Ecology Film Festival, Chennai

ECOLOGY FILM FESTIVAL 2026

14 June; 10 am to 6 pm; Periyar Thidal, Chennai 

Curated by Amudhan RP

Organised by MARUPAKKAM & Periyar Self Respect Media 

Schedule 

10 am to 1 pm 

Karma Gaabo Re

Dir: Shubham Neware; 47:00 min; Documentary; India

Spread across Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, the Baiga Tribe has seen its population decline over time. Displaced from their ancestral lands in the 1960s, they have struggled to preserve their traditions in a rapidly evolving world. Yet, deep in the villages of Lagma and Bandhatola, Madhya Pradesh. The echoes of their past still live on, woven into their songs, dances, and unwavering bond with nature.

Karma Gaabo Re, the documentary film offers a rare, intimate glimpse into the Baiga’s way of life, capturing their beliefs, rituals, and the deeper meaning behind their music and dance. More than just performances, these art forms are their way of storytelling, expressing joy, sorrow, and their connection to the land they revere. Film follows a raw, observational approach, unfolding the story naturally, coming from the Baiga itself, in their own rhythm.

“Karma Gaabo Re” means “Let’s sing karma” in English. Karma is a song sung by baiga tribe.

The Well

Dir: Balaji Maheshwar; 1:02:07 min; Documentary; India

In a remote tribal village, a community unearths an age-old well, reviving not just their water source but their deep-rooted cultural and spiritual ties to nature. Bhaavi is an observational portrait of resilience, indigenous knowledge, and the fragile balance between humanity and ecology.

Located at the convergence of Eastern and Western Ghat mountain ranges, near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, lies the beautiful and pensive Solaganai tribal village. The Solagars are indigenous tribes who call the forests their home. But this home is without a dependable source of drinking water for most parts of the year, especially during the summer months. To bring one pot of drinking water, the people of Solaganai had to walk many miles, up and down hilly areas and down into the valley. For a scenic mountain hamlet, supposedly where springs and streams originate, this fate seemed ironic. This leads us to question our actions that disrupt ecological balance.

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

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.

Bajau Laut - the Sea is our Home

Dir: Joo Peter; 1:10:00 min; Documentary; Malaysia

Their stilt houses are burnt down, their boats destroyed: indigenous people like the sea nomads in Malaysia are denied citizenship and passports as they are disenfranchised as stateless people. But centuries of history and the graves of their ancestors on the Malaysian islands are proof of their roots.

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.

4 pm : Tea break

4.15 pm 

Fools' Paradise (lost?)

Dir: Alexandra Lexton; 1:38:00 min; Documentary; United States

How do we heal ourselves through reconnection to the natural world? How do we heal what is left of the wild – our own inner wild and the outer wild? Immersed in experiences recounted by writers, filmmakers, artists, environmentalists, adventurers, therapists, and political activists, we delve into scientific inquiry around topics such as personal action, sustainable business and life practices, nature therapies and how we need and use nature to regenerate ourselves.