texas water foundation presents
the 9th annual water, texas film FESTIVAL

 

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024

Water, Texas is a concept, an idea, it’s even a place if you want it to be. It’s anywhere you can think of in the Lone Star State where water matters. Water, Texas is everywhere. From the Davis Mountains to Matagorda Bay, we know that water is the lifeblood of Texas. It supports our landscapes, our lifestyle and our economy. Because everything we love about Texas is rooted in our water, we want to hear your water stories. What does water mean to you?

Austin Film Society’s Cinema was packed as more than 150 film and water enthusiasts joined Texas Water Foundation to screen the winning submissions to this year’s festival, and enjoy a sneak peek and panel discussion around the upcoming PBS docuseries, Chasing the Tide. This year’s winners can be viewed below. We would love to see what water + Texas means to you! Submission for the 2025 Water, Texas Film Festival open soon!

 

CONTEST DETAILS

We’re looking for films that have to do with water in Texas. The rest is up to you. The purpose of the Water, Texas film festival is to give filmmakers the creative flexibility to communicate their stories about water. We aim to inspire the creation of diverse, informative, unique, funny, and thought-provoking films. We want to invite all Texans to understand the value of their water. What better way to do that than asking folks to share their own stories?

TIME LIMIT

10 minutes or less

Theme

Abstract or not, fictional or true, all films should focus on water in Texas

DEADLINE

March 22, 2024

Best Documentary

$1,000

Best Narrative

$1,000

Best Organizational Storytelling

Bragging Rights

Plus a special Under 18 Filmmaker category with sponsored prize.

Questions? EMAIL US.

JUdge

richard linklater

Richard Linklater is a filmmaker, producer and writer living in Austin, Texas. He’s known for such films as Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, Waking Life, Boyhood and many more. He also serves as a Trustee for Texas Water Foundation. Additionally, Linklater is Artistic Director for the Austin Film Society, which he founded in 1985 to showcase films from around the world, which would not typically be shown in Austin. Now one of the nation’s top film organizations, The Austin Film Society shows over 200 films a year, offers educational programming, and has given over $1,500,000 in grants to Texas filmmakers since 1996. We thank Richard Linklater for serving as our film judge, and Austin Film Society for hosting the Water, Texas film festival.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

Tito's Vodka Logo

Interested in sponsoring the 2025 Water, Texas Film Festival? Email Us

 

2024 Water, Texas film contest WINNERs 

 

Best Picture: CHASING THE TIDE, by JAY AND CHRISSY KLEBERG

 

Best Film Featuring an Organization: Groundwater and surface water studies are leading to better water supply planning, By JEAN SCHLITZKUS anD TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

 

Best Documentary: A PLACE OF PROMISE, by ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND

Best narrative film: WALLED OFF, by Sabra Booth

 

Check out our Youtube channel for more.

 
 
 

About TEXAS WATER FOUNDATION

We believe everything you love about texas is rooted in water

Texas Water Foundation is working to lead Texas into a sustainable water future by investing in the next generation of water leaders, equipping decision makers, and inviting every Texan to recognize that Texas Runs on Water. LEARN MORE