconceived is a powerful documentary that delves into the controversial world of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in America. Through the stories of two women, Maleeha in Texas and Maria in Colorado, the film reveals how these centers, often posing as abortion clinics, use deception and faith-driven agendas to influence vulnerable people facing unplanned pregnancies. With testimonies from both CPC leaders and critics, Preconceived exposes the complex and often hidden realities of these centers. In an era of shifting reproductive rights, this film is a must-see for anyone concerned about access to honest, compassionate care.
- Screening Date: 28 October 2024
- Location: Palace Central, Sydney
Panel Discussion:
- Dr. Linda Atkins | Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Specialist in Obstetric and Gynaecological Ultrasound
- Clemence Chbat | Medical Advisor, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
- Kate Dumke and Sabrine Keane | Directors of Preconceived
Moderated by:
- Dr. Lai Heng Foong | Emergency physician, Sydney NSW
Join us at 5:30 PM for a complimentary drink, with the film screening beginning promptly at 6:00 PM.
La fabrique des pandémies
La Fabrique des Pandémies (The Pandemic Factory) is a gripping and urgent documentary that explores the devastating link between environmental destruction and the rise of pandemics. Narrated by actress Juliette Binoche, the film travels the globe to uncover how deforestation, wildlife trafficking, and industrial agriculture are driving the emergence of deadly diseases. Featuring leading scientists and experts, La Fabrique des Pandémies delivers a powerful call to action, urging us to rethink our relationship with nature to prevent the next global health crisis.
Don’t miss this eye-opening exploration of the environmental roots of pandemics.
- Screening Date: 4 November 2024
- Location: Building 35/36 Science Road, Acton, ACT, 2601. Birch Innovation Space, Australian National University
Panel Discussion:
- Associate Professor Rosie Cooney | Senior Director of the Conservation Research branch of the ACT Government Environment
- Dr. Anne Sénéquier | Researcher and co-director of the IRIS Global Health Observatory, specialising in health and environment issues
- Prof. Hilary Bambrick | Director, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University
Moderated by:
- Dr. Selina Namchee Lo | Executive Director, The Australian Global Health Alliance
Join us at 5:30 PM for a complimentary drink, with the film screening beginning promptly at 6:00 PM.
Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following program may contain images and voices of deceased persons.
Ḻuku Ngärra: The Law of the Land is a powerful documentary that tells the extraordinary story of Rev Dr.Gondarra OAM, a revered clan leader of the Yolŋu Nation. As a civil rights activist, spiritual leader, and educator, Dr. Gondarra has dedicated his life to upholding the traditional law of his people. Filmed over five years in Northeast Arnhem Land, this intimate film offers a rare glimpse into Yolŋu culture, showcasing how it has maintained harmony with the environment and its people for tens of thousands of years. Don’t miss this profound exploration of Indigenous wisdom and resilience.
- Screening Date: 8 November 2024
- Location: Cinema Como, Melbourne
Panel Discussion:
- Dr. Christine Black | Member of the Australian Studies Centre, University of Cologne, Germany
- Prof. Anne Poelina | Chair of Indigenous Knowledges and Senior Research Fellow, Nulungu Research Institute
- Richard Trudgen | Culture-Cross, Community Development and Communications Specialist
Moderated by:
- Prof. Shaun McVeigh | Director of Graduate Research, Melbourne Law School
Join us at 5:30 PM for a complimentary drink, with the film screening beginning promptly at 6:00 PM.