Here’s the release from Havey Productions via the Sterling Journal Advocate:
Emmy Award winning Havey Productions, a Colorado historical documentary film house, announces its next documentary film project: “The Great Divide,” revealing how the destiny of the west is written in the headwaters of Colorado.
“The Great Divide” will take on one of the most pressing and critical issues of our time in order to raise public understanding and appreciation of Colorado’s water heritage while inspiring informed discussion about this vital resource critical to a sustainable future.
“Tens of millions of people, billions of dollars of agricultural production, and an enormous amount of economic activity across a vast swath of America from California to the Mississippi River are all dependent on rivers born in the mountains of Colorado. We hope to help the public better understand the issues impacting water use and policy in the arid west in order to encourage a more informed approach to the subject, moving from a past of conflict to a future of cooperation,” said Producer and Director Jim Havey.
In association with Managing Sponsor Colorado Humanities, The Great Divide will be a feature length documentary film that illustrates the timeless influence of water in both connecting and dividing an arid state and region.
Colorado Humanities Executive Director Maggie Coval says “Having partnered with Havey Productions in bringing a wide range of historical subjects to the screen, I have experienced first hand the impact of these films in raising the level of discussion and debate throughout the state. The Great Divide comes to us at a critical time in planning for our water future in the West.”
In addition to Colorado Humanities, The Great Divide has earned early support from top influencers in the worlds of public policy, conservation, education, law, and science including the Colorado Foundation for Water Education, the One World One Water Center, the Colorado Water Institute and the Center of the American West.
“I have worked in the field of water resources in Colorado for more than 30 years, and now is a perfect time for this film project,” says Tom Cech, Director, One World One Water Center for Urban Water Education and Stewardship at Metropolitan State University of Denver. “Coloradoans generally are aware that we live in a semi-arid environment, but are typically unaware of where their water comes from, why we have a rigid system of water allocation law, or why the Western Slope and the Eastern Slope water interests often have conflict over limited water supplies.
Patty Limerick, Faculty Director and Chair of the Board for the Center of the American West added, “This film offers a very promising way to restore or create an appropriate sense of wonder over the arrangements that support human settlement in this state.”
Colorado Humanities is currently seeking sponsorships and grants from business and nonprofit organizations with an interest in Colorado and western water issues. For more information about Colorado Humanities contact Maggie Coval, Executive Director at (303) 894-7951, Ext. 14, or visit coloradohumanities.org.
Distribution plans for The Great Divide include local and regional PBS, municipal and cable channels. DVDs will be distributed to 2,000 schools and libraries throughout the state for class curriculum and public viewing. Sponsors and interest groups will have the opportunity to screen the film for education and discussion among their networks and constituents. Additional outreach will seek distribution on the regional and national level.
The target completion date for the film is March of 2015.