2024 Prize for Short Films about Water and Science Judges
PRE-JUDGES
Zake Shubber
Zaki S. Shubber is a lawyer specialised in water law who has recently completed doctoral research on the topic of ‘International Law and Uncertainty in Shared Freshwater Resources.’ She is also a conflict management expert having trained as a mediator and worked as a lecturer in law and water diplomacy at IHE Delft in The Netherlands. Prior to that, she was a practicing corporate lawyer in Geneva and London. She has a keen interest in strategic foresight.
Soledad Benitez
Soledad Benitez, Senior secretary at UNESCO Regional Office in Montevideo (Uruguay), has been working at the Organization for 26 years assisting science programme initiatives in particular in the field of water at the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme in Latin America and the Caribbean where she provides vital administrative support including procedures and follow-up for the coordination of activities.
Soledad holds a Business Degree (Universidad Católica), a Postgraduate Diploma in International Business and Integration (ORT University Uruguay), and a Master’s Degree in Management of Development (Università di Torino – International Labour Organization in Italy).
She is passionate about water conservation and sustainable management. She brings her extensive experience and dedication to the role of pre-judge for the Latin American Prize for Short Films about Water and Science. Soledad is eager to inspire and recognize innovative approaches to water issues through film.
Pilar Cora
Pilar Cora holds a degree in Social Communication from the Catholic University of Uruguay and has specialized in Participatory Methodologies, Social Intervention, and Communication from the Complutense University of Madrid. In addition to her academic background, she is trained in Graphic Design and Digital Marketing, and works as a digital campaign manager. Since 2022, Pilar has been a communicator at the Inter-American Institute for Economic and Social Development (INDES) of the Inter-American Development Bank. Her professional experience is rooted in educational and non-profit institutions, where she focuses on empowering and engaging young people.
JUDGES
Margaret Parsons
Margaret (Peggy) Parsons founded the film program at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, an exhibition program and archival collection. She also founded an environmental festival in upstate New York, Glimmerglass Film Days, and serves as its artistic director. She has served as board member for major film organizations including the Robert Flaherty Seminar and Washington Environmental Film Festival and has been on the editorial boards for The Moving Image and the Getty Trust’s Program for Art on Film. She has been a judge for international film festivals including Syracuse, Nashville, Turin, and Poznań, and her work in film preservation has earned her awards from the governments of France, Czech Republic, Italy, Romania, and Georgia. Other interests include folk and self-taught art, and her articles have appeared in Raw Vision, Folk Art, Folk Art Messenger, New York Folklore, Curator, and The Moving Image.
Paulo Bolivar
Paulo Bolívar is an accomplished film editor and Brazilian native with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He has worked on a diverse array of projects, including documentaries and television series. His work has earned him 8 Emmy nominations and 3 Emmy Awards. Paulo has had the privilege of working with notable figures such as Fernando Gabeira and on impactful projects like the Gaya project for the Eco 92 Earth Summit, contributing to initiatives that highlight important social and environmental issues. Currently, Paulo is working on an exciting documentary project that follows the gray whales on their migration from Barra, Mexico, to Alaska.
Lisa Mucciacito
Lisa Mucciacito is a seasoned communications specialist with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. She excels in creating visual and textual content, developing and implementing both internal and external communication strategies, and promoting programs and services to the broader science community and the general public through print, online materials, newsletters, and social media. Lisa holds a BS in Costume and Textile Design from the University of California, Davis, and an MS in Sustainability Management from Columbia University. Lisa has been directly involved with the Let’s Talk About Water program at the Columbia Water Center. Currently, Lisa serves as the Community Outreach Specialist for the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc, bridging the gap between complex water concepts and diverse audiences.
