Director's Works
Dear Pancreas Fariba Buchheim
Fariba was born and raised in the western part of Switzerland. She has Iranian, Polish German and French roots. She is a commercial and documentary film directress and has won numerous international awards with her films. Among others, she has won at the Clio's, New York Festivals, The Young Ones, Spotlight Festival, ANDYS and was nominated at the Porsche Awards. Her documentaries have been screened at international festivals, including the Hofer Filmtage and Cannes as part of the Next Generation Short Tiger 2019. In addition to her attention to details, is her ability of closeness to people and stories she tells. Authenticity, emotional narratives and strong storytelling is what make Fariba's work special. In her commercial work, she loves to find ways to connect brands with their consumers in a subtle but strong way. Thinking topics differently and designing new approaches are part of her signature. Fariba studied TV-Journalism at the Bavarian Academy of Television and Digital Media (BAF) and studies directing at the renowned University of Television and Film in Munich.
DEAR PANCREAS tells my story. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2018, and since then, my life has completely changed. Type 1 diabetes not only means that our pancreas doesn't produce life-sustaining insulin, but it also requires meticulous planning of our days. The psychological burden of an invisible illness and the limitations that come with it are experiences shared by many people with chronic (invisible) conditions. I quickly realized that there is hardly any representation of people with this disease, and if there is, it's usually only from a medical perspective. Worldwide, 9 million people are affected. With DEAR PANCREAS, I represent not only 'us', but also provide hope and courage, and raise awareness among outsiders on the topic. Many people who, like me, suffer from type 1 diabetes or another chronic condition were involved in my low-budget production - even in the cast. It's an inclusive production, and I'm proud of what we've achieved.
