Scenarios from the Sahel

Scenarios from the Sahel is a unique collection of 13 films exploring the issue of HIV/Aids in Africa. The films combine humour, drama and animation with information about the nature of HIV/AIDS and the best forms of prevention. They provide an insight into the daily experience of living with the disease as experienced by people of all ages in Africa.

In 1997, thousands of young people under 25 in Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso took part in a contest inviting them to come up with ideas for short films on HIV/AIDS. The contest was so successful that a second contest was held in early 2000. Special emphasis in this contest was placed on encouraging girls/young women, rural youth, and young people who do not attend school to participate. Scores of organisations worked in partnership to bring the conteststo communities, and almost 22,000 young people took part.

Scenarios from the Sahel (now known as Scenarios From Africa) is a community mobilisation, education and media project. It offers children and young people the opportunity to work with international directors in the production of short fiction films to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

To date, over 75,000 young people from more than 35 African countries have competed to have their ideas turned into film. 28 short fiction pieces are currently available, and have been distributed on a non-commercial basis across Africa and beyond. They have been broadcast on local and national television stations and on international satellite networks, and are also used by schools and other organizations to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

"The contest permitted me to wake people up and let them know that AIDS exists, which I couldn't do before."

Contest participant, Senegal

"Nobody ever listens to us. We participated in the contest because it finally gave us a chance to say what we think and what we feel."

Female contest participant, aged 18, Senegal, at a focus group discussion

"The marked improvement in knowledge levels became evident when we [teachers] asked specific questions at the end of the contest pertaining to topics that had been the source of confusion among students when the contest began."

Teacher, Senegal

Scenarios from Africa is coordinated by Global Dialogues - a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in education and communication about HIV/AIDS.

For more information about Scenarios From Africa please visit the Global Dialogues website.