'LIFE FOR A CHILD' Diabetes Documentary Accepted Into Competition at New York's Prestigious Tribeca Film Festival

'LIFE FOR A CHILD' Diabetes Documentary Accepted Into Competition at New York's Prestigious Tribeca Film Festival

Directed by Academy Award nominee Edward Lachman and produced by the International Diabetes Federation and Lilly, documentary follows the journeys of children with diabetes in the developing world

NEW YORK, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The documentary film LIFE FOR A CHILD, produced by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Eli Lilly and Company to raise awareness of the devastating impact of diabetes in the developing world, has been selected to compete for the honor of Best Short Documentary at the prestigious 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, April 23-May 4 in New York.

Directed by Academy Award nominee Edward Lachman, the film follows the journeys of children with type 1 diabetes amid the verdant mountains and swarming streets of Nepal, one the world's poorest countries. The children are supported with life-saving medication and care by IDF's Life for a Child Program.

The LIFE FOR A CHILD film was developed by IDF, the world's leading diabetes advocacy organization, and Lilly, a global leader in diabetes treatment, and is a production of Wayne Lachman Productions and doublewide media of New York. It will be presented in association with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the world's largest charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research.

The film will show in six public screenings during the Tribeca festival, beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, at the AMC Village VII, 66 Third Avenue (at 11th Street), New York. All public screening times are listed below.

One of the world's most celebrated cinematographers, Lachman directed LIFE FOR A CHILD following work on the critically-acclaimed 2007 feature film I'M NOT THERE, starring Cate Blanchett and Heath Ledger. Lachman was nominated for an Oscar for cinematography in 2003 for FAR FROM HEAVEN with Julianne Moore, and has photographed dozens of studio and independent features and documentaries, including ERIN BROCKOVICH, A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION and a historic documentary on Mother Teresa.

LIFE FOR A CHILD was filmed in October 2007 in bustling Kathmandu and the rugged mountainous Sindhuli region of Nepal, following the stories of three children and the sacrifices of their families:

-- 11-year old Anupa, who, once each month, walks four hours through
treacherous mountain passes simply to reach the bus that will take her
to the diabetes clinic in the capital city of Kathmandu for treatment
and blood sugar testing
-- 16-year old Ashok, who dreams of becoming a teacher but struggles to
balance his studies and work in the fields with insulin treatment
-- 3-year old Angi, diagnosed with diabetes at just 18 months old, whose
family moved to the city to stay close to the hospital, the only place
they can receive care. "Our son is most important thing in the world to
us," says his mother.

The film supports the landmark 2006 UN Resolution on Diabetes, which for the first time recognizes a non-infectious disease as serious a global health threat as infectious epidemics such as HIV/AIDS.

"This LIFE FOR A CHILD film is a testament to our belief that all children have the right to participate fully in all the experiences of childhood and adolescence, whether they have a chronic disease such as diabetes or not, and wherever they live in the world. All children with diabetes have the right to at least a minimum standard that can ensure survival," said Dr. Martin Silink, President of the International Diabetes Federation. "Until the healthcare systems of many developing countries are able to put in place effective systems to ensure an affordable supply of diabetes medication and care, children with diabetes will continue to die without the support of initiatives like IDF's Life for a Child Program."

"As the world's largest charitable funder and advocate of research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes, we at JDRF believe that anything that calls attention to the need for a cure for this disease and its complications is always welcomed. When that message can be conveyed with the amazing emotion, drama, and power of LIFE FOR A CHILD, it is hard, if not impossible, to ignore," said William Ahearn, vice president of strategic communications for JDRF. "Projects like LIFE FOR A CHILD not only tell the story of the devastating effects of type 1 diabetes, they show how personal the impact of a cure will be -- and how the hope for a cure is indeed global. We are thrilled to be associated with this project."

Entering its eighth year, the Tribeca Film Festival is considered one of the most prestigious festivals in the film industry. Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff founded the Festival in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan through an annual celebration of film, music and culture. The Festival's mission focuses on assisting filmmakers to reach the broadest possible audience, enabling the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promoting New York City as a major filmmaking center. For more information on the Festival, visit www.tribecafilmfestival.org

"We're honored and humbled that this film has been accepted to compete with some of the finest new short documentaries in the world," said Dr. Kathleen Wishner, Senior Medical Director, Advocacy and Professional Relations, Eli Lilly and Company. "Under the masterful direction of Ed Lachman, LIFE FOR A CHILD is a powerful film that shows audiences how challenging the journey of diabetes can be in the developing world -- and the hope that IDF's Life for a Child program brings to families by providing access to vital medicines and diabetes care. We hope this film will not only raise awareness of these issues, but increase support for the program."

Public Screening Schedule - Tribeca "All Truisms" Program:

-- Thursday, April 24, 4:00 pm, AV7-05
AMC Village VII, 66 Third Avenue (at 11th Street), New York
-- Saturday, April 26, 12:00 pm, AV7-04
AMC Village VII, 66 Third Avenue (at 11th Street), New York
-- Tuesday, April 29, 7:30 pm, A19-01
AMC 19th Street East, 890 Broadway (at 19th Street), New York
-- Thursday, May 1, 5:00 pm, VEC-06
Village East Cinemas, 181 Second Avenue (at 12th Street), New York
-- Sunday, May 4, 1:00 pm, VEC-05
Village East Cinemas, 181 Second Avenue (at 12th Street), New York

About the Life for a Child Program

Inspiring the documentary is the Life for a Child Program, which provides access to care, education and life-saving medicines and supplies to support children with diabetes in 17 of the poorest countries around the world, including Nepal. The program was established by the International Diabetes Federation in partnership with Diabetes Australia-NSW and HOPE worldwide. Eli Lilly and Company, Rotary International and other sponsors, including individual donors, provide financial support.

The program provides support to children with diabetes in Azerbaijan, Bolivia, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Fiji, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Mali, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.

For more information: www.lifeforachild.org

About the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

Founded in 1950, the International Diabetes Federation is the global advocate for the 250 million people with diabetes worldwide. It represents over 200 diabetes associations in more than 160 countries. Its mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. The main aims of IDF are to: raise awareness of diabetes and its complications worldwide; promote diabetes education; influence and bring about change; act as global advocate for people with diabetes; promote and improve diabetes care; improve clinical care and access to medication. The International Diabetes Federation is an NGO in official relations with the World Health Organization and an associated NGO with the United Nations Department of Public Information. The International Diabetes Federation leads the World Diabetes Day campaign. Additional information is available at www.idf.org.

About the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

JDRF was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with type 1 diabetes -- a disease that strikes children, adolescents, and adults suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since inception, JDRF has provided more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research worldwide. More than 85 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education. JDRF's mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more information please visit www.jdrf.org.

About Lilly Diabetes

Through a long-standing commitment to diabetes care, Lilly provides patients with breakthrough treatments that enable them to live longer, healthier and fuller lives. Since 1923, Lilly has been the industry leader in pioneering therapies to help health care professionals improve the lives of people with diabetes, and research continues on innovative medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

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Source: Eli Lilly and Company; International Diabetes Federation

CONTACT: Kerrita McClaughlyn, IDF, office +32-2-5431639, mobile
+32-487-530 625, US mobile +1-917-566-8261, media@idf.org; or Leslie Schwartz,
JDRF, office +1-212-479-7553, mobile +1-202-731-0761, lschwartz@jdrf.org; or
J. Scott MacGregor, Lilly, office +1-317-651-1494, mobile +1-317-440-4699,
macgregorj@lilly.com; or Don Faller, doublewide media, +1-212-477-4679,
don@doublewidemedia.com

Web site:

http://www.lilly.com/
http://www.lillydiabetes.com/
http://www.idf.org/
http://www.lifeforachild.org/
http://www.jdrf.org/
http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/

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