The UK Government, in conjunction with the Luang Prabang Film Festival, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), has launched a short-film making contest on illegal wildlife trade, said the UK Embassy in Vietnam on June 12^th.

The Mekong region is a perfect storm - a source, transit route and final destination for many of the world’s most valuable and threatened wildlife species. This multi-million dollar trade significantly threatens the survival of endangered species including tiger, Asian and African elephant, and all rhino species, as well as pangolins - the most trafficked animal in the world. Illegal wildlife trafficking represents the third-largest illicit trade in the world, with an estimated value of up to USD 19 billion per year. As a region, 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 per cent of the global industry.

The contest aims to raise awareness of the public and policy makers of the importance of protecting endangered species, thus increasing specific actions to protect wild animals as well as of devising relevant sustainable and long-term measures for countries along the Mekong River.

It is available for all filmmakers from (or residing in) the five Mekong countries Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, with each entry will not be over 6 minutes.

The best filmmaker will be awarded a prize worth USD 5,000, and be invited to attend the International Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade in London in October and the Luang Prabang Film Festival in December.

A maximum of 15 submitted films (10 from the Main Competition and 5 from the Student Competition) will be chosen to be put on the Luang Prabang Film Festival's Facebook page and compete for the Viral Prize. The film that receives the most shares (only from LPFF’s official upload) within the established window will win the prize (and is still eligible to receive another prize in the competition, as well). First, Second, Third, and Student Prize winners will be selected by a jury made up of representatives of the Mekong Region’s British Embassies, the WCS, and the WWF. Additionally, the British Embassies in Vientiane, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Yangon, alongside local experts, will choose a Special Prize for each country.

A screening of the top films will also take place during this conference, exposing international IWT experts to these messages from the Mekong Region.

Apart from professional filmmakers, students are also encouraged to participate in the contest as youths play an important role in creating changes.

More information about the contest can be found at lpfilmfest.org/content/IWTMekong.html

The deadline for submission is August 15^th, 2018./.

VNF