Chiesi Hellas

Chiesi Hellas undertakes initiatives aiming to raise public awareness about rare diseases, to empower patients, and to amplify their voice, in an effort to holistically improve their quality of life. The company’s initiative "Rare Land" seeks to portray the reality and challenges encountered by patients with rare diseases throughout their journey in healthcare, το raise awareness via a short film. From the moment of diagnosis to treatment, the film highlights issues such as social stigma, the physical and psychological challenges patients endure, and the difficulties they face in accessing innovative treatments.

The purpose of the initiative is not only to shed light on the issue, but also to convey a message of hope: that through collaboration and investment in innovation, meaningful solutions are being pursued to effectively meet the unmet needs of patients.

The film is now publicly available through Chiesi Hellas’ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb7y-U8HkSo&t=72s, and is dedicated to all those living with a rare disease, their families, caregivers, and Patient Associations. However, the film's reach is broad and addresses all stakeholders involved in the “journey” of a rare disease patient — including the state, the scientific and academic communities, healthcare institutions, decision-making bodies in health and pharmaceuticals, regulatory authorities, and more.

At the same time, it is relevant for the general public —everyone interested in raising awareness about rare diseases. Through art, the film brings important issues to the forefront and aspires to serve as a springboard for action and collaboration among all stakeholders.

This initiative began in 2023 and peaked in 2025 in Greece with the official screening of the film. The film’s link remains active and publicly accessible.

The short film “Rare Land” (2023) is an emotional journey from darkness into the light, directed by Mr. Efthymis Chatzis, Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and produced with the support of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases. A key figure in the film’s creation was Mr. Stavros G. Theodorakis, President and General Manager of Chiesi Hellas, who originated the core idea for the project.

In 38 minutes, viewers follow the everyday life of a young boy, Alexandros, in a coastal town in Greece. While riding his bicycle dangerously close to the edge of the pier, Alexandros experiences a strange bout of dizziness and falls into the sea. He has felt this way before, but the episodes are now becoming more frequent. His parents take him from doctor to doctor, desperately trying to understand what is happening to their child. They feel frustrated and helpless.

One day, an American doctor working in Greece diagnoses Alexandros with a rare disease — Alpha-Mannosidosis. The family is devastated. The doctor identifies an innovative new treatment that could help the child, but the cost is prohibitive. He pleads with the local hospital to bring this rare medicine to Greece for the first time. As Alexandros’s condition deteriorates further, losing motor functions, his mother hides him in their garden, unable to cope with the reality of her child’s illness.

Will Alexandros ever receive the treatment he needs?
Is a child’s life worth the high cost of such a rare medicine?   

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Chiesi Hellas held a multistakeholder event for the first official screening of the film “Rare Land – An emotional journey from darkness into light” in Greece, at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in Athens. The event was held on the occasion of Rare Disease Day and was attended by representatives from patient organizations, the scientific community, health journalists, and institutional stakeholders. The auditorium was packed with 130 attendees.

The event took place under the auspices of the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE), the Rare Diseases Greece Association (ESAE), the patient organization “95” – Greek Alliance for Rare Patients, and the Panhellenic Association of Patients & Friends “Solidarity”.

Following the film screening, a roundtable discussion on rare diseases in Greece took place, featuring:

• Ms. Fofo Kalyva, General Secretary of Public Health, Ministry of Health
• Ms. Mary Adamopoulou, President of the “95” Association – Greek Alliance for Rare Diseases
• Mr. Dimitris Athanasiou, Rare Diseases Greece Vice Chair, European Medicines Agency PCWP Member, World Duchenne Organization Board Member, Greek Patients Association Board Member, "95" Rare Alliance Greece Board Member
• Mr.  Georgios Tsivgoulis, Professor of Neurology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Director of the 2nd Neurology Clinic, Attikon Hospital
• The film's director, Mr. Efthymis Chatzis

The event was welcomed by Mr. Stavros G. Theodorakis, President and General Manager of Chiesi Hellas, as well as Mr. Michalis Heimonas, General Manager of SFEE.

The contribution of all employees of the Greek affiliate was significant, as they became ambassadors of the film’s message of awareness and hope. The film was also promoted by Chiesi’s headquarters and by affiliates in other countries through dedicated events targeting both internal and external audiences.

It is also worth noting that employees of Chiesi Hellas participated voluntarily, taking on small roles in the film.            

The official presentation of the film “Rare Land” in Greece took place at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in Athens, in February 2025. However, the film “Rare Land” (2023) is available online to everyone through the official YouTube channel of Chiesi Hellas, and as previously mentioned, it has travelled to many different destinations around the world.

The impact of the film in raising awareness about Rare Diseases has been significant and multifaceted — a fact demonstrated by the many important milestones it has reached worldwide since its creation. As a result, public dialogue on the topic has been strengthened.

For this reason, Chiesi Hellas, in collaboration with the film’s director Mr. Efthymis Chatzis, created in 2025 a four-minute follow-up video, available at the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePEDaUHon88, where the film’s young protagonist — now grown — speaks about the journey and recognitions the film has received. Some highlights include:

• European Parliament, Brussels
• Cannes Film Festival, France
• Tuschinski Theatre, Amsterdam
• European Cinematography Awards, cawards.org
• Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA, June 2023)
• Latitude Festival, London
• Bluebird Festival, India
• Venice Short Film Festival

It is also worth mentioning that the organization “95” – The Greek Alliance for Rare Patients actively uses the film to raise awareness about Rare Diseases through targeted screenings, such as for its members and university students.

The benefits for Chiesi Hellas are aligned with the benefits for patients, as the company’s primary goal was to raise awareness and provide information about Rare Diseases. At the same time, the initiative publicly showcased the company’s deep and ongoing commitment to working in this specific therapeutic area.

A clear example of the impact is the media coverage metrics following the press release issued after the film’s launch event in Athens and the roundtable discussion among all relevant stakeholders:

• Radio: 1
• Print media: 6
• Newsletters: 7
• Websites: 55
• Portals: 5
• Social media (excluding Chiesi channels): 31