New AIDS film in Georgia Circulated Using Mobiles

A 20-minute long film about AIDS has been produced as part of the Save the Children and United Nations Children's fund (UNICEF)-led educational campaign focusing on young people and HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Georgia. The film will be split in five parts and converted into the mobile phone format. Youth peer counsellors will send the pieces one-at-a-time to their clients and encourage "viral" distribution to friends. This is the first time that this method of distribution has been used in Georgia. The film will also be shown to young people in Abkhazia.

The film aims to educate young people through looking at daily situations and the dilemmas they face. The film was created to help them realize the dangers of AIDS and learn what to do to prevent the spreading of the disease. Young people were actively involved in the preparation of the film itself, especially in the scenario development process.

According to the Republic of Georgia Country Director of Save the Children, most young people under the age of 25 have a cell phone, many with both video and Bluetooth (a way to connect and exchange information between devices such as mobile phones, laptops, personal computers, printers, digital cameras, and video game consoles over a secure, globally unlicensed short-range radio frequency) capability. This communication technology opens an opportunity for youth, as stated here, "to try and openly discuss decisions and actions that might put them at risk.... The film doesn't have a concrete message; it’s just a story about everyday life of young people - though the parts of everyday life that might put them at risk." The approach of the message reaching youth cellphone owners is, according to the UNICEF Representative in Georgia, "to make young people think and then to come to right answers. We do hope that the film will help them realize the dangers of AIDS and learn what to do to prevent the spreading of the disease."