The 24-minute documentary A Moment of Clarity has been nominated as the Jury's Special Selection for screening at the 2008 Wildscreen Festival, in Bristol, England, from October 19 to 24.
A NHNZ production assistant, Ms Cowhey made the film with assistant director Louise Davidson, of Wellington, when they were taking the University of Otago's natural history filmmaking course last year.
Films from 44 countries were submitted for the festival's Panda Awards.
Ms Cowhey said she was amazed by the film's nomination.
"It's great to be able to put the spotlight on New Zealand's environmental issues with international audiences.
Having moved to New Zealand from Ireland, I didn't fully realise the devastating impacts that introduced species had on native birds until I walked into an almost silent forest on the first day of the shoot," she said.
"A Moment of Clarity was a huge learning curve for us but an experience that prepared us well for the world of television production and, one that we will never forget."
The nomination for A Moment of Clarity means the film is also eligible for the Wildscreen Festival's prestigious Judges' Choice Award.
The executive producer of the film was NHNZ filmmaker Alison Ballance, whose book Southern Alps is a finalist in the environment category of this year's Montana Book Awards.
The film also features the voice of University of Otago theatre studies student Ben Truman as the rat.
Ms Davidson said she was thrilled that a New Zealand-specific film made the final selection.
"Taking the risk of going slightly off the beaten track for a natural history film paid off for us in the end. I am still in disbelief about the nomination and have my fingers crossed that we will be able to head over and meet other filmmakers."
The pair are now attempting to raise funds to attend the festival.
The Wildscreen Festival was founded by Sir Peter Scott in 1982 and attracts international film and television delegates and conservationists.
