Since the dawn of time, storytelling in community has shaped our mindset, our outlook and ultimately, our behavior. With record heat, oscillating droughts & floods, fires, melting glaciers (and ... you know the rest) our current narrative needs some course correcting.
All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) is back for a 5th edition, pan-India cultural event. Join us at Museum of Solutions for a unique evening of cinema, art & community. Watch award-winning global films on regeneration, activism, resilience and hope and engage in conversations with India’s most inspiring change-makers. Let’s restore the narrative of stewardship, together. All are welcome.
PROGRAM:
28 November, Thursday
9:30 - 9:40 AM : understorey
9:40 - 9:50 AM : Your Pet Cat’s Wild Relative Has A New Home
9:50 - 10:15 AM : Shera
10:15 - 10:45 AM : Moderated Discussion: MuSo or ALT EFF rep
10:45 - 10:55 AM : Junk - e
10:55 - 11:05 AM : Phool Dei
11:05 - 11:15 AM : Gutter Ki Machhli (Fish from the Sewer)
11:15 - 11:30 AM : Gopi
11:30 - 12:00 PM : Discussion with filmmaker of Phool Dei
12-12 - 15:00 PM : Break
12:15 - 12:40 PM : Saving The Bone-swallower
12:40 - 2:15 PM : My Grandfather’s Demons
02:15 - 3:00 PM : ALT EFF Voices (45m): Using the above films as prompts for discussion, this is an open-mic for the kids to share stories, thoughts, poems or songs about how these issues are relevant to their lives or what they learnt from the day
29th November, Friday
9:30 - 10:00 AM : In Search of Kasturi
10:00 - 10:20 AM : Immaculate
10:20 - 10:40 AM : Batsies
10:40 - 11:15 AM : ALT EFF Voices : Using the above films as prompts for discussion, this is an open-mic for the kids to share stories, thoughts, poems or songs about how these issues are relevant to their lives or what they learnt from the day
11:15 - 01:00 PM : Diving Into The Darkness
1:00 - 1:30 PM : Break
1:30 - 2:15 PM : Seed Stories
2:15 - 3:15 PM : Sustainability and Safety in Food: A critical conversation led by Consumers for Sustainability
3:15 - 3:30 PM : Wild Summon
3:30 - 4:10 PM : Stubble - The Farmer`s Bane
4:10 - 4:30 PM : Moderated Discussion: MuSo or ALT EFF rep
4:30 - 6:00 PM : Plan B/C/D/E - a play by Meghana AT
6:00 - 6:30 PM : Discussion/Sharing Circle
1st December, Sunday
9:30 - 9:45 AM : Wild Hope: One Golden Chance
9:45 - 10:00 AM : Lunatic
10:00 - 10:15 AM : Some Thoughts on the Common Toad
10:15 - 11:45 AM : Kids Arts and Storytelling Workshop by Murali Raman
11:45 - 12:15 PM : Break
12:15 - 2:05 PM : Snow Leopard
2:05 - 2:15 PM : Break/ Buffer time for delays
2:15 - 2:45 PM : The Feast
2:45 - 3:30 PM : The Climate Baby Dilemma
3:30 - 4:00 PM : ALT EFF Voices: With prompts and/or select performances provided by us, this is an open-mic for audiences to express themselves
4:00 - 4:20 PM : School of Fish
4:20 - 4:30 PM : Benden Sana (Over to You)
4:30 - 5:15 PM : Community Campaigning: Success Stories and A Pathway to Change - Led by Jhatkaa (Roshan Kedar: Associate Campaigns Director)
5:15 - 6:30 PM : Searching for Amani
PROGRAM DETAILES:
understorey (Claire Riverland, Lily Newcombe | Australia, Malaysia | 07 mins 06 secs | English | 2023) India Premiere
Capturing the passion of Sarawak`s driven conservation community, understorey explores the adversity and hope in this field. The short documentary encapsulates the constant uphill battle to preserve the magnificent rainforests of Malaysia and its array of creatures, big and small, which inhabit them.
Your Pet Cat’s Wild Relative Has A New Home (Shatabdi Chakrabarti | India | 06 mins 33 secs | English | 2023)
What is the jungle cat doing in Gurugram`s farmlands? This elusive species, usually found in grasslands and dense vegetation, has adapted to survive in agricultural areas near Gurugram and beyond. Despite its wide distribution and status as one of India`s ten small wild cat species, little is known about its ecology in human-dominated landscapes. While large cats receive much attention, India’s small cats, including the jungle cat, also require focus for conservation efforts.
Shera (Arun Fulara | India | 19 mins 46 secs | Kumaoni | 2023)
In this story, 11-year-old Monu faces moving from his remote Himalayan village to the city, realising he may never see Shera, the elusive leopard everyone else has spotted. As Monu grows despondent with the move approaching, his best friend Raju is determined to give him a special parting gift—a chance to see Shera before he leaves.
Junk- e (Ayush Ray, Ritam Sarkar | India | 07 mins 32 secs | Hindi, Bengali | 2023)
Electronic waste or e-waste is considered to be the fastest growing waste stream in India. This short documentary follows one such stream to Magrahat, a village near Kolkata, where e-waste is both a livelihood and a looming crisis. The film raises important questions about the life cycle of technology, from its creation to its eventual disposal, and the responsibility that both manufacturers and consumers bear in ensuring a more sustainable future.
Phool Dei (Kartik Mahajan | India | 07 mins 21 secs | Hindi, Garhwali | 2024)
Located in the fictional realm of Dev Bhoomi and nestled among majestic mountains, the narrative of the story is about the festival of flowers that celebrates the culture and togetherness of Uttarakhand, seen from the perspective of a small girl Medha as she goes on a Magical and an Adventurous journey to collect flowers for her village before it turns into a ghost village.
Gutter Ki Machhli (Fish from the Sewer) (Natasha Sharma | India | 09 mins 55 secs | Hindi | 2024)
Gutter Ki Machhli weaves together the voices of the children, youth and women of a rehabilitation and resettlement colony in Govandi, Mumbai through their drawings and poetry to vocalise, localise and visualise their experiences of climate change in their poorly built homes and neighbourhood.
Gopi (Nishanth Gurumurthy | India | 13 mins 50 secs | Kannada | 2022)
Gopi Siddi is a middle-aged storyteller who identifies herself with the Siddi community (African Diaspora in South India). Inspired by the oral form of storytelling, Gopi desires to get her stories self published; however, she must first face her battles with alienation, social standing, and environmental catastrophe.
Saving The Bone-Swallower (Mayuresh Hendre | India | 16 mins 29 secs | English, Assamese | 2023)
Saving the Bone-swallower explores the fight for survival of the critically endangered Greater Adjutant storks, with fewer than 2,000 left globally. The film follows Purnima Devi Barman, a grassroots conservationist, who mobilises rural Assamese women to save these birds from a desolate landfill while providing new livelihoods. Alongside Dr. Samshul Ali, they raise two orphaned stork chicks, showcasing the power of community-based conservation and the deep bond between humans and nature.
My Grandfather`s Demons (Nuno Breato | Portugal, Spain, France | 1 hr 22 mins | Portuguese | 2022)
Rosa is a successful professional. The sudden death of the grandfather who raised her and the feeling of not having returned that love, bring her back to the home where she was raised. Thanks to a series of letters and clues left to her by her grandfather, she discovers an important task that will help her make peace with herself and others, while making amends for her grandfather`s past mistakes.
In Search of Kasturi (Neha Dixit, Roundglass Sustain | India | 22 mins 40 secs | English | 2023)
In Search of Kasturi, is an exploration of the filmmaker and her team to find the elusive and mystical Himalayan musk deer. Against the stunning and challenging landscape of the Indian Himalayas, their ultimate encounter with the creature becomes a poignant reminder of the beauty and fragility of our natural world.
Immaculate (Ningjing Wang | China, UK | 15 mins 40 secs | Chinese, English | 2024) India Premiere
In rural China, ecologist Amaël Borzée spends five years listening to the fading calls of Chinese immaculate tree frogs. When filmmaker Ningjing Wang, a lifelong frog enthusiast, joins him, they unite to uncover the secrets of this elusive species. Their journey reveals the shared struggles of the frogs and rural communities. Together, they strive to secure a future for these endangered amphibians and their environment.
Batsies (Liz Unger | USA | 15 mins 22 secs | English | 2023) India Premiere
Batsies is an experimental short documentary about two wildlife biologists, Sara Weaver and Sarah Fritts, who challenge the stigma surrounding bats. Based in Texas, these quirky, tattooed women tackle cutting-edge bat research, focusing on threats from wind turbines. Despite the crucial role bats play in agriculture, their public image has worsened since COVID-19. The film highlights their unique friendship and dedication to saving these misunderstood creatures.
Diving Into The Darkness (Nays Baghai | Australia, Mexico, New Zealand | 1 hr 36 mins | English | 2024) India Premiere
Canadian explorer Jill Heinerth, a leading cave diver, embarks on legendary expeditions from Mexico’s longest caves to Antarctic icebergs. The film intertwines her daring dives with intimate interviews and animated flashbacks, revealing the deep motivations driving her quest. Despite losing over 100 friends in the depths, Jill’s adventures bring her closer to becoming the woman she aspired to be as a child.
Seed Stories (Chitrangada Choudhury | India | 42 mins | Kui, Odiya, English | 2024)
Seed Stories follows Dr. Debal Deb and his team as they conserve over 1,000 endangered heirloom rice varieties in a village in Odisha’s Eastern Ghats. This region, rich in biodiversity and traditional agricultural knowledge, faces transformation due to the introduction of genetically modified seeds and chemicals. The documentary explores how these changes are reshaping local farming practices, food culture, and ecological attitudes, prompting viewers to reflect on sustainability.
Wild Summon (Karni and Saul | UK | 14 mins 39 secs | English | 2023) India Premiere
Wild Summon, directed by Karni and Saul, is a natural history fantasy that portrays the wild salmon`s life cycle in human form. Narrated by Marianne Faithfull, the film follows the salmon`s epic journey from freshwater birth to oceanic adulthood and back. This BFI short film blends myth and nature, offering a unique perspective on the profound connection between these remarkable creatures and their environment.
Stubble - The Farmer`s Bane (Shaz Syed | India | 35 mins | English, Punjabi, Hindi | 2024) India Premiere
Stubble – The Farmer’s Bane examines the stubble burning crisis in Punjab, India, which contributes to Delhi`s severe pollution. The film shifts focus from media headlines to the agricultural challenges faced by local farmers. It highlights how outdated policies and unsustainable practices have damaged the land’s ecology. Featuring two farmers who defy the norm by not burning stubble, it questions whether they can lead the way to environmental sustainability without sacrificing their livelihoods.
Wild Hope: One Golden Chance (Brazil | 9 mins 57 secs | English, Portuguese | 2024) India Premiere
The Golden Lion Tamarin, once on the brink of extinction with fewer than 200 individuals in the 1970s, has seen a remarkable recovery thanks to a global captive breeding program and reforestation efforts. Despite a recent yellow fever outbreak that reduced their numbers by over 1,000, virologist Marcos da Silva Freire`s adaptation of a human vaccine for the tamarins has been successful. Today, their population has rebounded to 4,800, showcasing the power of conservation and scientific innovation.
Lunatic (Robin Noorda | Netherlands | 16 mins | English | 2024)
The film follows Antonio, a lonely astronaut stranded on the moon after coming out. With the Moon Guard statue symbolising protection against space debris, Antonio confronts the threat of Kessler syndrome, which endangers communications with cascading collisions. He tries terraforming the moon and meets the all-knowing `I Am AI,` who narrates. Reflecting on humanity’s impact, Antonio muses: “It is one small scrap by man, one giant heap by mankind.
Some Thoughts on the Common Toad (G. Anthony Svatek | USA | 10 mins 37 secs | English | 2023) India Premiere
A cine-collage manifesto inspired by George Orwell’s essay, with Tilda Swinton narrating. The film uses a blend of images and sound to highlight the common toad as a symbol of natural beauty amidst environmental and political decay. It contrasts the elegance of nature with contemporary issues, urging viewers to reconsider their relationship with the environment and appreciate its beauty and significance.
Snow Leopard (Pema Tseden | China | 1 hr 49 mins | Tibetan, Mandarin | 2023)
Snow Leopard by Pema Tseden is a visually striking drama set in the Tibetan mountains. When a snow leopard kills nine rams, the herder’s family faces emotional and financial fallout, attracting a TV crew eager to capture the rare event. The film explores the complex relationship between humans and wildlife, raising questions about tradition, conservation, and coexistence in a rapidly changing world.
The Feast (Virundhu) (Rishi Chandna | India | 25 mins 13 secs | Tamil | 2023)
The Feast (Virundhu), directed by Rishi Chandna, follows a fisherwoman in a coastal village who challenges a powerful local politician to a feast. Confronting the decline of her lake, she prepares a secret dish with the potential to restore it. This dramatic culinary event blends personal and environmental stakes, highlighting her ingenuity and the deep bond between her community and their endangered natural resource.
The Climate Baby Dilemma (Victoria Lean | Canada | 44 mins | English | 2022) India Premiere
The Climate Baby Dilemma follows science writer Britt Wray as she explores the emotional decision of having children amid climate change. Over three years, Britt engages with activists, psychologists, and parents, while many Gen-Z and millennials question bringing a child into an unstable world. The film also features climate-conscious parents like Sarain Fox and Severn Suzuki, offering insights on transforming climate anxiety into action, including the choice to forgo parenthood.
School of Fish (Oliver Sutro, Colin Arisman | USA | 19 mins 02 secs | English | 2023) India Premiere
School of Fish delves into the Indigenous bond with salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska, where fishing traditions are crucial. As Pebble Mine threatens pollution, local youth learn both fishing and activism. The film highlights a family`s salmon rituals and the Bristol Bay Guide Academy, which trains young conservationists. Will they rise to protect the world’s most prolific salmon run?
Benden Sana (Over To You) (Tao Farren-Hefer | Turkey | 7 mins 32 secs | Turkish | 2024) India Premiere
Benden Sana (Over To You), is set in Gerze, Turkey, along the Black Sea. The film highlights Aunty Ilknur, a respected community leader, and her villagers` fight against industrial threats to their pristine waters. As they strive to protect their environment and heritage from corporate encroachment, the film captures their collective resilience and local activism, reflecting the broader conflict between industrialization and environmental preservation.
Searching for Amani (Nicole Gormley, Debra Aroko | USA, Kenya | 1 hr 16 mins | Swahili, English | 2024)
A young aspiring journalist investigates his father’s mysterious murder within the boundaries of one of Kenya’s largest wildlife conservancies. As a ravaging drought encroaches, his quest to find the killer shifts as the collateral damage of a warming world is revealed.