ECOLOGY FILM FESTIVAL 2026
Bhoomi Habba, Visthar, Bengaluru
Curated by Amudhan RP
Organised by MARUPAKKAM
Schedule (yet to get the approval from the filmmakers)
10 am to 1 pm
The Waves Will Never Stop
Dir: Kartik Sreenivasan, Sai Krishna L V, Sanjana Reddy; 10:00 min; Documentary; India
Twenty years after the 2004 Tsunami’s devastation in Bommayapalayam, Narayanan, a fisherman, carries vivid memories of that fateful morning- raging waves that shattered lives and swept away hundreds of homes in the village where he grew up. He and his crew continue to fish in those same waters, while the haunting ruins scattered along the shore linger silently, stuck in time. Amidst Narayanan's ventures into the sea each morning and his wife awaiting for his return at the shore, lies a quiet testament to hope and resilience, unfolding the community's enduring spirit
Kelad
Dir: Shruti Jagdale; 22:43 min; Documentary; India
The documentary explores Kelad, a serene village in the Vellha region, capturing its people’s daily struggles and deep rooted connection to rice farming. Surrounded by lush greenery and thick clouds, the village thrives in harmony with nature. Through resilience and simplicity, the film unveils Kelad’s essence, showcasing how the interplay of soil, water, air, fire, and sky shapes its unique spirit.
Even So (Phir Bhi)
Dir: Meghna Nandy; 16:02 min; Documentary; United Kingdom
In India, a country in the throes of a human-wildlife conflict crisis, a unique anomaly exists in the villages of the Charotar region of Gujarat. Here, people live in harmony with India’s largest freshwater predator - marsh crocodiles, or muggers. Charotar has had less than 10 attacks in the last 10 years even with growing populationsof both humans and muggers. But it’s a little more complicated than just tolerance.
Báaxpee: This Ground
Dir: Robin Starbuck; 29:42 min; Documentary; United States
Báaxpee: This Ground, is a lyrical and intimate documentary that traces the life and spiritual legacy of Ben Cloud, revered medicine chief of the Crow/Apsaalooke Nation and central figure in the sacred Sun Dance tradition. Far more than a portrait, the film becomes a living archive — a ceremonial act in itself — offering rare access to the inner world of the Apsáalooke as they carry ancient ritual into the twenty-first century. Merging personal memory with cultural transmission, Báaxpee: This Ground departs from conventional documentary form, embodying the quiet power and profound mystery of a spiritual practice rooted in land, lineage, and the unseen. Available with Spanish, German or Italian subtitles.
Dog Meat
Dir: Mel Andre; 39:00 min; Documentary; United States
This powerful documentary explores the heart-wrenching world of the dog meat industry, with a focus on the rising issue of pet dog kidnappings. Despite superstitions and myths that have perpetuated this practice, there is a growing movement dedicated to bringing about change. In "Dog Meat: Saving Our Best Friend," we meet courageous individuals, grassroots organizations, and nonprofits working tirelessly to end the practice of consuming dog meat in Southeast Asia. This compelling documentary takes viewers on a journey through the heartbreaking and often controversial world of the dog meat industry. The film explores the multifaceted issues surrounding the trade, from its historical roots to the modern-day challenges faced by those fighting to end it.
2 pm to 5 pm
Inside the forest stands a watchtower
Dir: Biswajit Das; 15:39 min; Documentary; India
An art collective builds a watchtower in a human elephant conflict zone in Assam. But they have never seen an elephant in that area.
Blurred Boundaries : The Mishmi and the Forest
Dir: Imrana Khan; 13:18 min; Documentary; India
“Blurred Boundaries: The Mishmi and the Forests” is a documentary by Dusty Foot Productions for WCS-India and the Kamlang Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, exploring the deep connection between the Mishmi people, the forests, and the tigers they revere as kin. The film showcases how tradition and respect for nature can drive meaningful conservation.
Molai - Man behind the forest
Dir: Dhiraj Kashyap; 20:00 min; Documentary; India
Molai, also known as Jadav Payeng, is a committed environmental and forest activist and wildlife enthusiast from Kokilamukh in Jorhat, Assam. Over several decades, he has planted and tended for trees on the sandbar islet of Aruna Chapori, which lies between the mainland and the river island Majuli, transforming a vast area into a forest reserve since 1980. Jadav Payeng’s sprawling Molai Kathoni (Molai’s Woods) is now a thriving habitat to a large number of birds, animals and insects, including deers, tigers, rhinos, Asiatic buffaloes, monkeys, vultures, snakes, and more. The Molai Reserve, which covers approximately 550 hectares, is home to thousands of trees and more than 100 species of medicinal plants.
Thar: Sacred Groves and Waterscapes
Dir: Pranjal Joshi; 19:59 min; Documentary; India
In a world driven by instant gratification, the stories of communities in and around Orans offer a lasting reminder of the power of nurturing and protecting nature with love and respect. These communities understand that true rewards—such as peace—are beyond the reach of money and haste. Their legacy is the forest and all its wild inhabitants, cherished as vital to ecological balance. From shared groundwater wells that sustain over 100 households without ever being overdrawn, to community-led efforts in wildlife and water conservation, the people in western Rajasthan exemplify a profound, selfless commitment to preserving nature.
Nilgiris: Customs and Culturescapes
Dir: Pranjal Joshi; 19:59 min; Documentary; India
The people of the Nilgiris, nestled in the hills of Southern India, share a deep connection with their land. They have spent centuries understanding the nuances of nature, embracing age-old traditions passed down through generations. One such practice is beekeeping, an integral part of their lives that provides sustenance and forms a unique bond between the people and their environment.
Sundarbans: Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes
Dir: Pranjal Joshi; 18:15 min; Documentary; India
"Sundarbans: Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes” weaves stories of the natural heritage of the largest delta and mangrove forests of the world. In a naturescape where the ground beneath one's feet is constantly fleeting, the forests function as a space that gives generously and takes mercilessly. The confluence of endangered species and unpredictable livelihoods - is a tale that ties faith and ecology, resulting in coexistence amongst vulnerabilities.
Jar of Time
Dir: Nevena Semova; 27:25 min; Documentary; Bulgaria
One of the last nomadic Pomaks in Bulgaria search for the finest grazing fields for their cows and sell milk to support themselves. Even though dairy production regulations have made their livelihood illegal, the couple is dedicated to preserving their freedom.
Notre Paradis De Plastique I Our Plastic Paradise
Dir: Johann Vorster; 10:56 min; Documentary; South Africa
Set in the remote fishing village of Setté Cama in rural Gabon, Plastic Paradise follows Jean-François Fisher , operator of Setté Cama Adventure Fishing. With stunning beaches, rich biodiversity, and a fragile dependence on eco-tourism, the village is a place of natural beauty and cultural resilience. But as vast quantities of plastic waste wash ashore, this delicate balance is thrown into crisis.
