Let’s Talk About Water Launches New International Short Film Competition: Green Water Africa: Hidden Lifelines
Let’s Talk About Water (LTAW) has announced the launch of Green Water Africa: Hidden Lifelines, a new international short film competition dedicated to highlighting the critical yet often overlooked role of green water in Africa’s agriculture, ecosystems, and sustainable development.
The competition seeks compelling short films that explore how rainfall stored in soils and vegetation—commonly known as green water—supports food production, livelihoods, environmental resilience, and economic development across the African continent. Through storytelling, filmmakers are invited to bring greater public awareness to this essential resource and its importance for Africa’s future.
An international jury composed of leading scientists, water and development practitioners, and film professionals will evaluate submissions based on their scientific relevance, creativity, storytelling, and overall impact.
Awards & Prizes
Let’s Talk About Water will award films that best illuminate the underappreciated value of green water in African agriculture and development. An international panel of scientists, water and development practitioners, and film experts will assess the films.
1st Prize: USD $3,000
2nd Prize: USD $2,000
3rd Prize: USD $1,000
Finalists (3): USD $1,000 each
Honorable Mentions (2): USD $500 each
Submission deadline: January 2027
Winning films will be announced on March 16, 2027. The selected films will premiere and be screened at the Let’s Talk About Water Film Festival in Paris, France, the Luxor African Film Festival in Luxor, Egypt, and additional venues throughout 2027.
A selection of the winning films will also be showcased at the African Film Festival New York 2027, providing filmmakers with an international platform to share their work with diverse audiences.
Through Green Water Africa: Hidden Lifelines, Let’s Talk About Water aims to foster greater understanding of water’s role in sustainable development while encouraging innovative storytelling that connects science, policy, and communities.
For more information:
Follow us on social media: @lets.talk.about.water
Send us a message: info@letstalkaboutwater.org
How to Participate?
Develop an Idea
Think of a story about water in your community or region; talk to a scientist, community leader, or water expert
Shoot your film
Shoot a 3-5 minute (max with credits) with your camera or phone. Be creative!
Submit your Film
Submit your film on FilmFreeway and participate in the Short Film Competition
GREEN WATER AFRICA – HIDDEN LIFELINES
Why This Competition Matters
Green water—the rainfall stored in soils and used by plants—is the invisible foundation of African food production. It supports around 80% of smallholder farming and 95% of staple crop production across the continent yet receives only a fraction of agricultural investment and public attention.
Why Africa?
Sub-Saharan Africa holds approximately 60% of the world’s cultivable but unused land. Much of the continent depends on rainfall rather than rivers and reservoirs, making green water management essential for food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
The Opportunity
The Green Water Africa Film Prize invites filmmakers, scientists, students, artists, and storytellers to reveal how communities manage water through landscapes, soils, vegetation, and local knowledge.
The competition seeks short films (3–5 minutes) that highlight innovative, practical, and culturally rooted approaches to water stewardship.
Why Your Participation Is important
- First LTAW short film competition dedicated to Africa’s green water resources.
- Focus on one of Africa’s most important yet overlooked natural resources
- Connects water, agriculture, climate resilience, biodiversity, and development
- Open to both professional and emerging filmmakers
- International jury of film, water, and development experts
- Cash prizes totaling USD 11,000
- Winning films screened at international festivals and events in Africa, Europe, and North America
- Builds on over 20 years of experience from Let’s Talk About Water in using film to connect science, policy, and society
Download the prize poster here.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS
Let’s Talk about Water (LTAW) For two decades, Let’s Talk About Water (LTAW) has used film and storytelling to bridge the gap between scientists, decision-makers, and the public, creating dialogue around water challenges and solutions worldwide.
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