Launched as part of a virtual arts event, Suman’s Story tells the moving story of a young girl who was finally diagnosed with leprosy after it had badly damaged the nerves in her legs.
I worked with The Leprosy Mission Trust India to create this engaging animated film of Sumans Story for their campaign for World Leprosy Day 2021.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many charities were unable to visit projects overseas, so The Leprosy Mission Trust India were looking for a unique way to tell Suman’s Story.
Their campaign aimed to tackle the disability that people affected by leprosy often face when leprosy is left untreated. The beauty of animation enabled us to tell Suman’s story of leprosy diagnosis and disability. Whilst these are hard subjects, the strength of the project was in the dignity and anonymity we were able to provide Suman through the animation.
The film was premiered at BreakFreeLeprosy: A Virtual Event that united researchers, story-tellers, singers, and people affected by leprosy for a common cause: https://www.facebook.com/tlmindia/videos/862846691160089
In 2021 Suman’s Story won the Outstanding Achievement Award for Animation and Best Film on Disability Issue at the Calcutta International Cult Film Festival and was a Semi-Finalist at the London International Web and Short Film Festival.
Lizzy Standbrook 