Film competition for young people encourages awareness of water issues

A new competition has been launched to help aspiring filmmakers gain exposure while addressing wasteful water habits

Today is World Water Day, and to mark the occasion young people around the UK are invited to create inspirational, behaviour-changing short films to help put an end to the bad water habits that are threatening the UK’s ecosystems.

Despite 2012 being the wettest year on record, reserves of fresh water are under serious strain. In the UK alone we each use over 150 litres of tap water a day, much more than other European countries – in Germany that figures stands at 127 litres. Of all the water in the world less than 0.5% is usable in a domestic setting; the rest is saltwater.

To help tackle the issue, youth environmental organisation Cool It Schools has created a competition called Hot Water. Launching at The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust London Centre today, it is a filmmaking competition that encourages children and teenagers to make a 50-second film to raise awareness of our wasteful water habits, which include overfilling kettles, dripping taps and chin-deep baths.

With the competition being judged by media and environmental experts, every film submitted will be shown on the Cool It Schools website and winning films will be screened at the British Film Institute in South Bank, London.

Cool It Schools is also providing resource packs to all entrants, which include a wealth of information on water issues, plus filmmaking guidance and theme inspiration.

The deadline for entries is midnight on 30 October 2013.

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