The Humsafar Trust Mumbai 9 th October 2009

 Title:Aa Muskuraa...  Genre: Docu-drama  Format:HDV, Stereo mix  Duration:60 mins  Language:Hindi with some Marathi and English  Target Audience:Counselors working at government run ICTCs

The film is a journey of a counselor Priya - her experiences and learnings. Priya’s journey from a frightened unsure counselor to a counselor of merit and capability is sure to bring hope and motivation to many a counselor.

 Priya, A middle class girl takes to counseling as a job option  Lands her first job in an ICTC in a public hospital  Meets with Dr. Hema working with PLHA  Exposure visit to Kamathipura ICTC  Exposure visit to MSM / TG CBO – ICTC  Support from Dr. Hema on counseling skills  Orientation programme on counseling skills  Health Camps in rural settings and Home based counseling  Meeting Navin  Improved counseling skills  Presentation of a Paper

 The Humsafar Trust is a community-based organization in Mumbai working in the area of sexuality, health and human rights of MSM / gay identified and Transgender community in India.  The Humsafar Trust’s Center for Excellence (CEFE) has Research, Capacity building and Advocacy as its main area of work. It has been actively involved in promoting the rights of the sexual minorities and people living with HIV.

 The advocacy unit has produced IEC materials - booklets, posters, interactive games on sexuality, safer-sex practices, HIV and AIDS, nutrition, etc.  The latest project being design and development of series of 7 posters on identity, safer-sex practices and rights of gay and transgender persons for John Hopkins University  One of the flagship projects has been publishing of Bombay Dost, India’s first queer focused magazine

Production and Distribution of awareness / educational films 68 PAGES - supported by DFID, a 90 minute feature film, is now being used effectively among counselor community to understand issues of marginalized communities that included MSM, Tg, IDU’s and female sex workers. BRIDGES OF HOPE - supported by UNAIDS to promote the health needs and rights of the sexual minorities. THE RIGHT WAY - a 3 minute film produced with support from UNDP for MSM and Tg groups that give seven steps demonstrating correct usage of condoms.

A sensitive and compelling story about a counselor and five of her counselees from different high-risk groups has won much acclaim, awards and appreciation.

 The film has been recommended by NACO as a mandatory resource material for all counselor training programmes in India.  The film has been screened at public fora, film clubs, CBOs, NGOs, colleges, universities, social groups, etc.  It has reached out to more than 45,000 persons over the past two years.

 UNDP – IEC Tool Kit and Condom Demo Film (Yehi Hai Right Way )  UNAIDS – A documentary on MSM and Tg Issues (Bridges of Hope )  NACO – Resource materials for MSM and Tg  DFID – A feature on Stigma and discrimination of marginalized groups ( 68 Pages )  Alliance – Pre Global Fund Pilot Project for Round 9  JHU – Developed MSM and Tg friendly posters  MDACS – 3 units to reach out to 4500 MSM and Tg (TIs) - Mumbai  AVERT Society – 3 units to reach out to 4500 MSM and Tg (TIs )-Mumbai  Aastha Project – Reaching out to 2600 Male sex workers in Mumbai HIVOS / EU : CVCTC+ project in five states with eight partners (SARVOJANA)

SRIDHAR RANGAYAN – Writer / Director One of the Founder Trustee and Head of Media Advocacy Cell is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker. His award-winning films The Pink Mirror, Yours Emotionally, and 68 Pages are at the forefront of India’s emergent queer cinema movement VIVEK ANAND – Executive Producer CEO of The Humsafar Trust and and currently manages 10 projects that include Interventions, research, advocacy and capacity building of MSM and Tg groups in the country. He is also been an Executive Producer on over 40 Ad films/ corporate films and Documentaries. He is also a writer of 11 Tele films and one feature. SUHAIL ABBASI – Creative Director Founder Trustee of The Humsafar Trust, he is also on the Advisory Board of BOMBAY DOST and a member of IRB (Institutional Review Board) of The Humsafar Trust. He is a creative professional with over 15 years of experience across films, television and print. He has headed the Creative Development and Programming Departments at with Sony Entertainment Television Network for 13 years.

 Docu drama approach  Story would be dramatized  Situations, events and locations would be real The counselor’s scenes will be in drama format. But the training, counseling, field visits, conference will be realistic.

 Advocacy + Entertainment  Engage audience + Communicate messages  Form + Content  Qualitative reach + Effective impact  Successful model + Low Cost Using a unique and successful model of ‘Advotainment’ films (developed by Sridhar Rangayan) which combines advocacy with entertainment

 Basics of counseling / interpersonal communication  Removing inhibitions on talking around sexual health  Self esteem / self confidence  Motivation  Dealing with aggressive / hostile clients  Dealing with frustration / stress  Assertiveness  Dealing with problems  Group communication  Using communication materials effectively  Team Building / Leadership  Behavior Change Communication concepts and their applications

 The main lead (Priya) will be played by a professional TV/theater actress (but not a popular face, as it will distract from the realitistic feel of the story and the educational information being given).  Some of the other main characters / counselees like the CSW, kothi, Tg, etc will be cast from people of these communities (selected through an audition).  Other characters will be cast from theater groups.

THANK YOU