Film Competition in Beverly Hills Encourages Water Conservation [VIDEO]

The environmentally focused Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition, held Wednesday evening at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, awarded $10,000 to a New York filmmaker for his original film focusing on the need for responsible water use.

The competition, now in its fifth year, seeks original short films that bring attention to the global water shortage and need for conservation. The contest is sponsored by Rain Bird Corp., a California manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services.

Six finalists had their films screened before a live audience and a panel of judges that included representatives from the media, entertainment and water management industries. The evening was hosted by animal expert Jack Hanna, a 30-year veteran of documentary films and television.

Isla Urbana (attached) by Greg Harriott of Brooklyn, NY, was chosen as the $10,000 “Jury Award” winner. The Wash (attached) by Carla Dauden of Long Beach, CA, was named winner of the $5,000 “Audience Choice” award. The competitors included a filmmaker from the Philippines and one from the United Kingdom.

“All finalists should be congratulated for their outstanding film submissions,” said Dave Johnson, Rain Bird's marketing director. “Rain Bird’s Intelligent Use of Water platform was built so that filmmakers … [could] have an influential platform to address the world’s water challenges and in doing so, inspire others to take action in their own way.”

North Coast Media, a Cleveland, OH, publishing company, also sponsored the competition. For more information on the event, click here. 

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