That's the message of director/producer Jim Thebaut's latest doc, "Running Dry," which last week had its Asian premiere in Beijing, to coincide with World Water Day on March 22.

China was one of seven countries, including Israel, India and the American Southwest, where the film was shot. A worldwide tour in several of these locations to raise awareness of the water crisis is in the cards.

Thebaut told Variety his experience shooting parts of the film in China -- not known for its openness to foreign environmental tell-alls -- was generally positive.

"In China, I had a central government crew," Thebaut says, "and I interviewed central government people: They were incredibly frank about the issues they face."

Water shortages are becoming an increasing problem in China. One of the country's main waterways, the Yellow River in the north, began drying up in the mid-1970s, and now only reaches the sea 140 days out of the year. Like many places in the world, the issue is lack of adequate distribution as well as contamination. "Running Dry" was inspired by the book "Tapped Out," by the late Sen. Paul Simon, who was a vigorous campaigner for the global water crisis to be taken seriously by governments worldwide. Simon was also involved in getting the film off the ground, before his death in 2003.

"Running Dry" was screened back in February to members and staff of the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.

The China screening was the first time the film has been shown overseas. Thebaut plans to take his doc on a global tour.

There are also plans for a theatrical release, beginning in Las Vegas, as part of that city's centennial celebrations in May. Las Vegas is one of the U.S. cities identified in the film as having water supply problems of its own.

"Running Dry" wasn't the only film timed to add punch to the World Water Day message.

Leonardo DiCaprio recently helped launch an international awareness campaign with the screening of "Water Planet," a short he also helped to produce.
 
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