Using music and video for health promotion

ITFL uses professional music and film production to engage and empower the creative talent within communities seriously challenged by poor health and poverty. 

Doing this, we produce health promotion materials generated by and resonant in those communities, for ongoing use by local and international NGOs, CSOs, schools, youth facilities, and broadcasters.

We started in 2007 and were founded as an NGO and UK registered charity in 2011. 

Why is this work needed?  What problems will it solve?

Around the world, millions of people suffer from infectious disease, poor health, and difficult social conditions, often living in great discomfort or dying because of preventable diseases. Among these people are some of the poorest and most deprived of education. Music and video are important channels for health information that can improve the quality of their lives. Throughout even the least developed regions, people have access to radios, and sometimes TVs: through these devices, information can access remote populations that sometimes receive no other health education or services.  Good music resonant with local tastes draws people in; and songs and videos with positive health promotion and disease prevention messages, written and performed by local people, and used in structured campaigns by CSOs, NGOs and schools, can reach wide audiences – rich and poor, across all social classes.  Video animation further broadens that appeal, and provides the potential to tackle issues of stigma in new ways.  As well as health promotion, this field-oriented approach can be applied to other issues – gender equality, literacy, reproductive and maternal health, interfaith relations, or any other advocacy, educational or campaigning area.

Quick facts

Project countries to date: Sierra Leone (2007); Malawi (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013); DR Congo (2009); Kenya (2010, 2011).

Implementation partners to date: Christian Aid; INERELA+; Music Crossroads International; Theatre for a Change Malawi; Methodist Youth Resource Centre Sierra Leone; Marie Stopes International; FOCUS Malawi; MASHUP Malawi; VORSI Congo; State of Play Games (UK); tvandweb.co.uk; Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd.

Award nominations to date: One World Media Awards Special Award 2011 (runners up); One World Media Awards Special Award 2009 (runners up); Digital Media Competition, 5th International Entertainment Education Conference, New Delhi (‘People’s pick’ shortlist - Top 5); Greatest Story Never Told 2008.