NEWS

The spot on women’s cancers, created by director Maria Sole Tognazzi and based on the winning story from the 2016 edition, was presented and will be distributed in partner cinema circuits starting tomorrow through the end of October, breast cancer awareness month. Simultaneously, the second edition dedicated to multiple sclerosis begins, with finalists to be determined by a Popular Jury.
Rome, October 2017 – Building on the success of the first edition focused on women’s cancers, #afiancodelcoraggioreturns. The literary award, promoted by Roche, collects stories from men—fathers, husbands, partners, sons, brothers, friends, and colleagues—who every day support and accompany women fighting illness.

Witnesses and co-protagonists of long, difficult, and courageous journeys, many have shared their intimate and personal experiences. Among them is Fabio, whose story moved the jury in the first edition. His tale, using a tennis match played by his partner as a metaphor for illness, became the winning spot of the first edition of #afiancodelcoraggio. Directed by Maria Sole Tognazzi and narrated by her brother Gianmarco, the video was presented today at Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome. It will be distributed nationally starting tomorrow in partner cinema circuits (Circuito Cinema, Massimo Ferrero Cinemas, and UCI Cinemas) and on Mediaset thematic channels (La5, Iris, and Top Crime).

The second edition, launched during the same awards evening, focuses on multiple sclerosis, a stealthy and debilitating disease affecting 114,000 people in Italy, primarily women, and often young people between the ages of 20 and 40.

“Each year, we aim to raise awareness about a different illness—last year it was women’s cancers; this year it is multiple sclerosis,” commented Maurizio de Cicco, President and CEO of Roche Italia. “But we don’t just want to change the award’s theme; we want to change how we view illness. We are used to thinking of men who flee in the face of difficulty, which is often true. But many choose to stay and fight. This award is dedicated to them.
Multiple sclerosis is indeed a gendered disease (three out of four patients are women), but the role of men is fundamental. If we compare a cancer diagnosis to a tsunami that overwhelms the lives of those affected and their loved ones, multiple sclerosis is more like a rising tide—slow but unstoppable. What thoughts and emotions does a man experience when faced with this, and how does he navigate such a long and preordained path?”

The competition is open to all men who have experienced or are experiencing life alongside a woman facing multiple sclerosis. Submissions can be uploaded directly to the website www.afiancodelcoraggio.it from now until January 31, 2018.
New Feature: Popular Jury
This year introduces the Popular Jury, allowing users to vote for their favorite stories using a simple “like” system. The 10 stories with the most likes by March 16, 2018, will be submitted to the Independent Technical Jury, chaired once again by Dr. Gianni Letta and comprising representatives from:
Associations: Roberta Amadeo, Past President, AISM.
Cinema and Film Circuits: Marco Belardi (CEO, Lotus Production); Marco Costa (Director, Mediaset Thematic Networks); Carlo Rossella (President, Medusa Film).
Entertainment: Federica Pontremoli (screenwriter); Enrico Vanzina (director).
Radio: Claudio Guerrini (RDS).
Journalism and TV: Myrta Merlino (journalist); Giovanni Parapini (Director of Social Responsibility, Communications, External Relations, Institutional and International Relations, RAI).
Institutions: Mariapia Garavaglia.
The technical jury will select three finalists by April 30, 2018.
Prize
The winner’s story will be adapted into a social awareness spot, produced by Lotus Production, and screened in Italian cinemas in October 2018.

“I am particularly proud to chair this literary award for the second consecutive year,” said Gianni Letta, President of the Jury. “I am thrilled to see the list of organizations supporting the initiative grow with each edition. This is a tangible sign of society’s commitment to supporting women, regardless of the illnesses they face.”

Partners
The initiative’s protocol of understanding is supported by:
AISM – Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association
Circuito Cinema
Ferrero Cinemas
Fondazione Pubblicità Progresso
Friendz
Lotus Productions
Medusa Film
Mediaset
Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism (Lazio Museum Hub)
UCI Cinemas
Vidiemme

For More Information:
Roche Communication
Benedetta Nicastro: benedetta.nicastro@roche.com | +39 334 6407175

Chiara Loprieno: chiara.loprieno@roche.com | +39 348 8818732