All set for AIDS Red Fashion Film Festival

Kingston will be transformed into red for World AIDS Day tomorrow in keeping with the Red Fashion Film Festival, to be held at the Courtleigh Auditorium, and the Red Garden Picnic Party on Sunday at Devon House.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will be hosting the events to bring attention to the fact that persons living with HIV/AIDS can live active, healthy and fruitful lives.

Caribbean Regional Director of AHF Dr Kevin Harvey said the events are also being hosted to increase awareness of the importance of getting tested and in a bid to continue the push for the removal of stigma and discrimination as it relates to persons living with HIV/AIDS.

"The colour red is tied to World AIDS Day activities globally and is seen as part of our advocacy to remove stigma and discrimination and promote the importance of getting tested and knowing one's status," he explained.

Local narrative films

Local film-makers were invited to submit short narrative films surrounding the theme HIV/AIDS, and so, the night will begin with a viewing of the top four entries and a private viewing of the movie, 90 days, winner of the African Academy Award for Best Diaspora Short Film and starring Pauletta Washington, wife of Denzel Washington. The male lead actor, Nic Few, along with the writer/director and executive producer, Nathan Hale Williams, will attend the event and lead the panel discussion, which will be hosted by actress and founder of the Diva Foundation, Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Patrons will be treated to a 'red' display of fashion in between viewings.

The Red Garden Picnic Party, which will be held on Sunday at Devon House, will be a family event where attendees can access health screenings, and will feature a kiddies' village, entertainment and refreshments. Patrons are expected to dress in red as part of the continued theme.

Led by AHF, the Red Fashion Film Festival and the Red Garden Picnic Party are being held in collaboration with Andre Rowe Designs, National Family Planning Board, UNAIDS and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

World AIDS Day 2018 is being observed under the theme, 'Know your Status.'

Apart from advocacy, AHF offers high-quality medical services at no cost to patients suffering from STIs. The foundation, which is based in Los Angeles, is a global non-profit provider of HIV-prevention services, testing and healthcare for persons living with HIV. There are over a million clients in care throughout 41 countries supported by AHF.

AHF Jamaica provides HIV/AIDS and STI services, including prevention, testing and treatment from its Hagley Park Road headquarters.