This week the Australian Herpes Management Forum (AHMF) is launching the inaugural Live & Love Short Film Competition – an initiative designed to destigmatise HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) – the virus responsible for cold sores and genital herpes – through the creation of short films.

The AHMF wishes to invite you to participate in the Live & Love Short Film Competition by creating high-quality, 30-second-long films that explore HSV and educate viewers about its prevalence, while encouraging open discussion about the virus in order to reduce its stigma.

A total prize purse of $15,000 is up for grabs, with finalists being invited to mingle with a host of arts industry representatives, including award-winning filmmaker and 2009 Tropfest Winner, Genevieve Clay and Beached Az creators Anthony MacFarlane and Jarod Green, at the Live & Love Short Film Competition Awards, to be held in Sydney on Tuesday 19 October 2010 – the evening prior to Herpes Awareness Day, 20 October 2010.

This groundbreaking competition, themed ‘Let’s talk about HSV’, encourages entrants to use short films to debunk myths about herpes and facilitate conversation in the community about a virus affecting one in eight sexually active Australian adults.

You have until 24 September 2010 to write, shoot and edit short films designed to destigmatise herpes. The Live & Love website, <http://www.liveandlove.com.au>, provides you with competition and voting details and information about HSV and support services, including a list of sexual health experts.

For further information, please feel free to contact me on (02) 9884 9011 / 0401 717 566 or <kirstenbruce@vivacommunications.com.au> or visit <http://www.liveandlove.com.au

By Press Release

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