Documentary film earns film festival recognition

Film named a finalist at Cinehealth Festival in September; will be screened at Awareness Film Festival in October

Baltimore, MD

Compromised: Life Without Immunity, a documentary produced by the Immune Deficiency Foundation, has received recognition and accolades at a pair of national film festivals on both coasts.

Last month, Compromised was selected as a finalist at the 3rd Annual Cinehealth International Health and Wellness Film and Video Festival at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. The documentary was among 20 films selected from over 500 entries from 57 countries across the world. Cinehealth aims to bring communities together through patient and healthcare professional engagement using innovative storytelling across video, film, TV, and audio.

Building on that success, Compromised will appear at the 16th annual Awareness Film Festival, scheduled for October 21-26 in Santa Monica, CA. The Compromised screening is scheduled for Saturday, October 25th at 6:00 pm at the Illusion Magic Lounge. The Awareness Film Festival unites independent filmmakers from around the globe to raise awareness and inspire change through immersive film and media presentations, filmmaker panels, and community partnerships.

"The recognition that Compromised is receiving at these respected film festivals is truly an honor, but the real victory is the focus on the human stories at the heart of primary immunodeficiency,” says Jorey Berry, President & CEO. “This film embodies our mission at the Immune Deficiency Foundation by using the power of storytelling to educate the public, raise critical awareness, and celebrate the incredible resilience of the PI community. Every screening is a step toward better diagnosis and a higher quality of life for those living with these rare diseases."

Created by filmmaker Zachary Moore, Compromised is a feature-length documentary film that offers an intimate look into the world of those living with primary immunodeficiencies. The film follows the inspiring journeys of individuals who face life-threatening challenges daily yet refuse to let their conditions define them.

The film features the theme song “Carry On” by Ironmouse, who also serves as an executive producer of the film.

In the film, patients and families share their struggles and triumphs, while medical experts offer insight into the fight against these rare diseases. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, Compromised reveals the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit and the urgent need for greater awareness and support in the medical community. 

About primary immunodeficiency

Primary immunodeficiencies (PIs), also known as inborn errors of immunity (IEI), are a group of more than 550 rare, chronic conditions in which part of the body's immune system is missing or does not function correctly. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are approximately 500,000 individuals in the U.S. with a PI. These conditions are caused by hereditary genetic defects and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. PI can cause infection, malignancy (cancer), allergy, autoimmunity, autoinflammation, or any simultaneous combination of these issues. 

About the Immune Deficiency Foundation

The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) is the largest primary immunodeficiency (PI) patient advocacy group in the United States, with 44 years of expertise in primary immunodeficiency. As such, we take pride in helping to connect, engage, and empower families to live longer, stronger, healthier lives. Whether you are looking for subject matter experts on PI (clinicians or patients), information about an upcoming event, or a statement from the organization on a particular topic, we can offer guidance and resources in a variety of areas, including:

• Stories of rare, chronic, or invisible illness.
• Insurance access challenges.
• Plasma supply (and plasma-derived therapies).
• Issues related to the immunocompromised.
• The importance of newborn screening (particularly related to SCID).
• Genetic and inherited conditions.
• General healthcare or nonprofit topics.
• Difficult/long journeys to diagnosis.