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one-minute film contest

The contest on one-minute films on health impact of heatwaves and risk management

12/05/2023

The aim of the contest 

The aim of the film contest is to raise public awareness on how to prevent, prepare for and to address issues arising from heatwaves.

The winning films of this competition will be used to raise awareness by the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.

Background on the topics

Health and environment are strongly linked with one another, and human activities are the main source of harmful substances.

For example, the foreseen impacts of climate change for Georgia include more frequent, stronger and longer heatwaves, especially in urban settings (Telavi, Tbilisi and Zugdidi) and affecting primary vulnerable populations. A further increase in the number of very warm, hot and very hot days in Tbilisi in the period 2020–2049 is expected.

Research has established that lower knowledge level on heatwave protection makes people more vulnerable to heatwaves. Furthermore, regarding our surveys and expert interviews, the level of public awareness of environmental health issues in Georgia is described to be generally quite low.

Key messages

1. Keep the interiors cool

On hot days, the outdoor air is often warmer than the indoor air. In such cases, close the windows and shade them from the sun with curtains or blinds. A solar protection film can also be installed on the windows of rooms that heat up easily. When the air cools down in the evening, open the windows and ventilate the apartment. Turn off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances.

If you use a cooling air conditioner, remember to keep the doors and windows closed. The fan makes it easier to feel more comfortable indoors, when the temperature is below 35 degrees. The fan should not be used when it is warmer than this, as it increases the body’s heat load.

2. Avoid hot places and direct sunlight

Avoid being outside during the hottest time of the day. If your apartment is unbearably hot, spend time in cool places, such as a shaded park or air-conditioned public spaces.

When you are outside, avoid the scorching sun and stay in the shade.

If your day includes heavy physical effort, try to do it in the morning or evening. Take it easy during the hottest moments of the day.

3. Drink enough and eat lightly

Drink enough throughout the day. Remember to drink even before you get thirsty. Especially the elderly and children should drink before they feel thirsty.

You know you’ve drank too little when

•          you are thirsty or your mouth is dry

•          the need to urinate decreases

•          the color of the urine becomes darker.

Plain water is a good thirst quencher. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they dehydrate the body. Also avoid very sugary drinks.

Remember to eat enough to keep the body’s salt balance normal. Eat frequent small meals. Favor cool and watery foods such as salads and fruits. Avoid foods that are high in protein.

4. Keep the body cool

Dress lightly in loose clothing that allows you to sweat. Natural materials such as linen and cotton are cool in summer.

Protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and clothing with long sleeves and legs.

Cool the body, for example, with cool showers, damp clothes or cold wraps. Replace the blanket and bed sheets with light textiles made from natural materials.

5. Take care of others

The elderly and those suffering from reduced functional capacity may need help and support on hot days. Reach out and ask about the well-being of your loved ones who belong to risk groups, such as the aged, people under some medication, and people living alone, every day. If necessary, help loved ones protect themselves from the heat.

Children do not always understand how to protect themselves from heat and sunlight. Guide the children into the shade and make sure they drink enough water.

Do not leave children, the elderly or animals in a parked car. If your child sleeps in the pram outside, do not leave the pram in the sunlight.

6. Take heat-related health problems seriously

If you or a loved one has a long-term illness, watch for worsening symptoms. It is worth discussing with the doctor in advance how the heat affects the disease or the medication.

Heat illnesses can cause fatigue, weakness, headache, and increased body temperature.

If symptoms appear and you have been exposed to heat, rest in a cool place and drink more water. If the symptoms ease within about half an hour and the body temperature, which is higher than usual, drops clearly (0.5 degrees or more), the symptoms are probably related to heat stress. If the body temperature remains high, it can also be caused by a fever.

If symptoms indicating a heat illness appear or the symptoms of the underlying disease worsen, contact healthcare if necessary. You can call your own healthcare provider or the emergency number.

Who can participate in the contest?

All residents of Georgia and Georgian students and civil society organizations. It is possible to enter the contest as an individual or a team. All the entering contestants must be at least 18 years of age.

Conditions for the participation in the contest:

  • The video must focus on heatwaves
  • The contestants must send a film that is animated and/or filmed. The storyline can be documentative, fictive or a hybrid
  • The film must be in Georgian with English subtitles.
  • Duration – 1 minute (the maximum length – 1,5 minutes; the minimum length – 50 seconds)
  • A film shouldn’t be previously published on any platform
  • The author must hold the copyrights of the film and all footage used in the film
  • If required, the author must present the permission of all the possible actors in the film (if necessary, the form of the contest letter will be provided)
  • The author must have the full right to use music in the film
  • Film format – minimum HD quality, 1920×1080, mp4. The winning videos will also need to be edited to 1080×1080 format for social media advertising – keep this in mind when planning the compositions of the film.

More information about heat waves :

Which criteria will be taken into consideration for evaluation?

  • Film idea/ story
  • An angle of displaying the topic / the relevancy to the theme
  • Visual approach and form
  • Technical setup (audio and video quality)
  • The inclusion of one or more of the key messages presented in the brief

How to send a film?

The video should be uploaded on Youtube or Vimeo (UNLISTED) 

You can enter the competition by sending an informal email with your contact details and a link to the video to:

Antoine Pogorzelski: antoine.pogorzelski@expertisefrance.fr and

Ekaterine Lobzhanidze:: e.lobzhanidze@ncdc.ge.

Use the title “one-minute film on heatwaves” in the e email.

The video should contain a disclaimer at the end : This video was produced with the  financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the twinning project and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union

Logos : EUD, EF, THL, NCDC (are available upon request)

When is the deadline for submitting the film?

Deadline for submitting the film is 30th of June, 2023

What is the prize?

There will be two prices: 2000 EUR for 1st place and 1000 EUR for 2nd place.

How are the winners chosen and who will select the films?

Winners of the contest will be selected by the jury.

Winning films will be published on the web and social media pages of NCDC and/or (prospective collaborator)

The winners will be invited to the final seminar of the Twinning project where the films will also be presented.

It is not allowed to post a film on any other platform before the competition ends.

The authors of the winning videos will give NCDC all the rights to the video.

Jury members:

  • 2-3 representatives from NCDC and Environmental Education and Information Center
  • 1 representative from possible cooperating media or other partners
  • 1-2 Twinning experts

Organizer:

The National Center for Disease Control and Public Health and the European Union Funded Twinning project to support the implementation of Health Impact Assessment practice in Georgia. The twinning project is implemented by France and Finland.

For more information please contact us: Project sheet – Expertise France

Antoine Pogorzelski, RTA :

  • Tel : +995 551 115 754 in Georgia / +33 6 63 23 08 47 in France
  • Whatsapp : +33 6 63 23 08 47

Ekaterine Lobzhanidze, RTA Assistant

  • Tel : +995 599 50 71 67