Submitted by the Sundance Resort

Sundance Resort will present a complimentary screening of "Watershed: Exploring a New Water Ethic for the New West," at the Sundance Resort Screening Room on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 4 p.m.

The film will be introduced by Jamie Redford. The film narrated by Sundance Institute founder Robert Redford and directed by award winning filmmaker, Mark Decena of Kontent Films sheds light on the catastrophic threats to the already taxed Colorado River and presents inspiring vignettes of those embracing a new water ethic. A question and answer session will follow the screening.

"Watershed" and subsequent community screenings are designed to engage, inform and inspire Americans to conserve water and begin restoring the Colorado River so that it once again meets the sea.

"If we see the Colorado River as just a river, we are overlooking a natural engine that powers both our economy and our environment," says Robert Redford. "We want this film to raise awareness to the idea that this river is the canary in the coal mine. If business, government and citizens come together and make some changes, the mighty Colorado can continue to serve us."

Having made the film with a grassroots campaign in mind, Redford anticipates "Watershed" will be the entry point for viewers who want to engage and take action to protect and begin restoring the river. Each community-screening event highlights "Class 2 Action" so that South westerners can make a direct impact on the future of the river.

Those actions included:

  • Personal water conservation pledges.

  • Contacting local water district managers and federal decision makers in support of stronger water conservation programs in Southwest U.S. Cities.

  • Contacting federal decision makers to support a bi-national agreement with Mexico to restore the flow to water to the Colorado River Delta.

  • Making Donations to help purchase the water rights necessary to restore the river's connection to the Gulf of California.

    The Redford Center has joined with other leading environmental organizations to present a film tour to foster education and inspire action.

    "In the near future water will become one of the resources that will be most in demand and most precious, above all if it continues to be used indiscriminately," said James Redford. "Hopefully this film and screenings can stimulate more positive action locally."

    Through hosting and producing outcome-based media and conferencing, the Redford Center, based in Sundance, believes that art, creativity and social action make for a potent weapon in the light to create a healthier world for ourselves and the generations to come. Film projects serve as demonstrations of art in action.