Call for Applications for Merck Foundation Film Awards ‘More Than a Mother’ 2022

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej has announced the Call for Applications for the new edition of the Merck Foundation Film Awards ‘More Than a Mother’ 2022. I am looking forward to the entries from our African Filmmakers and students of film making institutions this year too.

However this year, I’d like to emphasize that the theme in 2022 aims to address wider range of topics such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls’ Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and Women Empowerment at all levels.

Filmmakers and Young talents of Africa, it’s time to showcase your talent and contribute towards making a difference in society with your unique films with strong and relevant messages about app critical ca and sensitive issues we face in our continent. Be the voice of the voiceless, break the silence and let’s all join hands to create a cultural shift.”

Who can apply?

All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address any of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls’ Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and Women Empowerment at all levels.

Last Date of Submission: 30th July 2022

How to Apply? Please share your work as YouTube links on: [email protected]

Share a short brief about the issue you are addressing. The subject line of the mail should mention: Merck Foundation FILM Awards “More Than a Mother” 2022. Please specify your name, institution name, country, and contact details in the mail.

Categories:

• English
• French
• Portuguese
• Arabic

Prize money: USD 1000 for each category. Selection committee can decide to award more than one winner for each category based on the quality of work received.

About ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign

“Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe, effective and equitable fertility care solutions. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention, management, and male infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for fertility specialists and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.

With “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It’s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. 

The Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” are:

• H E. NEO JANE MASISI,The First Lady of Botswana-
• H E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia-
• H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia
• H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi-
• H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana-
• H.E. AISHA BUHARI, The First Lady of Nigeria
• H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic-
• H.E. CLAR WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia-
• H.E FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone
• H.E. ANTOINETTE SASSOU-NGUESSO, The First Lady of Congo Brazzaville-
• H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of Malawi-
• H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA, The First Lady of Zambia
• H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, THE First Lady of Democratic Republic of Congo-
• H.E. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique-
• H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of Zimbabwe

Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as.

• ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Africa Media Recognition Awards and Health Media Training
• ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Fashion Awards
• ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Film Awards
• ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Song Awards
• Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it
• Children storybook, localized for each country

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth.

All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit Merck-Foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com); Facebook (bit.ly/32YFKpv), Twitter (bit.ly/2TeOQNj), Instagram(bit.ly/3g6OYr3) , YouTube (bit.ly/3zc3up1) and Flicker (bit.ly/2Tay0Pu).