What is STEPS for the Future?
The STEPS initiative marks a unique collaboration between international and Southern African filmmakers. The initiative has three main aims: To produce a collection of 40 documentaries and short films that examine the lives of people living in Southern Africa whose lives have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

To provide invaluable training to Southern African filmmakers with the support of some of the best filmmakers drawn from around the world.

To distribute the films to regional AIDS organisations for use in AIDS education and training.

Why was STEPS initiated?
The HIV/AIDS crisis presently facing Southern Africa is one of the world's greatest catastrophes. There is a huge demand by HIV/AIDS organisations - both regionally and internationally - for informative material that is both emotionally and intellectually stimulating, and aimed at changing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS and towards the epidemic itself. At the same time the creative potential and passion of young filmmakers in the region has largely been unexploited. They have been working in isolation without the resources to produce the calibre of films that they could have. STEPS provides a perfect vehicle to promote filmmaking in the region.

How did this initiative come together?
The past four years have seen increasing co-operation between Nordic and Southern African countries in the area of filmmaking. This led to the creation of a strong network between these filmmakers resulting in the birth of the STEPS initiative. The initiative was given further impetus when the Finnish government committed itself to the funding of the project.

How were the films selected?
The selection of the films to be produced took six months. Participation in STEPS for the Future was open to all filmmakers in the region and drew hundreds of proposals from filmmakers throughout the region. The proposals were further developed during several workshops and discussion sessions before an international panel of professionals and HIV specialists gathered to select the successful films.

What kind of films are these?
The films form a truly unique collection that offers an innovative alternative to the usual educational video and TV programmes aimed at international audiences. They focus instead on individual human stories, told in a deeply touching manner that appeal to basic human emotions regardless of the viewer's background. The films promote a better understanding of the many ways that HIV/AIDS is affecting the lives of people in the region instead of simply presenting the usual picture of death and disaster. These stories portray people living with HIV/AIDS as real people who despite their struggles recognise that being HIV positive is not a death sentence and that Life is a Beautiful Thing.

The STEPS collection comprises everything from 52-minute documentaries to music videos, animation for children to experimental short films. Some are deeply touching, some very funny, some are provocative while others are beautiful and hard-hitting.

Who are the directors?
From the outset it was clear that these films had to be made by filmmakers from the region. The directors have been drawn from a number of Southern African countries including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola and Lesotho. Some are first-time filmmakers while others are well known.

What was the role of the professional supporters?
The role of the professional supporters was to assist the directors and offer professional advice without taking over the role of the director. Specific professional supporters were assigned to each stage of the production and provided support from one to two weeks.

How have the films been used regionally and internationally?
Regionally the films have been broadcast by the South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC Africa to Africa and Mozambican TV. The films will be versioned into different languages such as isiZulu, Sesotho, Shona and Shangaan. A significant portion of the budget will go towards distribution of the films through mobile cinema and training 50 members of the Southern African Network of Aids Service Organisations (SANASO) on how to use the films in their work. The films will be shown in schools, churches, mine hostels, townships and villages. The films were scheduled for broadcast regionally and Internationally to coincide with international AIDS Day on December 1. Amongst the 20 international broadcasters from Europe, Australia and North America who committed to transmitting the STEPS films, German-French channel Arte transmitted 6 hours of the films while RTBF in Belgium and Denmark’s TV2 had theme evenings surrounding the films. The BBC screened 3 hours of STEPS films and in Finland and Norway massive fundraising drives were carried out.

How was STEPS funded?
The project has received funding from three main sources: The governments of Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands who are supporting the whole project including training aspects, production and distribution.

International Broadcasters
Various funders including the Soros Foundation, Danish and Finnish Film Institutes, One World Group of Broadcasters and Nokia, which is supporting the training of young filmmakers .

Is this a one-off project or will STEPS continue in the future?
STEPS (Social Transformation and Empowerment Projects) is a non-profit association registered in South Africa. The rights to all the films belong to the association and any possible income will be used for distribution, training of filmmakers and new media projects in the region.