Shire picks winner for Gaucher film contest

Shire Pharmaceuticals has announced the winner and runner-up of the Spotlight on Gaucher film contest.

More than 13 entries were submitted from around the world, from Argentina, Columbia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Russia, Rwanda and the United States.

The judges chose an Argentinian film, My Daughter, as the winner, and a film from the same country called Morena as runner-up.

A Shire spokesperson told PMLiVE: “We are hoping the videos are seen by the Gaucher community, and also by the general public, to raise awareness of Gaucher disease.”

My Daughter tells the story of Gaucher sufferer Juliana, through the medium of family photographs. Her mother Nora looks back at images of Juliana from childhood diagnosis, through treatment, to adulthood.

Juliana herself then takes up the story, marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the start of her treatment, and her decision to become a mother.

Morena focuses on a young girl who refuses to let her Gaucher diagnosis prevent her from taking up figure skating.

The contest coincided with International Gaucher Day (IGD) on 1 October and the winning videos were chosen by an independent external judging panel including representatives from the EGA, The Ma'aleh Film School in Jerusalem, and the Gaucher disease medical and patient community.

Judging criteria focused on video creativity, storytelling and awareness raising.

The winner and runner up will receive an official contest certificate and will be recognised as part of the IGD activities organised by the EGA.

Emmanuel Dulac, head of the Rare Diseases Business Unit at Shire, said: “The Spotlight on Gaucher film contest has provided a platform for those impacted by this rare condition to creatively articulate the effect Gaucher disease has on their lives.

“At Shire, we are committed to working with the community to raise awareness of Gaucher disease. Through initiatives that give patients and the community a voice, we hope to unite those living with rare diseases and help to raise awareness of these life-altering conditions.”