Films made about herpes

Two local filmmakers have had their films accepted in a short film competition in Sydney, designed to heighten awareness of the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

The film makers were challenged to shoot 30-second cinematic films designed to debunk myths surrounding the virus.

Joel Ibbetson from Umina Beach was awarded an honourable mention award for his film Open Happiness.

"The animation film is based on an old Cinderella theme and stylised as such, but with a modern relationship twist," said Mr Ibbetson.

Mr Ibbetson was also recently involved as art director in a short film called Cold Sore which was entered in 35 international film festivals and two national festivals.

The Live and Love Short Film competition attracted a total of 117 short film submissions of exceptionally high standard.

Among them was the entry of Daniel Stone from Woy Woy bay with his film You Know People with HSV.

Mr Stone's film is based on humanising the virus statistics "by applying them to the number of friends we have on Facebook - hoping to illustrate just how common HSV is within the community.

"If one in eight people have HSV Type Two, and three in four have Type One, odds are you probably already know a whole bunch of people with HSV.

"Ever since I was young I've been concerned about social justice issues, and thought the stigmatism around sexually-transmitted infections has been a great hindrance to people getting checked out.

"Everyone should do their best to prevent the spread of the virus, but if you get it it's not the end of the world," said Mr Stone.

The presentation ceremony of the inaugural Live & Love Short Film Competition was held on the eve of National Herpes Awareness Day on Wednesday, October 20, at the Soho Bar in Sydney.

Kaitlin Watts, 20 Oct 2010 Interviewees: Daniel Stone and Joel Ibbetson Media release, 20 Oct 2010 Kirsten Bruce, Viva Communiations