In recognition of Psoriatic Arthritis Action Month, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), in collaboration with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, has premiered the Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Awareness Project. The PsA Awareness Project is a set of patient films that highlight the importance of treating PsA and receiving optimal care. Patients featured in the films were nominated and selected by the PsA community. Film ideas were generated with the help of Tongal—a global creator network of filmmakers, including writers, directors, and producers. A panel of judges from the PsA community chose the winning creative concepts and filmmakers for the project.

The films, as well as behind the scenes footage and film trailers, are available for viewing on the NPF website.

The films feature stories from Jennifer Pellegrin and Shirley Wallace, uncovering details of their PsA diagnosis and how they live their lives despite having the disease. Throughout the creative process of choosing, planning and shooting the films, the aim was to take an innovative and intimate approach that would bring these stories to life and resonate with others living with psoriatic arthritis.

“We are excited to release these films during Psoriatic Arthritis Action Month, as the theme is ‘Live, Work, and Play with PsA,” said Leah Howard, JD, chief operating officer, NPF. “There is no better way to drive awareness and support others living with PsA than to work with the psoriatic disease community and share stories that create real connections among those living with PsA.”

The project launched in May 2017 with a call for patient stories on the Tongal platform. Of the 27 unique stories received, four finalists were selected and voted on by the PsA community. With almost 400 votes received, Shirley and Jennifer became the faces of the PsA Awareness Project. Following the selection of the patients, the Tongal creative community delivered 27 pitch ideas, from which a panel of five judges comprised of a rheumatologist, a dermatologist, a nurse practitioner and two people living with PsA, selected two filmmaker teams. Finalists include McCoy | Meyer (film featuring Jennifer Pellegrin) and LampLit Productions (the film featuring Shirley Wallace).

More information about psoriatic arthritis is on the NPF website.