A docu-fiction film marks the 6th International Rare Diseases Day

February 28, 2013 marked the sixth World Rare Disease Day, organised with rare disease national alliances in 24 European countries.

This was the perfect opportunity for us to promote the activities of our client, the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC). Emakina thus managed a broad PR campaign, leveraging on a clip we had produced for the European Commission.

The original 13’“ docu-fiction” film was shot in nine countries around the world (Belgium, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, USA, Canada, Poland, and Japan). Its plot revolves around a fictitious private investigator, who searches for information on rare diseases. The investigative quest of our protagonist brings him to meet and interview a series of individuals, affected by IRDiRC (from policy-makers to researchers and even patients). The story is narrated by the investigator whose voice-over thoughts present the interviewees and their relevance to his study.

The fictitious character, narrating the film, creates identification with his quest and thirst for information about the IRDiRC. At the same time, interviewees are real personas who identify by their names and organisations, sharing insights about the consortium’s activities.  Finally, patients’ families, who were courageous enough to share their personal stories in front of our camera, bring the human aspect of the consortium. They remind viewers why this entire operation is worthwhile: it simply saves lives.

The results were beyond satisfactory. Numerous Television networks have shown interest in our material and requested to air it on their respective channels. Some of them went furhter and asked to arrange additonal interviews with the film’s participants.

Once again we see how the combination of a high-level audio-visual production along with a well-thought strategic dissemination – delivered the message to millions around the world!