science, science everywhere, nor any drop to drink: film as the gateway to making scientists serve society better through engineering on water issues

Our website is http://www.cottonburgersandwater.com

The core idea of the film documentary evolves around these two main characters to create a unique experience customized for the viewers. Gradually their story will be unfolded in a way that the audiences are always engaged with the movie and not bored. As the story continues, we go further deep into their lives and reveal the inner leanings from their experiences. Their connection through the “Cotton” and “Water” will be revealed gradually, while we will introduce “Burgers” as the main barrier between them. At the end, we will see that Professor Hossain has a solution, which suggests that a missing bridge between the real people and the scientific world could be the ultimate answer. Based on his research he is now planning to approach the real people from remote locations which is directly connected with his research. Also, there is a good cotton harvest in Punjab this year. Our Pakistani cotton farmer is now receiving the latest research updates from around the world via PCRWR (Pakistan Council for Research on Water Resources). He is very excited to learn that it is now possible to forecast the ground water stock using GRACE satellite to know what will be available in future. The story will conclude with the understanding that science and engineering should be blended properly in order to create the right impact for millions of people. Scientists should see beyond the usual scientific horizon, get out of their comfort zone and think about engaging endusers to devise solutions based on the answers we have from our real-life quests.

This is going to be our 3rd movie project on water issues using the research to serve and empower society in developing nations better. We have worked in the region (Pakistan, Bangladesh and US) since the year 2000 based on research projects we conduct and are therefore intimately familiar with the local bureaucracy, organizations and how to move around. There is no such major risk (because this is a reality tv style documentary) other than the prevailing political conditions in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Our on-site footage for Pakistan will be in Punjab that has a stable political environment. Also, in the past, we have managed to work under the most severe economic and political conditions in Bangladesh (March 2013) to create our first movie docu-drama RISING TIDE. We have MOUs set up with several Pakistan and Bangladesh Govt agencies and University of Washington to streamline the approval process to shoot in overseas location. In fact, a high level government delegation from South Asia is visiting University of Washington (SASWE Research group of Faisal Hossain) this November to finalize a lot of details. One agency staff from Pakistan is already embedded at UW and engaged in research on GRACE. He (Naveed Iqbal) has already identified the Pakistani farmer who we will follow in reality tv format. Our 2nd movie "BAY OF HOPE" has been shortlisted for screening at the 8th Eco Film Festival in Kualalumpur this October (2015). BAY OF HOPE was produced at a cost of only 4000 USD which demonstrates our strong commitment to financial accountability and making every single dollar go as far as possible.