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A documentary illuminating Lowndes County’s wastewater disposal crisis is scheduled for showing on the international stage in November.

“FL*shing Injustice,” a short film featuring the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program (BBUWP), will show at the World Water Film Festival as part of the United Nations (UN) World Toilet Day emphasis Nov. 17. The festival includes a selection of short and feature films of all genres from around the world plus panel discussions, workshops and a sustainable fashion show, all aimed to highlight human-water relationship issues and leverage the power of film to build advocacy and activism in water-related matters.

Astrid Malter, a filmmaker and printmaker from Brooklyn, New York contacted Bradley and BBUWP President Perman Hardy in 2023 to express her interest in documenting the area’s wastewater crisis and solution efforts. 

“Malter contacted Perman and I, wanting to get the word out about what was going on in Lowndes County,” Bradley said. “She followed us around one day, asked questions and put the film together. The filmmakers were enlightened and wanted people to see the work that we’re doing [as] two women out in the field making sure people get their own onsite sewage treatment systems.”

The film has already been shown at more than half a dozen film festivals: George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, St. Augustine Shorts Film Festival, Social Impact Film Festival, McMinnville Short Film Festival, Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, Better Cities Film Festival, Sidewalk Film Festival, Outer Banks Environmental Film Festival. The film’s premier at the World Water Film Festival marks the documentary’s debut on the world stage, allowing viewers across the globe to see the progress taking place in Lowndes County.

Hardy and Bradley have attended a few of the other festivals and plan to be present for the film’s New York showing. Attendance affords BBUWP representatives to interact with viewers and answer questions related to Lowndes County wastewater solutions.

“I think it’s important to attend [the showing],” Bradley said. “It gives us a wider range and reach and helps bring awareness to the truth about the situation. They will have questions about the work we do and we can help people get a better understanding of what we are all about. It’s a win, win for us when we can spread the word.”

For more information about the film’s showing during the World Water Film Festival, visit worldwaterff.org.