Staying Alive: 48 Fest

48Fest is the first film competition organised by MTV. During the International AIDS Conference that took place in Toronto, Canada in August 2006, forty-eight youth delegates divided into eight teams were selected to write, film, edit, and launch a three-minute trailer (short) on a timely theme related to HIV/AIDS awareness in just 48 hours. The final result was that 48 hours later, eight films were projected and submitted for voting. The films were:

• The Last Time: About “sugar daddies” (men who offer gifts or money in exchange for sexual favours).
• Breathing Space: About the time that should be taken to have safe sex.
• Different Strokes: Three young people with HIV who are marginalised by their communities.
• The Day After Tomorrow: Centred on the barriers and emotions that come together after HIV testing.
• Legends: Three personalities living with the most well-known myths about HIV and AIDS. The film seeks to show the truth about these situations.
• Living with Desire: A man struggling with the decision to become sexually active.
• Leader of the Pack: About how “macho” attitudes can be at the root of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world.
• Fear and Loathing: The winning film - it is a drama that explores the impact of HIV/AIDS regarding stigmatisation and its consequences.