Lights, Camera, Advocacy: Rare Disease Film Festival to Highlight Lived Experiences
The Inherited Retinal Disease (IRD) community, encompassing conditions like Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), and Usher syndrome, often navigates unique challenges and experiences. A new initiative, the 24/364 Rare Disease Film Festival (RDFF), aims to bring these and other rare disease stories to the forefront through the powerful medium of film, offering a significant platform for awareness and understanding. This event represents a valuable opportunity for those affected by IRDs to see their journeys reflected and shared with a wider audience, fostering connection and empathy within and beyond the community.
CG Life, a specialized pharma agency focusing on rare and hard-to-treat diseases, and its dedicated rare disease storytelling platform, 24/364, are launching this inaugural film festival. The 24/364 RDFF is scheduled to take place on March 12 and 13, 2027, in San Diego, California. The festival's core mission is to champion the stories of individuals within the rare disease community through film and storytelling.
The event will span two days, featuring a full day of screenings across two adjacent theaters, a panel discussion with jury members, award presentations, and other advocacy-focused programming. Jon Fitzgerald, Director of the 24/364 RDFF, stated that the goal is not only to recognize outstanding filmmaking but also to spark meaningful conversations and deeper understanding about resilience, caregiving, belonging, identity, and the realities of living with a rare disease. Erik Clausen, Managing Director of the Strategic Communications Group at CG Life, added that the festival is founded on the belief that