This initiative uses the medium of film to help communicate the real-life stories of people experiencing a disease, thereby hopefully humanising their struggles and helping to combat the stigma and discrimination that can come from a lack of empathy and understanding. Each of the 4 people - 2 women and 2 men - profiled in this documentary represents a different mode of HIV transmission. They openly share their strategies for coping with AIDS-related social stigma, rigourous treatment regimen, and related health problems. While sharing these struggles, the participants' voices also intend to communicate that it is possible to live a productive and positive life even if you are HIV-positive.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are being used to bring the film to a broader, more global audience. One may view the trailer by clicking here (or order a free copy, here). In addition, after one full year of dissemination, a contest was held to find the "best" use of the film. The thousands of recipients of the film were invited via email to visit the HIV Positive Voices website and to click on a link that existed then ("Impact Evaluation"). The US$250 prize was awarded to Chen Yaohong of China, who translated the film into Chinese and reported that viewers there drew profound inspiration from it.

HIV/AIDS.

In the United States, Baltimore ranks third in reported AIDS cases per 100,000 population.

Since "HIV Positive Voices" premiered in December 2003, thousands of copies have been requested from over 68 countries around the world. It has been viewed by diverse groups ranging from Ghanaian church youth groups to the US President's Council on HIV and AIDS.