Airlines to show film for AIDS Day

“Beat the Drum,” a 2003 film depicting the effect of AIDS on African children, will air today on 40,000 flights on 34 airlines to coincide with World AIDS Day.

The screenings will raise $300,000 for African charities, said Bill Grant, president of Entertainment in Motion.

The company licensed the film to American, Delta, United, British Airways, Lufthansa and Air Canada, among other airlines. A portion of the licensing fee will be donated to the charities.

The movie tells the story of an orphan boy who sets out for Johannesburg with his father’s last gift, a tribal drum.

Grant called the film “heartfelt and uplifting,” and said in a statement that it inspired a “personal desire to help the over 12 million orphans in Africa.”