The Competition

Showcase the Stories Shaping the Future of Water

In partnership with the World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026, WaterIndustryTV is launching a global short film competition celebrating innovation, collaboration, and impact across the water sector.

We’re inviting utilities, engineers, researchers, operators, consultants, students, filmmakers, and industry professionals to submit original short films exploring the biggest challenges and opportunities facing water today.

Each month, one monthly winner will be selected by our judging panel. All entries will then go forward to compete for the Overall Film of the Year Award, announced live during the Congress in Glasgow in 2026.

Whether your story is technical, human, visionary, or community-focused, we want to see the people, projects, and ideas driving progress across the global water industry.

Competition Deadlines

15th May: Competition Opens

29th June: Submission deadline for June entries

31st July: Submission deadline for July entries

31st August: Submission deadline for August entries

25th September: FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Competition Themes

The Future of Water Management

AI, exploring leadership, operational excellence, digital transformation, asset management, workforce development, cross-sector water management and the future of utility performance.

Wastewater and Resource Recovery

Stories focused on wastewater innovation, circular economy solutions, energy recovery, biosolids, nutrient recovery, modern industrial water challenges (datacentres, semiconductor manufacturing), food & drink, and sustainable treatment processes.

Health, Drinking Water and Potable Reuse

Highlighting safe drinking water, advanced treatment technologies, reuse schemes, water quality, emerging contaminants, public health tracking, wastewater epidemiology, resilience, and public confidence in potable reuse.

Future Catchment-scale Planning & Operations

Featuring integrated urban water management, smart cities, flood resilience, infrastructure planning, operational optimisation, farming run-off and future-ready catchment systems.

Communities, Communication & Partnership

Celebrating collaboration across utilities, governments, communities, NGOs, educators, agriculture, public stakeholders and industry partners to improve engagement and deliver better outcomes. Communicating change and future climate risks.

Water Resources & Sustainable Development (SDG6)

Focusing on climate resilience, catchment management, sustainability, biodiversity, water security, and long-term environmental stewardship. Financing the future of the sustainable development goals (Glasgow Framework)

How the Competition Works

  • Entries are open globally throughout the competition period
  • One Monthly Winner will be selected from all films submitted each month
  • Monthly winners will receive:
    • Featured coverage on WaterIndustryTV
    • Promotion across WaterIndustryTV platforms and channels
  • All submitted films will automatically be considered for the Overall Film of the Year Awards
  • The Overall Winners will be announced during the World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026, as judged by a panel of industry professionals
  • Category winners will also be promoted across social media in the lead-up to the UN 2026 Water Conference in December 2026

Film Guidelines

Suggested Format

  • Length: 2–5 minutes
  • Language: English or English subtitles
  • Format: MP4 or MOV
  • Resolution: Minimum 1080p

Eligible Content

We welcome:

  • Project showcases
  • Case studies
  • Documentary-style storytelling
  • Interviews
  • Innovation features
  • Community initiatives
  • Research and development stories

Judging Criteria

Entries will be judged on:

  • Storytelling and creativity
  • Innovation and impact
  • Relevance to the water sector
  • Technical and production quality
  • Clarity of message
  • Audience engagement potential

Who Can Enter?

The competition is open to:

  • Water utilities
  • Technology providers
  • Consultants and contractors
  • Universities and researchers
  • NGOs and community organisations
  • Students and young professionals
  • Independent filmmakers and creators

How to Enter

Upload your short film to YouTube and send the link to info@waterindustrytv.com, or email the video directly to the WaterIndustryTV team. As per the Competition Rules, you allow Water Industry TV to use and share your entry on social media, for which you will be credited.

What can I win?

There will be prizes and awards for monthly and overall winners. Prizes have yet to be announced, so keep checking the website for updates!

We’re excited to see your entries. Good luck and happy creating!

REGISTER HERE FOR 2026 WORLD WATER CONGRESS & EXHIBITION

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