Themes and Focus
The core focus of this call is to give voice to those living with rheumatic diseases, particularly through the lens of "silent" disabilities. These are the impairments that are not immediately apparent—chronic pain, fatigue, limited mobility, and other symptoms that, though they affect daily life profoundly, are not visible to others. Through your film, we seek to explore:
- Living with Rheumatic Diseases: The daily struggles, emotional toll, and resilience of individuals facing rheumatic diseases. This could include conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, and other similar disorders.
- Invisible Disabilities: Focus on the challenges that come with disabilities that aren’t immediately noticeable to others. These include chronic pain, fatigue, and cognitive challenges, which make the experience of living with a rheumatic disease even more isolating.
- Social and Cultural Impact: Address how rheumatic diseases shape an individual’s social life, professional career, relationships, and societal participation. The way communities perceive invisible illnesses, the stigma attached to them, and how people living with these diseases navigate their daily lives.
- The Psychological Journey: Explore the emotional impact, including depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. The psychological toll of living with a chronic condition is often overlooked, yet it is one of the most significant aspects of the illness experience.
- Personal Narratives: We welcome films that present personal stories of people affected by rheumatic diseases, offering insights into their lives and the world around them.
- Social Advocacy and Awareness: Films that raise awareness of rheumatic diseases and advocate for social inclusion, accessibility, and better recognition of invisible disabilities. How can society be more empathetic and supportive towards those living with these conditions?
Technical Guidelines
- Length: The films must be maximum 30 minutes in length.
- Format: Submissions may include live-action, animation, documentary, or experimental formats. The focus is on the story and its emotional and thematic impact.
- Submission Deadline: 31/01/2025
- Eligibility: This call is open to filmmakers worldwide, regardless of experience. We seek diverse perspectives, whether you are an emerging artist, an established filmmaker, or a professional in the field of social advocacy.
Submission Process
To submit your film, please provide the following:
1. Film Submission: A digital copy of the completed film in a high-quality format (MP4, MOV, or similar).
Applicants may submit the film via Filmfreeway.com or to istituto.storia.sir@reumatologia.it; Wetransfer, MyAirBridge, Dropbox, Vimeo and similar services can be used. Please note that if you submit your film via FilmFreeway and/or the above mentioned services, they may collect and process your personal data as an independent data controller. Your personal data and the film will be then shared with Ca' Foscari for the following steps of the selection procedure in which a complete privacy notice will be handed to you.
Applicants will be informed of the selection of their film by February 15th, 2025. Once the selection has been completed, no selected movie may be withdrawn from the Festival program.
The submission of the selected movies must be completed including the following:
a) A filled and signed PDF copy of the entry form the Festival staff will send when selected;
c) A teaser/trailer, or a one-minute extract of the movie, and 3 stills.
Selection and Screening
A panel of judges composed of industry professionals, health experts, and representatives from the social inclusion and disability communities will review all submissions. The selected films will be showcased in a public screening event.
Conclusion
By participating in this initiative, you are contributing to a broader conversation about how society can better understand, support, and empower those living with rheumatic diseases and invisible disabilities. Your film has the potential to change perceptions, challenge social norms, and help create a more inclusive world.
We look forward to receiving your submissions and to showcasing films that will touch hearts, open minds, and inspire change.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us at istituto.storia.sir@reumatologia.it
