Nanmet Anthony’s Film, Future Present, Wins Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2021

Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany announced the Winners of Merck Foundation Film Awards ‘More Than a Mother’ 2021 in partnership with African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother. The theme of the awards was: to create a film or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages about breaking Infertility stigma, Empowering Girls and Women through Education at all levels.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, President of “More than a Mother” campaign emphasized, “I am extremely happy to announce today the winners of Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2021 in partnership with African First Ladies. Big congratulations to all the winners. I appreciate the efforts put in by the young talents across Africa in their films through which they have beautifully conveyed important messages in line with the theme of the awards. I strongly believe that all forms of art including filmmaking can play a significant role in bringing about a culture shift in society, in the world. Our aim was to utilize this medium to encourage promising filmmakers and new talents across the continent to create short or long films either drama documentary or docudrama conveying messages to break the stigma of infertility or empower Girl Education at all levels.”

This year, Merck Foundation had two categories: English and French.

Here is the list of Award Winners: FIRST POSITION (English):

• Sharon Kavhu and Hatite Hoabeb, NAMIBIA
• Film Name:Matumaini
• Link: https://bit.ly/3McVCtM
• Emulo Kgomotso, BOTSWANA
• Film Name:3 in 5
• Link: https://bit.ly/3Mkc7o0

SECOND POSITION (English):

• Nanmet Anthony, NIGERIA
• Film Name:Future Present
• Link: https://bit.ly/3sE69Xc

FIRST POSITION (French):

• Doux-mignon MALOBA, DRC
• Film Name:Le défi de Mariana
• Link: https://bit.ly/34eZ0Du

Merck Foundation ”More Than a Mother” Film Awards were launched in 2017. Winner of 2017 edition:

• Ms. Molatelo Mainetje,SOUTH AFRICA
• Film Name:Womb Man
• Link: https://bit.ly/3ttAMhl

Winners of 2019 Edition:

• Ms. Cecilia Oppong-Badu,GHANA
• Film Name:Her She Woman
• Link: https://bit.ly/3sB14yX
• Mr. Godfred Dela Duvi, GHANA
• Film Name:Exhale
• Link: https://bit.ly/3HE3eC0
• Ms. Jane Labous,SENEGAL 
• Film Name:Angels
• Link: https://bit.ly/3HAkdFn
• Ms. Fatou Fadiga,GUINEA
• Film Name:Infertile
• Link: https://bit.ly/3hGtpNP

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:

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).