This is the story about Steve Sjöquist - writer, HIV activist and deacon at Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset in Stockholm. Steve was diagnosed with HIV in 1987 and he was one of the first Swedish AIDS patients to get the new antiretroviral therapy in 1996. It saved his life.

Staffan Hildebrand returns to Australia, where he started his project of documenting the AIDS epidemic in 1988, and to Cambodia where he first arrived in 1998. He interviews some of the scientists and activists who he met back then and displays some footage from the archive.

Interviews with young HIV and AIDS activists from Cambodia, Mexico, Sweden, South Africa, and the United States, on youth, HIV and AIDS.

XIX International AIDS Conference. Red Ribbon award with UNAIDS Director Michel Sidibé, Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit, Myanmar stateswoman Aung San Suu Kyi, US politician Jim McDermott, French minister Marisol Touraine and award winners.

XIX International AIDS Conference. Panel discussion on youth HIV/AIDS activism focusing on stigma and discrimination, internet and social media in the HIV/AIDS response and how to influence political leaders and older generations to take action.

XIX International AIDS Conference opening ceremony. Speeches by the Elizabeth Taylor award winners of 2012, political and religious leaders, leaders of international agencies such as UNAIDS, IAS, The Global Fund, The World Bank and UN, and many other delegates.

Closing session of the XIX International AIDS Conference with speakers such as Bill Clinton, the two co-chairs of the conference Elly Katabira and Diane Havlir, US politician Nancy Pelosi, Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, and many activists and community leaders.

Staffan Hildebrand looks back on his 25 years of documenting the HIV and AIDS epidemic for the Face of AIDS Film Archive. The film portrays a shift from pessimism towards a growing optimism in the response to HIV and AIDS.

Interview with the Scottish Singer and AIDS activist Annie Lennox in Mexico City. She talks about her activism and the situation of poverty, violence, gender inequality and human rights violations connected with HIV/AIDS.

Interview with the Scottish Singer and AIDS activist Annie Lennox in Mexico City. She talks about her activism and the situation of poverty, violence, gender inequality and human rights violations connected with HIV/AIDS.

Cutaways from a demonstration against homophobia in Mexico City in connection with the International AIDS Conference. Interviews with Swedish HIV/AIDS activist Jan Nola Morfeldt among others.

This film tells the US story of the AIDS epidemic starting in the early 1980's. Scientists and activists, both pioneers and youths of today, talk about research, prevention, treatment and care. They also discuss stigma, homophobia and poverty as closely related to HIV and AIDS.