(VNF) - The UK Government and the Luang Prabang Film Festival, in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), are initiating a short film competition in order to draw attention to this crucial issue for the Mekong region.

Illustrative picture: A pile of 15 tonnes of ivory confiscated from smugglers and poachers is arranged before being burnt. Reuters

Southeast Asia remains among the most critical in terms of severity and volume of wildlife trafficking. Driven by high demand in East Asia for animal products in the form of food, traditional medicine, and decoration, the illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia is responsible for approximately 25% of the global industry.

The Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) Short Film Competition aims to use filmmaking as a tool to raise awareness amongst the public and policymakers about the need to protect endangered wildlife, shed light on and encourage organizations and projects that are already actively involved in combating illegal wildlife trade and raise awareness globally of the specific IWT issues and challenges affecting the Mekong region.

Residents of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, or Myanmar and expatriates living in these countries are eligible to join the competition.

The three top winners will be invited to present their films in the UK during the London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, which will take place on October 10-11. All prizewinners (except for the Special Prize) will also be provided a roundtrip flight and accommodation to attend and participate in the 9th Luang Prabang Film Festival, which will take place on December 7 - 12.

Detailed information about the competition is available at http://www.lpfilmfest.org/content/IWTMekong.html./.

( VNF )