reported by Nicholas Scott, CyberScreenwriter.com

Rain Bird Corporation, a leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, is giving all filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their talents while bringing about a greater knowledge and awareness of the need for water conservation in the face of a water crisis of global proportions. The Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition seeks short films (1-20 minutes in actual or excerpted run time) that focus on the topic of water conservation. Narrative, documentary, animated, experimental and/or student-made productions should explore approaches and ideas to intelligently manage and efficiently utilize the Earth's most precious resource.

Filmmakers who submit their short film (in English) on DVD/VHS or electronically via the competition website http://www.iuowfilm.com/, will have their films reviewed by a panel of judges with academic, professional, industrial or governmental expertise in film and/or water conservation. Finalists will be selected and invited to a screening event on September 30, 2007, in Los Angeles at the LA Arboretum, where the winners will be announced and awarded cash prizes of $6,000 for judges' selection and $3,000 for audience's pick.

"Films such as Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, demonstrate the powerful influence that the film medium has on affecting positive change among the public," said Dave Johnson, Rain Bird's Corporate Marketing Director. "In light of the great impact that scarcity and mismanagement of water will have on the whole world, providing forums such as The Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition enables people to actively exercise their influence and raise awareness of these important issues. The solution to the world's water problems requires the education, mobilization and involvement of everyone, and film is an ideal tool for inspiring action."

All entries must be submitted on DVD or VHS in NTSC format or as a .mov, .wmv or .mpg file no later than August 15, 2007, for consideration. Visit http://www.iuowfilm.com/ for more information on the competition and entry requirements.