On September 9, 2025, the Dutch Global Health Film Festival back with an evening at the Louis Hartlooper Complex in Utrecht entirely dedicated to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). During this edition, 35 participants gathered for a screening of the documentary Silent Pandemic (2022, directed by Michael Welch), followed by a panel discussion and informal exchange.
The film took the audience into the global fight against drug-resistant bacteria. Through penetrating stories and expert insights, it revealed how antibiotic resistance is quietly developing into a structural threat to healthcare systems worldwide. Among other things, the documentary highlighted the growing ‘antibiotic gap’: bacteria develop resistance faster than new antibiotics become available. This has far-reaching implications for surgery, oncology and infectious disease care, among others.
After the screening, a panel of experts reflected on how to slow down resistance and ensure access to effective drugs. Claudia Duarte (Research Coordinator AMR Programme, Access to Medicine Foundation) discussed the role of pharmaceutical companies and the importance of responsible antibiotic use and fair access. Kristina Orrling, PhD (Global Health Team Lead & Senior Partnership Director, Lygature) shared her experience of international R&D collaborations aimed at developing new antibiotics against resistant bacteria.
The conversation was moderated by Fatema Rafiqi, global health adviser and former head of the AMR programme at the Access to Medicine Foundation. She placed the discussion in a broader policy and equity context and stressed the importance of collaboration across borders and disciplines.
The subsequent discussion with the audience reflected on the urgency of AMR as a global health threat - referred to by the WHO as a ‘silent pandemic’ for good reason. The evening ended with drinks in the café of the Louis Hartlooper Complex, where participants continued the dialogue.
This edition of the film festival made it clear that AMR is not a future scenario but a current reality that calls for concerted action, innovative financing models and continued attention to equitable access to care and medicines worldwide.
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