LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The documentary feature film "Running Dry" will premiere at a special screening and reception presented by the Environmental Change and Security Project on Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. in Washington, DC, at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The film will be introduced by writer, producer, and director Jim Thebaut, who's also president of the Chronicles Group; Jeremy Pelczer, president & CEO American Water and corporate sponsor of the film; award-winning actress Jane Seymour narrator of film, and Patricia Simon, wife of the former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois, who had written books on the topic before his death in December 2003.
"Running Dry" is a compelling documentary that issues an urgent call to save millions of people around the world imperiled by the lack of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. The project was inspired by the late Senator Simon's powerful book, Tapped Out. Jim Thebaut had been developing the project in association with Simon until his recent death.
Award-winning actress Jane Seymour narrates as the film takes you on a journey that explores the impending severity of the global water crisis throughout specific regions in southern Asia, northern China, the Middle East, Africa and the American southwest. Various experts and world leaders are interviewed throughout the documentary stating their concerns, not only about their own regions, but also, about the challenges that exist throughout the world.
Everyday an average of 9,500 children die due to the lack of water or because of disease caused by polluted water. "Running Dry" promotes and reinforces the message that water is a precious global resource, while also presenting a variety of solutions that are available to solve the crisis. The Running Dry Project is designed to be a comprehensive public information education project concerning the evolving water crisis.
The "Running Dry" documentary was fully funded, and made possible by a grant from American Water, as well as a substantial grant provided by Carnegie Corporation of New York. Other public and private entities have also contributed to the evolution of the project. The screening is in the 6th Floor Auditorium of the Woodrow Wilson Center at the Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. For more information about the film and the Running Dry Project please go to www.runningdry.org
or visit the center's website: http://wwics.si.edu.
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