Rare Film Festival

General Enquiries

rarefilmfestival@geneticalliance.org.uk

Jan Bochiński, Fundraising Manager
jan.bochinski@geneticalliance.org.uk

T: +44 20 7831 0883

Rare Disease UK is hosting the UK’s first ever film festival that is dedicated to raising awareness of rare diseases. We are inviting charities, companies, independent film-makers, students and individuals to submit their films. Our judging panel will choose the most innovative, inspiring and powerful films that raise awareness of a rare disease or rare diseases to receive awards across eight categories.

The winning movies will be screened at an Awards Ceremony in Regent Street Cinema in front of an audience of major rare disease supporters, including charities, patients and patient advocates, researchers, healthcare professionals, film-making professionals, industry representatives, digital and PR agencies. The event is an opportunity to shed light on the realities of living with a rare condition ahead of the upcoming Rare Disease Day on 29 February 2020.

Who can take part?

• Aspiring Filmmakers – anyone interested in film and film production – students, film amateurs, independent professionals.
• Patient Organisations – charities supporting the cause of a rare condition(s).
• Voluntary Organisations – non registered, small patient groups supporting the cause of a rare condition(s).
• Digital and PR agencies that have or wish to create a film in collaboration with a rare disease charity.
• Companies that have, or wish to create a film in collaboration with a rare disease charity.

How to get involved?

To take part in the festival, we are accepting the following film entries:

• Pre-existing films that you have already produced (this can be produced in-house, or co-produced with an external agency or company).
• New films.
• You can also apply to be matched with an aspiring filmmaker or patient organisation to collaborate on a film (applications for requesting to collaborate have been closed).
• Films should be under 15 minutes minutes long and should explore the theme of rare disease.

Why would you want to collaborate?

It is a great chance for filmmakers to produce films that will feature real life stories, while also helping small patient organisations to produce high-quality film material which can be used as an additional awareness raising tool for future campaigns. The collaboration teams will be announced in November 2019.

Did you know?

Rare Disease Day is a global event that aims to raise awareness of rare diseases. It is officially held on the last day of February each year, and recognised in over 90 countries worldwide.

Individually rare diseases are uncommon but collectively they affect many people. In the UK it is estimated that 3.5 million people will be affected by a rare disease at some point in their lives, that is equivalent to 1 in 17.

There are between 6,000 and 8,000 known rare diseases and around five new rare diseases are described in medical literature each week.

Unfortunately, the reality of rare disease patients is challenging, many experience delays in getting an accurate diagnosis, receive poorly coordinated care and face difficulties accessing appropriate information.

If you wish to learn more about the Rare Disease Day and read some of the patient stories, visit our dedicated website by clicking here.