World AIDS Day International Film Series 2008

Event at a Glance

World AIDS Day Nashville 2008 presents a fresh lineup of thought-provoking media experiences including an international film series, First Person* Theater, global poster art display, and live acoustic music. Each evening, a country is spotlighted and an HIV expert will help film viewers catch a glimpse of what it might be like to be HIV positive in different parts of the globe. This year’s event highlights Kenya, Japan, Latin America, The Netherlands and the U.S.A.

The film series runs from 20-23 November at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film. On World AIDS Day, (December 1st) at Meharry Medical College’s Learning Resource Center, ONE Voice will be presented by a First Person Theater group. Famed local artist Sarah Hart will conclude the final evening with a song she wrote in honor of World AIDS Day. On each evening, HIV rapid screening will be free and available to all.

 * HIV positive people from Nashville who are willing to tell dramatized version of their own stories to help dispel stigma and misperceptions.

 World AIDS Day…Who Cares?

 The number of people living with HIV is continuing to rise in every corner of the globe - including in Tennessee. There are now 33 million people living with HIV worldwide; over 1 million people living with HIV in the US; and about 19,000 Tennesseans living with HIV.

Science has not yet found a cure, but HIV is a preventable disease. The challenge, as ever, is creating wider access to information, education, direct prevention materials, and medical care.

World AIDS Day – 21 Years

Twenty-one years ago, a summit of health ministers realized that a united global effort was required to halt the spread of HIV. As a result, World AIDS Day emerged as the first international health day in December 1988.

The aim of World AIDS Day is to bring to people's attention the challenges and consequences of the epidemic - ultimately stopping the spread of HIV and improving the lives of people living with the virus.

Each year the campaign is an opportunity for organizations throughout the world to highlight the HIV pandemic in order to raise awareness and bring about change.

"The 2007 World AIDS Day event in Nashville was the best of all the HIV events I have been involved with in my 21 years of working in the HIV field,"

Victoria L. Harris, Ed.D., Director of Education at Nashville’s Comprehensive Care Center.

Nashville is presenting, for the second year running, a unique event to join in the worldwide effort. "World AIDS Day gives us the opportunity to stop and glance through a global window into other people’s lives to see just how connected we all really are," says Tim Daniels of Nashville CARES.

Partner organizations include the Comprehensive Care Center, Meharry Medical College, Nashville CARES, Planned Parenthood of Middle and East TN, STD Free! Coalition, Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Carpenter Program, and Vanderbilt University Cal Turner Program for Moral Leadership in the Professions.

All events begin precisely at 6:00 PM each night. Entry is free and open to all. Hors D’Oeuvres will be served. Come early, as seating may be limited. For more information, contact Nashville CARES at (615) 259-4866.

Available for Interviews:

Victoria L. Harris, Ed.D.

Sarah Jane Sheldon, MS

Event Locations:

Watkins College of Art, Design, and Film

Meharry Medical College

World AIDS Day Events Around the World

•Red Ribbon Ball, England

•Candlelight Vigil, NS

•Rock Concert, Croatia

•Bicycle Marathon, Egypt

•Sailing the Nile, Egypt

•Sex Conference, Ireland

•Cricket, India

•HIV Testing, Kenya

•Scooter Ride, Malaysia

•International Film Series and Live First Person Theater, Nashville, TN

•Poetry Readings, Nigeria

•Girl’s Night Out, Maine

•Concert, Singapore

•Prayer Walk, Uganda

For more about these and other events, go to:

www.worldaidscampaign.org