With its water-themed issue on the stands, National Geographic will continue to focus on this most precious resource on Martha’s Vineyard this weekend with the launch of the new book Written in Water: Messages of Hope for Earth’s Most Precious Resource and the premiere of its film Shark Eden. Events on Saturday and Sunday bring world-renowned authors, activists, filmmakers and musicians together for a festival called Water Is Life, cosponsored by the Island nonprofit group World Waterway.

Author Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of Jacques-Yves Cousteau and founder of Blue Legacy, and awardwinning Vineyard-based writer William Waterway will be among the panelists at two discussions Saturday, May 1, on water issues. Both at Katharine Cornell Theatre on Spring street in Vineyard Haven, the first is from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and its focus is local. Then from 2:30 to 4 p.m. National Geographic’s panel will make a presentation in a session that also will include time for audience questions.

The panels also will feature Lynne Cherry, the best-selling author of 30 children’s books, who is also an illustrator and filmmaker; Ellsworth Havens, the president of Rotary International’s water and sanitation Rotary action group; Jamie Workman, the respected author, speaker and consultant; and Irena Salina.

Ms. Salina, the director of the water film Flow, is the editor of Written in Water, which will have its national release here on Saturday. A free reading, book signing and reception will begin Saturday at 6 p.m. at Bunch of Grapes Bookstore on Main street in Vineyard Haven, with Ms. Cousteau and Mr. Waterway reading from their contributions alongside Ms. Salina.

The book reception will be followed by the first U.S. release of National Geographic’s new film, Shark Eden, at 8 p.m. at Katharine Cornell theatre. Admission to the film is $8.

Shark Eden was produced, written and shot by Adam Geiger and Colette Beaudry of Sealight Pictures, located on Martha’s Vineyard. As an added bonus, the event will feature four film shorts of first-release environmental films from Ms. Cherry.

On Sunday, May 2, is a concert in Edgartown’s Whaling Church with a keynote address by Ms. Cousteau, poetry by Fan Ogilvie, and performances by Vineyard student Katie Mayhew, the Minnesingers, and the internationally recognized Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Concert tickets are $20, or $30 for guests who also wish to attend a reception, book signing, light food and wine and separate concert from 5 to 6:30 p.m. downstairs at the church in the Baylies Room.

Proceeds will benefit the high school’s Science Fair World Waterway Awards, ongoing research and World Waterway.

Tickets will be available at the door and in advance at Alley’s, Menemsha Texaco, Jim’s Package Store, Edgartown Books, Your Market, Bunch of Grapes and online at ticketsmv.com/waterconcert.