The South African project STEPS for the Future was presented with a Special Teddy Award for HIV Awareness at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) on 15 February. STEPS for the Future fights for the inclusion of people with HIV in society and against discrimination and stigmatisation.
This innovative film project, which commenced in 2000 in South Africa, provides affected people with a voice by letting them talk openly about how they deal with HIV and Aids. These courageous people reveal their daily lives and talk about their fears and the stigma that surrounds the disease.
The Special Teddy Award was presented to STEPS co-founder and producer Don Edkins and STEPS staff member Elaine Maane with the following citation: “With this special prize, which is given by the Teddy Award in cooperation with Berliner Aidshilfe e.V., we assign a film project, which, in an outstanding way, stands up for HIV awareness and therefore for education about and public awareness of this infectious disease.’
The handover ceremony took place at a colourful event attended by 1,500 people in the Kreuzberg Station Berlin with live music by Rufus Wainwright, among others. The 95-minute programme was broadcast by Arte and RBB.
