Within the framework of the second edition of the T Contest
His work The Sun Always Comes has been recognized with the award for Best Short Film in this initiative promoted by the Spanish Association of People Affected by Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia (AEAL), the Portuguese Association against Leukemia (APCL) and the Piel Sana-AEDV Foundation together with Kyowa Kirin.
Through testimonies and experiences, the initiative seeks to make visible the emotional, social and physical impact of this disease, which can lead to social isolation, anxiety and various skin manifestations.
Tenerife, October 1, 2026.- On the occasion of World Lymphoma Day, the Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia Association (AEAL), the Portuguese Association against Leukemia (APCL) and the Piel Sana-AEDV Foundation of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, together with Kyowa Kirin, have held the second edition of the T Contest. This initiative aims to make visible, through the photography and short films, the impact of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL), a type of cancer included within the so-called non-Hodgkin lymphomas that mainly affect the skin.
Among the award-winning works, the one by the Tenerife author Jonathan García stands out, whose short film titled The Sun Always Rises has won the award for Best Short Film inspired by a personal experience. The work reflects the process of accompaniment, the impact on the family and the search to give visibility and normalize coexistence with the disease.
In the words of García "the Sun always rises is necessary for all those people who are, or have gone through a similar situation. Having received this recognition means for me to be able to continue giving life to stories that have not yet been told."
"CTCL are rare diseases that, despite being little known, have a significant impact on the lives of patients. Therefore, this initiative offers a unique opportunity to bring society closer to the reality of those who live with CTCL, highlighting not only the physical manifestations of the disease, but also its impact on mental health," details Dr. Mercedes Morillo, dermatologist specialized in cutaneous lymphomas at the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital in Seville.
Along these lines, the T Contest was born with the objective of raising awareness about the reality of people who live with a cancer that impacts both the skin and emotional well-being. Through photography and video, the initiative encourages participants to put themselves in the shoes of patients and caregivers to capture emotions, experiences and experiences associated with a disease that can cause social isolation, anxiety and various skin manifestations.
"Living with cancer transforms many aspects of daily life, both for the patient and their environment. In the case of CTCL, in addition, the visible involvement of the skin can generate an added impact on the patients' self-esteem. Thus, giving voice to these experiences is essential to increase awareness about the disease, which is why we appreciate the support of Kyowa Kirin and the involvement of all the people who have shared their vision and experience," comments Marcos Martínez, manager of the Spanish Association of Affected by Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia (AEAL).
A gala to put a face to a rare disease
The jury for these awards was made up of the film director and Academic of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences, Ander Duque; Dr. Mercedes Morillo, dermatologist specialized in cutaneous lymphomas at the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital in Seville; Marcos Martínez, manager of the Spanish Group of Cancer Patients (GEPAC); Laura Cunha, director of the Portuguese Association against Leukemia; and Claudia Coscia, Cluster General Manager Southern Europe at Kyowa Kirin.
As part of the jury, Lara Cunha, director of the Portuguese Association against Leukemia (APCL), highlights that "awarding works that reflect the experience of patients also means recognizing the value of awareness and visibility of CTCL. Therefore, we believe that initiatives like this are essential to publicize the impact of the disease and promote greater understanding of the challenges faced by those living with this disease."
Prizes have been awarded to the following categories:
- Best short film, The sun always rises, by Jonathan García (financial award €2,000)
- Best photography, El alma al aire, by Esperanza Labrador (financial award €1,000)
- Audience Award, Marcas, by Inés Ventura (financial award €500)
"The award-winning works demonstrate the power of stories to bring society closer to the reality of people who live with CTCL. At Kyowa Kirin we maintain our commitment to continue collaborating with patient associations and scientific societies to promote greater visibility of this disease, promote its knowledge and help those who live with it feel increasingly more understood and supported," concludes Ángela González, Southern Cluster Corporate Affairs & Patient Partnership Director.
About the LCCT
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare, sometimes severe and life-threatening form of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. It can affect the blood, lymph nodes and viscera, appearing mainly on the skin. CTCL accounts for about 4% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases and up to 80% of all primary cutaneous lymphomas. It affects around 240 people per million in Europe. Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Sézary Syndrome (SS), two of the most prominent subtypes of CTCL, represent approximately 60% and 5% of cases respectively.
