Registrations Open!
Please read the guidelines and regulations carefully before submitting your film.
The 2025 Water Film Prize Back to Our Future will award cash prizes to short films that best capture ancient hydro technologies (AHTs), historical water management techniques developed by our ancestors over millennia, some of which are used till the present day. While deserts and other dry regions are associated with being arid, we welcome films from any part of the world where AHTs were/are used to combat water scarcity.
Examples of AHTs include:
– Water Transportation: Qanats (Iran and North Africa), KarezSystem (China), Roman Aqueducts
– Water Collection: Stepwells (India), Phoenician Cisterns (Malta)
– Water Harvesting: Terraced irrigation systems (Peru), the Acequia Systems (New Mexico)
– Water Retention: Johad (India), Sand Dams (East Africa)
– Water Extraction: Sahduf (Sudan/Egypt) Persian Wheel(Pakistan India)
Submissions should provide a portrait of local geographies and address themes such as water conservation, climate resilience, biodiversity preservation, and/or social cohesion. Ideally, submitted films will also highlight their potential to inspire modern solutions.
Films can be fiction, documentaries, or animation.
Awards & Prizes
1st Prize USD$ 3,000
2nd Prize USD$ 2,000
3rd Prize USD$ 1,000
Youth Prize (Under 18) USD$ 1,000
Student Prize (Over 18) USD$ 1,000
GCC Prize USD$ 1,000 (Best film from Gulf Cooperation Council countries)
Back to our Future Prize USD$1,000 (Best film about AHTs inspiring modern solutions)
Winning films will be announced and premiered on November 5th, 2025, at the annual Global Network of Water Museums (WAMU-NET) meeting in Brasilia, Brazil. They will o be screened at the Let’s Talk About Water (LTAW) Film Festival (Paris), the Luxor African Film Festival (Egypt) and other venues in 2026. They will also be showcased at the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2027).
Rules & Terms
Length: 3-5 minutes
Language: Films must be in English or include English subtitles.
Completion Date: Films should have been completed no earlier than January 1, 2023. Retrospectives or historical works may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Premiere Status: Preference will be given to World Premiere films which have not premiered anywhere else (including online platforms, other festivals, or public screenings). If your film has had limited screenings, please provide details in your submission.
Online Submission:
All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway. Click on the logo to submit.
Please ensure your film is accessible with a password, if required.
Submission Fees and Deadlines:
Opening date: 22 March 2025
Fees:
Regular Deadline: US$10 (August 15, 2025)
Late Deadline: US$20 (September 15, 2025)
The winners will be announced on November 5, 2025.
Submission fees are non-refundable. Payment can be made via FilmFreeway
Required Materials:
- Film link (Vimeo or YouTube preferred)
- Proof of payment
- Film title, director’s name, running time, year of production, and contact information
- Brief synopsis (max 200 words)
- Optional: Press kit, poster, or stills
Accessibility: Open captioning is strongly encouraged but not mandatory. If your film includes captions, please indicate this in your submission.
Terms & Conditions
1. Eligibility:
By submitting your film, you confirm that you hold all necessary rights to the work, including music, footage, and other copyrighted materials. You also grant Let’s Talk About Water (LTAW) the right to screen your film during the LTAW festival and related events.
2. Premiere Requirement:
We prioritize films that have not premiered anywhere else, including online platforms, other festivals, or public screenings. If your film is selected, you agree not to screen it publicly prior to its premiere at the Water Film Prize 2025.
3. Promotional Use:
By submitting your film, you grant the festival the right to use excerpts, stills, and promotional materials for marketing purposes across all media platforms, including print, broadcast, and online.
4. Third-Party Rights:
You are responsible for obtaining all necessary clearances, releases, and permissions for any third-party materials used in your film. The festival reserves the right to disqualify any film that infringes on copyright or other intellectual property rights.
5. Limitation of Liability:
The Water Film Prize 2025 is not responsible for any technical issues, delays, or damages arising from the submission process. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the festival reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the event.
6. Indemnification:
Submitters agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Water Film Prize 2025, its organizers, and partners from any claims, liabilities, or damages arising from their participation in the festival.
About the Organizers
Let’s Talk about Water (LTAW) is a global platform that for 20 years has used the power of film to bridge the gap between scientists, policy makers and the public, creating vital dialogue about water challenges and solutions across the globe. The Global Network of Water Museums (WAMU-NET) is a flagship initiative of UNESCO-IHP dedicated to water conservation and education with over 100 members across 44 countries.
