Green shoots

When we think of climate change, what images come to mind? As news of extreme weather events — floods, heatwaves, cyclones and thunderstorms — continues to surround us, we witness floods sweeping away homes and hurricanes dismantling entire ecosystems.

Amidst these alarming scenes, where does one find hope? With COP 29 underway in Azerbaijan, where global leaders are gathering to seek solutions and climate reduction targets slipping further from reach each year, hope can feel elusive in the face of the climate crisis. The All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) is one of the avenues that continues to look for hope amidst reports of severe climate change.

“Our goal is to use the emotive power of film to evoke environmental awareness and inspire action. Film is such a powerful storytelling medium and we’re leveraging it to make people think and act differently towards the environment,” says Kunal Khanna, director of the festival.

Following a decentralised format, ALT EFF choses not to confine screenings to one city. This year, the festival will host over 100 screenings across India, along with around 750 school screenings to reach younger audiences. “We choose films that highlight environmental issues, human stories, and solutions. It’s about finding the right mix of impactful, inspiring, and actionable stories,” highlights Kunal.

The fifth edition of the film festival will take place in four separate locations in the city — Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Bangalore Creative Circus (BCC), Medai and Courtyard Koota — starting on November 22. Manisha Vinod, co-founder of Bangalore Creative Circus (BCC), a key partner, explains that the film lineup reflects pressing issues like climate action, waste reduction, regeneration, soil erosion and water conservation — topics that align closely with BCC’s own environmental mission.

“Watching a film together creates a shared experience, which makes it easier for people to express their perspectives and emotions,” shares Manisha, adding, “One memorable screening was Fight with Care, which sparked a profound discussion. It covered how a community’s livelihood — based on fishing — was destroyed by industrial pollution. The film triggered stories and insights from viewers about similar things they’ve witnessed.”

The film curation process is meticulous, involving hundreds of submissions from around the world. “It’s a lengthy but vital process. We start in January, scouting and accepting film submissions,” Kunal explains. This year, the programming team reviewed approximately 400 films, ultimately selecting 72 that best align with the festival’s mission. Highlights include The Climate Baby Dilemma, which explores the ethical question of bringing children into a world under environmental duress; Maya Mercury, following an African conservationist’s journey; and Stubble:The Farmer’s Bane, which examines the contentious politics surrounding stubble burning in North India. “The films we select aren’t all doom and gloom; they often showcase small but impactful changes happening around the world. These stories show that even individual actions can lead to meaningful change. There’s a long road ahead, but we want people to leave our screenings feeling hopeful and motivated to make a difference.”