If movies can spotlight social issues, they can do so for ecological issues too. That thought led to the inception of the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) in 2020. The festival is returning with its sixth edition this December, in which it will showcase feature films, documentaries, short films, and student films that highlight themes of environment, sustainability, preservation, and climate change. Actor Shriya Pilgaonkar and acclaimed filmmaker Pan Nalin will lead this year’s jury.
Through her own as well as others’ works, Pilgaonkar has often seen how cinema can influence viewers. The actor, recently seen in Mandala Murders, believes joining the ALT EFF jury will introduce her to a new facet of storytelling. “The festival is a reminder of how stories can shift perspectives and empower people to take responsibility for the planet. I’m looking forward to discovering films that don’t just move us emotionally, but also motivate us to rethink our everyday choices and to act with more compassion for all living things,” says the actor.
Pan Nalin
Nalin, whose Chhello Show (2022) was India’s entry to the 95th Academy Awards, says that environments have often been at the heart of his storytelling. “As a jury member, I’m excited to witness stories that are honest, daring, and will challenge us to rethink the way we live, consume, and coexist. In an age where distraction is abundant, ALT EFF reminds us to pause, reflect, and see the world we are in danger of losing,” he shares.