ALT EFF Delhi 2025, jointly hosted by Sri Aurobindo Centre of Arts & Creativity and the New Delhi Film Foundation, brought two days of powerful environmental cinema and urgent conversations on Delhi–NCR’s fast-deteriorating ecological reality. With screenings of acclaimed national and international films, a compelling panel on pollution and the Aravalli crisis, and active participation from students, experts, and citizens, the festival highlighted how cinema can spark awareness, dialogue, and collective responsibility in times of a growing climate emergency.
The two-day edition of ALT EFF Delhi 2025, jointly organised by Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication (SACAC) and the New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF), brought together meaningful cinema and deep reflection on the environmental crisis unfolding across Delhi–NCR.
ALT EFF (All Living Things Environmental Film Festival) is one of the world’s leading climate- and environment-focused film festivals, known for curating powerful, solution-driven films from India and across the globe. Started six years ago, the festival is unique in its decentralised model — hosted across multiple cities in more than 39 countries in collaboration with local organisations.
The Delhi edition, held with SACAC and NDFF, showcased acclaimed films, a hard-hitting panel on the Aravalli crisis, and vibrant student participation — reaffirming cinema’s role as a force for awareness and ecological responsibility.
Hosted at SACAC, Delhi, on 6–7 December 2025, the festival served as an engaging forum where students, educators, environmentalists, journalists, activists, and filmmakers came together for a nuanced exploration of climate, ecology, and cinematic storytelling.
The festival opened with warm welcome remarks by Daljeet Wadhwa (Director, SACAC) and Ashish K Singh (Founder, NDFF), reiterating the shared commitment of both institutions toward environmentally conscious cinema and creative social awareness.
On the Day 1, five significant long and short documentaries and animated films from India and abroad were screened. Interactive session after each screening sparked thoughtful discussions, with students showing particular interest in the ideas and environmental insights reflected in the films.
Senior journalist, filmmaker, and educator Ramesh Menon also addressed the gathering on Day 1, offering a sharp commentary on India’s environmental challenges and the urgency of the climate emergency.
Photography Competition & Wildlife Photography Exhibition
A school-level photography competition (Classes 9–12) was also organised as part of the festival. The winners name were also announced on the Day 1, as :
- 1st Prize — Yatharth Chaudhary (Pathways School, Noida)
- 2nd Prize — Shaurya Pratap Bisht (Pathways School, Noida)
Both are students of Class IX, and Shaurya has already been emerging as a promising young wildlife photographer, gaining recognition at a very early age.
The winners were felicitated by OM Systems.
The festival also featured a Wildlife Photography and Camera Exhibition, showcasing award-winning images and advanced wildlife filmmaking cameras, offering students a close understanding of conservation photography and field gear.
Films That Stirred Reflection and Awareness
Across both days, ALT EFF Delhi curated powerful national and international films that shed light on social injustice, displacement, deforestation, the urban sewage crisis, and human–environment relationships.
The notable films included:
- Future Council — Directed by award-winning Australian filmmaker Damon Gameau, this documentary follows eight children travelling across Europe, meeting world leaders and exploring real, actionable solutions to the global ecological crisis — narrated through the urgent and fearless perspective of youth.
- How Mallah Women Fought — A moving account of the struggle of more than 5,000 Mallah women in Bihar against caste violence, sexual exploitation, and systemic oppression, as they fight to reclaim rights over local water bodies.
- Blood Wood — A gripping investigative film documenting the threat to Romania’s last primary forests due to aggressive commercial logging, exposing greenwashing tactics and highlighting the ecological importance of ancient woodlands.
- Beneath the Panel: The Hidden Losses of India’s Solar Parks — A sharp documentary on how India’s large-scale solar infrastructure projects have triggered land alienation, water scarcity, and displacement in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu.
- Ghughuti ki Mala — A beautifully crafted animation rooted in Uttarakhand’s Makar Sankranti tradition, blending food, folklore, family, culture, and the broader idea of living in harmony with nature.
- Desi Oon — A visually evocative portrayal of Deccani wool and the spiritual, ecological, and cultural legacy of pastoralism through the life of Balu Mama and his revered flock — posing critical questions on the ecological wisdom modern society has lost.
Our Environment, Our Future: Panel Discussion on Local Challenges & Solutions
Day 2 featured a crucial panel discussion titled “Our Environment, Our Future: Local Challenges and Solutions”, with three distinguished speakers:
- Sanjay Kabir — Senior journalist, author, environmental commentator, and founder of the nature-focused platform Jangalkatha.
- Dr Apoorv Grover — Ophthalmologist and an active voice in the People for Aravallis movement, deeply involved in environmental advocacy.
- Meenu Ghai — Sustainability practitioner and long-time Aravalli activist associated with People for Aravallis.
The session was moderated by Ashish K Singh (Founder, NDFF).
Key Concerns Raised During the Discussion
- Air Quality & Children:
Dr Grover expressed grave concern that Delhi’s air has become so poisonous that infants and young children cannot safely step outdoors. He emphasised the Aravalli range’s crucial role in maintaining Delhi–NCR’s climate balance and questioned the environmental legacy we are leaving for future generations. - 53 Days of Poor Air:
Journalist Sanjay Kabir pointed out that from 14 October onward, Delhi–NCR remained in the “poor” or “very poor” AQI category for 53 consecutive days, reflecting an alarming health emergency. - The Aravalli Crisis:
Becoming emotional during her remarks, Meenu Ghai warned that the recent Supreme Court decision could pave the way for the irreversible destruction of the Aravalli range. She reminded that mountains hold a sacred place in Indian cultural consciousness and urged citizens to sign the ongoing petition to protect them. - Visual Evidence:
The panel screened investigative videos showing illegal mining, deforestation, and ecological collapse — leaving the audience shocked by the scale of environmental degradation in the Aravalli region. - Citizen Action:
The panel underscored the continuing efforts of People for Aravallis to protect India’s oldest mountain range, which functions as an ecological shield for Delhi–NCR.
Closing the session, moderator Ashish K Singh quoted Mahatma Gandhi:
“The Earth has enough for everyone’s need, but not for greed.”
Festival Hosts, Production & Volunteers
The sessions over both days were hosted by Simran (AAFT), Akriti Tiwari (SACAC), Nivritti Khatri (AAFT), and Abhai Singh Tanwar (SACAC).
Production and coordination were handled by Krish and Nisha Gupta, while volunteers Vitasta Bakshi, Unnati Boyat, and Reva Pal (K.R. Mangalam University) played key roles in ensuring the smooth running of the festival.
Conclusion — Toward an Environmentally Conscious Citizenry
The festival concluded with a vote of thanks by Daljeet Wadhwa and Ashish K Singh, who expressed gratitude to all attendees, panelists, students, filmmakers, faculty members, technicians, and volunteers for contributing to this collective movement for environmental awareness.
With two days of impactful films, inspiring discussions, and deep youth engagement, ALT EFF Delhi 2025 emerged as a powerful reminder that cinema is not just art — it is a catalyst for awareness, reflection, and meaningful change.
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