Cast your vote now!

The ISN congratulates all the filmmakers for their submissions, and thanks them for making the ISN Community Film Event such an engaging experience.

The Film Event Jury selected 7 finalists. Who wins? You choose!
Vote for your favorite film by Friday January 10, 2025 at 11.59 p.m. CET.

The most voted film will be awarded with the “2025 ISN Film Community Best Film” award.
The nominees are:

SACRED GIFT
Submitted by:
Caroline Tait (Metis) (Indigenous Platform Lead, Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Canada); Sean Muir (First Nations)(Indigenous Story Studio, Canada); Kevin Settee (Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Canada); Craig Settee (Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Canada)


Summary
In Canada, and globally, there is limited discussions by Indigenous peoples about organ donation and transplantation, including discussions about living donation. However, high rates of kidney disease and end-stage kidney failure exist in many Indigenous populations, including Canada. Despite these elevated rates of kidney disease, many Indigenous people who require a kidney transplant know nothing about living kidney donation. Our animation is about bringing awareness about living donation through Indigenous story telling. The animation was created in 2023-2024 and is based upon the true story of First Nations brothers, Kevin and Craig Settee. Collectively we worked as an Indigenous team to tell this story in a way that will spark conversation across our Indigenous nations and globally. The film will be translated into Indigenous languages in Canada and it will be shared across Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in Canada and globally. Our team also wanted to raise awareness about the struggles children, Indigenous and non-Indigenous-face when living with chronic illness and to the promise of living kidney donation as a "sacred gift" that gives life. This work is part of our larger work promoting Indigenous patient-oriented research and knowledge translation that is grounded in the lived experience of Indigenous patients, families and communities. Unfortunately, Indigenous populations globally, do not receive much attention at international forums, specifically in the area of ODT.



HEROES DE CADA DIA: SUEÑOS Y ESPERANZA EN DIALISIS / EVERYDAY HEROES: DREAMS AND HOPE IN DIALYSIS
Submitted by:
Milenka Flores Pacara (Dr Mario Ortiz Suárez "Children´s Hospital", Bolivia)


Summary

Santa Cruz is the largest department in Bolivia; however, it faces challenges due to limited healthcare resources. The Dr. Mario Ortiz Suarez Children's Hospital plays a vital role in providing care for children from neighboring departments, including Pando, Beni, and Tarija. Our Nephrology Service has been operating effectively for three years and is staffed by two dedicated pediatric nephrologists who are passionate about their patient's well-being. Many of our young patients come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and face significant challenges due to kidney disease and its repercussions. We are committed to addressing these urgent healthcare needs and making a meaningful difference in their lives.


DONATE LIFE: PABLO'S STORY
Submitted by:
Paula Marioli (Renálida, Argentina); Maximiliano Bresciano (Renálida, Argentina); Federico Mendoza Correa (Renálida, Argentina); Hugo Petrone (CUCAIBA, Argentina)

Summary

In Argentina, coverage for preventive kidney transplantation is total, yet only 15% of living donor transplants are performed before patients need dialysis. This figure reflects a worrying reality: the lack of renal health programmes prevents many people from accessing this treatment opportunity and preventive care at all stages of CKD. This film presents the transformative experience of Pablo, a competitive athlete who decided to donate a kidney to his brother before he needed dialysis. Through his story, Pablo shares the obstacles he faced at the beginning - from misinformation to his own and his environment's fears - and how this journey led him to a profound spiritual development, giving a new meaning to his life.
Today, Pablo is carrying the banner of ‘organ donation is life donation’ around the world, inspiring others to make a life-saving decision to avoid dialysis. His story invites us to reflect on the power of solidarity and the transformative impact of every act of generosity.



SHARRON ROUSE’S JOURNEY WITH APOL1-MEDIATED KIDNEY DISEASE (AMKD): EMBRACING ADVOCACY AND RAISING AWARENESS
Submitted by:
Olivia StMartin (Vertex Pharmaceuticals, USA); Lyndsey Scull (Vertex Pharmaceuticals, USA) ; Hayley Lambert (Vertex Pharmaceuticals, USA); Matt Gelineau (Vertex Pharmaceuticals, USA)


Summary
Hear from Sharron Rouse as she shares her experience living with APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD) – from diagnosis, to treatment, to transplant and beyond. Her story highlights the importance of self-advocacy and being educated about one’s own health, the impact on her family, and the power of a strong support network.



AVIA'S STORY
Submitted by:
Katrina Chau (Regional Dialysis Centre, Blacktown Hospital, Australia); Tanya Smolonogov (Regional Dialysis Centre, Blacktown Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Australia)


Summary
The western suburbs of Sydney are a disadvantaged area with the fastest growing population of patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease in Australia. Immigrants from our neighbours, the Pacific Islands, are over represented in our hospitals and dialysis units because of their susceptibility to these diseases.
Unfortunately, healthcare services often have difficulty engaging well with Pasifika background patients. Priorities other than their physical health needs, such as family, working to survive, mental wellbeing, and spiritual needs, are not adequately considered, resulting in these aspects of a person becoming barriers to good health rather than strengths. This has lead to late presentation of conditions which, especially in the new era of diabetic kidney disease therapies, are treatable.
Our film was made in September 2024 so we could share the experience of healthcare services and dialysis from a Pasifika perspective, acknowledging the specific spiritual and cultural beliefs in this community.
We had wanted to make this film for some time but couldn't find a willing patient. One day our predialysis nurse walked past Avia sharing his story with a friend in the dialysis unit and realised that we had found the perfect ambassador.
We hoped that patients from a Pasifika background who saw the video would be more open to seeking healthcare. We also hoped that the video could help our colleagues better understand the patient perspective and connect with their patients more effectively in order to tailor care to the person as a whole.


POSITIVITY BREEDS RESILIENCE DESPITE DIALYSIS DEPENDENT RENAL FAILURE
Submitted by:
Wan Hazlina Wan Mohamad (Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) ;Muhammad Syahmi Azman (Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia); Azrini Abdul Aziz (Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Summary
Syahmi is navigating the challenges of living as a peritoneal dialysis (PD) patient with remarkable resilience, striving to maintain a sense of normalcy in his daily life. Despite the demands of his treatment, he continues to engage with the world around him with as much energy and positivity as possible. He pursues hobbies, socializes with friends and family, and seeks out activities that give him joy, whether it\'s spending time outdoors, watching his favourite shows, or enjoying meals with loved ones. While he recognizes that PD requires discipline and adjustments, he remains focused on living as independently as possible. His approach to health involves a mix of practical considerations and mental strength, staying committed to his treatment while maintaining a positive outlook and a belief that he can still enjoy a fulfilling life. Year: 2023, updated Nov 2024



ISPD - 40 YEARS OF EMPOWERING PATIENTS ON DIALYSIS WORLDWIDE
Submitted by:
International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis

Summary
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the ISPD has produced this film to honor its journey and the profound impact of peritoneal dialysis (PD) on patients worldwide. Founded in 1984 with the mission to expand access to PD and enhance the quality of care, the ISPD has been at the forefront of promoting this life-saving therapy. Today, nearly 450,000 patients globally rely on PD, accounting for 11% of all individuals needing long-term dialysis. This film reflects on the remarkable ways PD is transforming lives, empowering patients, and reshaping the future of kidney care.



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