“Aa Muskuraa…”

The Humsafar TrustMumbai

9th October 2009

Project 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

Aa Muskuraa…

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.

Aa Muskuraa…Outline Priya, A middle class girl takes to counseling as a job option Lands her first job in an ICTC in a public hospitalMeets with Dr. Hema working with PLHA Exposure visit to Kamathipura ICTC Exposure visit to MSM / TG CBO – ICTCSupport from Dr. Hema on counseling skills Orientation programme on counseling skills Health Camps in rural settings and Home based counseling Meeting NavinImproved counseling skillsPresentation of a Paper

Agency 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.

Media Projects 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

Media Projects - IEC Materials

Media ProjectsProduction 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.

68 Pages

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.

68 Pages 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.

Agency Clients 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)

Creative Team 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 DirectorFounder 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.

Aa Muskuraa…Treatment 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.

Advotainment 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

Key PointsBasics 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

Actors 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.

Aa Muskuraa…

THANK YOU