Documentary Australia

Sticks and Stones

Sometime names can hurt us

$2,880

FUNDS RAISED OF $335,000
  • 29

    SUPPORTERS

Synopsis

If you are HIV positive, Australia is a pretty wonderful place to be. The current government has just confirmed a commitment to the elimination of HIV within Australia by 2030

There is no doubt the advances in medical science have changed the lives of many for the better.

So life must be pretty good for those living here right?

Unfortunately that’s not the full story.

When people flinch at the news of someone’s status, get frightened to use a toilet, get discrimination at work, from partners, families, on dating apps…what is the long term result?

The emotional challenges of being HIV now seem to outweigh the physical?

So what is being done in regard to addressing the stigma faced by persons with HIV everyday?

This documentary aims to illustrate the damage that stigma does to the mental and physical well being of millions of people around the world. To examine the misinformation and lack of education fuelling stigma in the greater community, by debunking myths and stereotypes. We will investigate and participate in the latest psychology aiming to install a greater sense of empowerment, building belief and changing mindset when dealing with stigma.

What are people doing to end stigma?
What can be done to change community attitudes ? and
What can be done to enable those with HIV to change their mindset for the better?

Clint Dowdell will be asking these questions. As a gay man living with HiV he has experienced first hand the stigma that comes with living a positive life.

Clint will interview a diverse cohort within the HIV community for us to hear the individual and universal complexities each person faces. And to share learnings from professionals to best overcome the negativity associated with it.

The documentary is one of discovery, development and hopefully transformation.

Director

Mark Harrison

Producer

Brent Masters

Story

The story focuses on participant Clint Dowdell’s experience living with HIV and the stigma that comes with that.

Clint is on a mission to educate and inform!

Clint intends to develop, define and dissolve the complexities they currently face and will provide the audience with a roadmap and a better understanding of the lives and anguish currently experienced by HIV individuals and those more generally that experience stigma around the world.

We will hear from international acclaimed experts including: Prof Sharon Lewin (The Peter Doherty Institute), Dr Chris Groot, (The University of Melbourne), Prof Carla Treloar, (University of NSW), and a diverse range of HIV sector health professionals and form a diverse range of people living with HIV.

Production Stage

  1. Development
  2. Production
  3. Post-production
  4. Completed
  5. Outreach

DURATION: 90 MINUTES


Issue area

HEALTH & WELLBEING

HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE

YOUTH & EDUCATION

CONTACT FILM TEAM

Support this project

0.86% funded
  • $335,000

    FUNDING GOAL
  • $2,880

    FUNDS RAISED
  • 1st June 2026

    PROJECT ENDS
  • 29

    SUPPORTERS
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Documentary Australia is Australia’s only not-for-profit that fosters social change through documentary storytelling.

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SWEET RELEASE AGENCY
$50
Bill Biggs
$100
Pure Harmony Music & Events
$100
Anonymous
$50
Chloe Lee
$100
Maui Valdes
$200
Jessie DeBono
$100
Carlo Marasea
$100
Naomi ODonell
$100
Tom Anastasios STYLLI
$100
Andrew Benoiton
$100
Vinushi Wickramaratne
$50
Francis Hallett
$50
Lisa Grech
$50
Clara Nguyen
$100
VIDACORP
$100
Nat Belbin
$100
STEWART KELLETT
$300
Julianne Gigney
$100
Janelle Buick1
$100
Colin Armstrong
$200
Serena Chin
$100
Scott Joseph
$150
Stephanie Tasiopoulos
$50
Michelle Mcpherson
$50
Elizabeth Monaghan
$100
Ross Andrewartha
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Blake Leeman
$50
Val Issa
$30

Other Confirmed Support


Corporate
$20000
Confirmed funders
NBS Productions, Brent Masters

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