jeta Amata
February 2015 Nigerian filmmaker Jeta Amata has united with top international film directors and specialists to support the global sH2Orts film competition, organised by the charity WaterAid and WorldView. The competition, which runs until 20 February 2015, invites budding filmmakers from across the world to produce one-minute films about what water means to them.
Amata joins an esteemed panel of judges, which brings together Indian director Shekhar Kapur; British director Gurinder Chadha; British actor Hugh Bonneville; British director and filmmaker Philip Bloom; and The Guardians Head of Documentaries, Charlie Phillips.
Amata, who won the Best West African Film Award in the 2006 Screen Nations Awards UK and whose recent credits include, Inale and Black Gold, said:
I believe that films can reflect and tackle current issues and turmoils challenging us in the world. Using the medium of film to give a voice to these issues can only bring positive change, and that is why I am honoured to be on the judging panel of Sh2orts. I am looking forward to seeing the creative scope of the water-inspired films that are entered. Water is essential to life, but in my home country of Nigeria over 63 million people live every day without access to a clean water source. That is shocking. So I hope that through the film competition we will raise awareness and support to change this statistic, not just in Nigeria but around the world.
WaterAid works in 26 of the world poorest countries, helping to save and transform lives by improving access to safe water and improved sanitation.
Catherine Feltham, Film Producer at WaterAid, said: Gaining access to safe water and improved sanitation can completely transform lives. Through the sH2Orts film competition, we hope to celebrate the power of water and highlight its importance as we work towards a world where everyone everywhere has access to this valuable resource.
Marion Simpson, Project Manager of WorldView, said: WorldView is committed to supporting filmmakers across the globe to bring the richness and diversity of the world to mass audiences and we are delighted to partner with WaterAid on this exciting project. Were looking for creativity and innovation. This is about your imagination, not resources.
Competition information
The competition is free to enter and entrants can film on their own, with friends or as part of a crew. The films can be sent in either .mp4 or .mov format and can be any duration under one minute long.
The shortlisted filmmakers will be notified at the end of February and their films will be showcased online, with voting to decide the publics favourite. The overall winner will be chosen by the panel of judges and the final five winners will be announced ahead of World Water Day 22 March 2015.
Fujifilm has generously donated five fantastic cameras for winners of the competition. Also up for grabs are masterclasses from Shekhar Kapur and WorldView.
For full details on the competition and to enter, visit http://www.wateraid.org/sh2orts.