Home / Environment / Filmmaker Taps Water Crisis Through Women's Eyes
Filmmaker Taps Water Crisis Through Women's Eyes
11 Jun
Summary
- Filmmaker Michael Zelniker's new docuseries highlights women leading water crisis fights.
- The series will be used by UN agencies to measure water insecurity.
- Zelniker donates all profits from his work to water-scarce communities.
Filmmaker Michael Zelniker is set to receive the Special Sustainability Award at the Taormina Film Festival for his work addressing humanity's impact on Earth. His latest project, the eight-part docuseries "The Struggle for Mother Water," premiered in February and investigates the global water crisis by focusing on women at the forefront of water protection efforts.
Zelniker, a former actor, has shifted his focus to environmental storytelling, stating the power of amplifying unheard voices from communities affected by ecological disasters. Following its premiere, the series has gained international traction.
The filmmaker is scheduled to present "The Struggle for Mother Water" at the Bonn Climate Change Conference in Germany, following an invitation from the German government agency GIZ. This event will offer a platform to engage with international policymakers.
Further impact has been seen at the United Nations in New York City during World Water Day, where segments of the documentary were screened for an international delegation. UN Water and UN Women have partnered with Zelniker to utilize the documentary in a series of events throughout the current year.
Additionally, the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health is incorporating clips from the series into educational modules on water insecurity, developed by Dr. Sarah Young of Northwestern University. Zelniker is also planning a meeting with UNESCO in Paris to discuss collaborative efforts.
Inspired by the plight of the communities he visited, Zelniker has established The Mother Water Fund. He pledges all proceeds from "The Struggle for Mother Water" to these communities. The fund has already supported the construction of a borehole in the village of Bende, Cameroon, aiming to alleviate the burden of water collection for students.
Regarding the award, Zelniker views it as an opportunity to increase visibility for the series and offer validation to those fighting on the front lines of the water crisis.
