Maldives Promotion House – Hilton Worldwide and Sundance Institute has announced that The Island President has won the newly launched Hilton Worldwide LightStay Sustainability Award program, which includes USD 25,000 for one feature film and one in-process category winner. The prizes will be presented at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Additionally, Hilton Worldwide will screen the winning feature film, The Island President, at a special private event during the Festival. A Q&A session with director Jon Shenk will follow the screening. The Island President will be released by Samuel Goldwyn Films on March 28^th.

The Island President revolves around President Mohamed Nasheed’s campaign to fight global warming. The film shows surprisingly candid access to the head of state, and Shenk assures that he was not required to submit the footage for approval. Apart from some scenes of self-doubt, the documentary paints a heroic portrait of the Maldivian leader. Throughout the film Shenk accompanies President Nasheed in his journey to meet the most powerful leaders of the world.

The film is an AfterImage Public Media presentation of Actual Films, AfterImage Public Media, and Independent Television Service (ITVS) production in association with Ford Foundation and Impact Films with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

“Our partnership with Sundance Institute provides a platform for filmmakers to tell stories that can catalyze change and elevate dialogue around critical global issues,” Vice President of Sustainability, Hilton Worldwide, Christopher Corpuel said. “The LightStay Sustainability Award recognizes these compelling documentary projects for their ability to highlight the complexities around the challenges of living in a resource-constrained world and create inspired solutions.”

The 2012 LightStay Sustainability Award winners were chosen out of 1,500 feature-length documentaries and more than 5,000 short film entries submitted to the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program. The winning films showcase the connections between sustainability, economic growth and community development.

“Sustainability is a critical topic for many of our filmmakers. This year-round partnership and awards will help support important new voices addressing these issues through documentary,”Director of the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, Cara Mertes said.

Last month, Hilton Worldwide announced its support of Sundance Institute, a global, nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences in film and theater, and launched the Hilton Worldwide LightStay Sustainability Award program.

LightStay represents Hilton Worldwide’s overarching commitment to integrating sustainability into every guest experience, which is critical to the long-term success of its business. In partnership with the Sundance Institute, the partnership supports the Institute’s Documentary Film Program and awards grants to up to five documentary film projects focusing on sustainability issues.

Hilton HHonors, the company’s loyalty program for its 10 global brands, and its luxury brand, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, a part of its luxury portfolio, will participate as the official hotel sponsors of the Sundance Film Festival through 2014.