Plan video wins World Bank film contest
Plan recently took top prize for its short film, "Flood Children of Holdibari", in the World Bank's "Social Dimensions of Climate Change" film contest.
The film depicts the river children of Bangladesh and their efforts to protect their community from flooding. By the end of the century it is estimated that 18 percent of Bangladesh will be under water, resulting in the displacement of 20 million people.
A panel of independent judges with expertise in media, international development, environment and human rights were very impressed with the film. One judge remarked, "Very well done, it portrayed a larger problem through the eyes of a handful of children."
The contest was part of an initiative by the Social Development Department of the World Bank to build a greater understanding of how climate change affects peoples lives and communities around the world, especially in developing countries, and of what can be done to reduce vulnerabilities and build climate resilience.
Shona Hamilton and Mary Matheson, who put the production together, were awarded along with the entire Plan organization, at a ceremony at the World Bank headquarters in Washington. DC, this past January.
The story behind the film
"Flood Children of Holdibari" introduces Shapla — a young girl living on the Bangladeshi island of East Holdibari — who has been forced to move house 10 times in four years because of floods that have become more extreme and less predictable with climate change.
Together with other children on the island, she has helped set up the Plan-supported Holdibari children’s group and developed an action plan to protect their flood-prone community.
From drawing up a ‘hazard map’ to highlight risk areas, to providing ways to deter snakes from entering flooded homes, the children’s group has helped to protect their whole community. 
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