Film Festival to Support Global Surgery

On July 8, San Francisco will host the first ever Bay Area Global Health Film Festival (BAGHFF). BAGHFF has brought together a collection of inspiring, educational and entertaining films from around the world that demonstrate how access to simple surgical procedures can have life-changing effects on individuals in remote areas of the developing world. Benefits will go to the Institute for Global Orthopedics and Traumatology as they seek to increase access to surgery in the developing world. The films include:

The Right to Heal – By Jaymie Ang-Henry – Jaymie has travelled the world documenting global surgery issues. The film tells the stories of people affected by disabilities that are easily treatable, such as cleft lip and club foot, but because of a lack of surgical care are disabled for life. The Right to Heal also focuses on women affected by fistula and the appalling life they are submitted to, physically and socially, purely because they do not have access to simple surgical procedures.

Visions of Mustang – By Daniel Byers and Skyship Films – Visions of Mustang follows the first surgical eye expedition to enter the Forbidden Kingdom. Their journey is intense and ambitious, venturing into one of the most remote regions of the planet. With the help of 18 monks from the Pematsal monastery and 35 ponies who carry the 900 lbs. of medical gear, the team of American and Nepalese doctors sets out for the ancient walled city of Lo Manthang.

The Most Distant Places – By Mike Seely – The Most Distant Places journeys with Dr. Rodas and his team to the far reaches of Ecuador, interweaving intimate portrayals of the doctors with stories of the patients they treat. Traveling from indigenous areas in the Andes to fishing villages on the coast and to Amazonian river communities, this film offers a unique look at the challenges of providing healthcare for impoverished people located far from adequate medical facilities.

Losing a LIMb – Life Without Your Own 2 Feet – By Ray Burson – “Losing a LIMb – Life Without Your Own 2 Feet” focuses on the lack of orthopedic care and access to prosthetics in developing countries. It emphasizes the personal and societal trauma of road traffic injuries, with high fatality and disability rates.

Come show support for the films, the change-makers on the ground, and all the local organizations involved with a night filled with food, drinks, music and films. Tickets cost $10 and are available at bayareaghff.org.

Richard Coughlin, M.D., M.Sc. is Director of the Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology. He tells OTW, “Global surgery has been the ‘ugly stepchild’ of global health and there exists an enormous need to create awareness and advocacy for increased funding and initiatives to strengthen systems to lesson the burden of trauma and surgical diseases. This film festival serves to advocate for this need.”