Three Short Films Take Top Honors at RAIN BIRD'S
2009 Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition
AZUSA, Calif. (September 28, 2009)--The Intelligent Use of WaterTM Film Competition crowned three short films with top honors at a final screening event held on Wednesday, September 23 at The Getty Center in Los Angeles, California. The competition encourages amateur and experienced filmmakers to use the power of film to bring about a greater awareness of the need for responsible water use.
Presented by irrigation manufacturer Rain Bird and event partners Questex Media Group and FilmL.A, the 2009 awards were preceded by a final screening of the finalists' films in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. David Sutera, director of the 2008 Jury Award winning film Glass Half Full, served as the master of ceremonies for the evening's event.
The following films were selected as winners of the 2009 Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition:
2009 Jury Award Winner:Small Changes by filmmakers Jennifer & Christopher Gandin Le of Austin, Texas
2009 Audience Award Winner:The Saving Water Song by filmmaker Keith Cantrell of McPherson, Kansas
2009 Green Industry Award: More or Less by filmmaker Mark E. Petersen of Boulder, Colorado
Rain Bird presented Jury Award winners Jennifer and Christopher Gandin Le with a check for $6,000, while Audience Choice winner Keith Cantrell received a $3,000 prize for his short film. Event partner Questex Media Group presented Green Industry Award recipient Mark E. Petersen with a $6,000 check for his winning film.
All of the finalists' films are available for viewing on the competition's website, www.IUOWFILM.com.
"The filmmakers in this year's competition have genuinely expressed the importance of efficient, effective and responsible use of the Earth's most precious resource by using the creative and personal power of film in an original and compelling way," said Dave Johnson, Rain Bird's corporate marketing director. "Rain Bird strives to deliver an influential platform where filmmakers like these six finalists can raise awareness of the important issues surrounding water conservation so that others will be inspired and take their own personal action."
Prior to naming this year's winners, audience members participated in a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers and the panel of judges. This year's judging panel included Gary McVey, executive director of the American Cinema Foundation; Amanda Pope, associate professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts; Timothy Brick, Chairman of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Philip Sokoloski, Manager of Communications, FilmL.A; and Larry Aylward, Editor-in-Chief, Golfdom.
Rain Bird's Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition is part of a range of programs and initiatives to boost awareness of water conservation. Rain Bird devotes significant resources to its Intelligent Use of Water public education initiatives, which include a series of white papers; public service announcements; membership on the Alliance for Water Efficiency and the steering committee advising the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its WaterSense product labeling program; annual Intelligent Use of Water Summits; partnerships with nonprofit organizations; development and support of elementary and middle school curricula; and participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade®, an annual worldwide stage to communicate the need for water conservation.
ABOUT RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain BirdCorporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry’s broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water™ is about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden and Mexico. www.rainbird.com
ABOUT QUESTEX MEDIA GROUP, INC.
Questex Media Group, Inc. is a global, diversified business-to-business integrated media provider, headquartered in Newton MA. Questex serves multiple industries including technology, travel, beauty, spa, entertainment, industrial and specialty services markets through a range of well established, market-leading publications, digital media, events and information services. The company’s business includes 25 trade publications, 35 conferences and trade shows, over 45 online media brands as well as branded strategic advisory services, research, data, marketing services and databases. Questex has more than 400 staff in offices throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. For more information, please refer to the company's website at http://www.questex.com. # # #
