Cinema has the power to change perspectives, and this year, ALT EFF showed me just how deeply it can impact lives. It was in 2023, that I first heard about the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF), it sounded like just another film festival. 

Last year when Gram Vikas was hosting the festival, I could not be involved due to other engagements. When the first email from my colleague, Thomas, came asking if anyone wanted to become the point of contact (POC) for this year’s festival screenings, I was hesitant at first. However, I soon realised that this was an opportunity not only to step out of my comfort zone but also to gain some wonderful experience. I volunteered to coordinate, and before long, virtual meetings filled my schedule as we meticulously planned this year’s screenings, learning from others on their experiences from last year. 

But this year as I became involved, I realised the film festival was so much more than what I had imagined it to be— an attempt to bring powerful stories to people that might not otherwise have access to them. ALT EFF was not just about films; it was about using cinema to spark meaningful conversations and inspire collective action.

Now in its fifth edition, ALT EFF has carved a niche for itself with a decentralised model that spans over 100 locations across India and 10 internationally. Its mission to make awareness inclusive is evident in 61 of its 72 films available online through a free and pay-as-you-feel model. These films cover a wide range of environmental issues, from climate change to biodiversity loss, and feature stories from diverse communities. This year (2024), Gram Vikas hosted screenings in Kumudabahal (Kalahandi) on November 23rd, Koinpur (Gajapati) on November 30th, and Daringbadi (Kandhamal) on December 6th, bringing these powerful narratives to rural communities where such conversations are rare, yet vital.

Kumudabahal: The excitement of a first-time host

Gram Vikas Shiksha Niketan in Kumudabahal, one of the four Gram Vikas residential schools, was hosting the festival for the first time, and the air buzzed with excitement. The entire school came alive as children decorated the campus with vibrant colors, creating a festive atmosphere. A science fair hosted by children accompanied the screenings, showcasing student ideas and creativity.

With nearly 300 attendees—including students from neighboring schools, community members, and local government officials—we screened 10 films. The film Shera stood out with its story of 11-year-old Monu and his quest to see the elusive leopard in his Himalayan village before his family moves to the city. The relatable storyline of Shera resonated deeply with the children for several reasons. Their close proximity to forests gave them a personal connection to the natural world depicted in the film, making Monu’s journey feel familiar and relatable. The average age of the screening hall also mirrored that of the protagonist, fostering an immediate emotional bond. Additionally, the intense moments in the film captivated the children, evoking a mix of suspense, empathy, and wonder. These elements combined to make Shera the standout film of the curation, leaving a lasting impression on the young audience.

During the post-movie discussion, a student said, “We wouldn’t have learned about these issues happening outside Odisha if it weren’t for this festival. Some stories felt so close to our own lives.” That moment hit me. This was not just about watching films; it was about connecting people to stories that resonate with their realities and inspire action. It creates an even more lasting impact when it is a shared memory.  Seeing the children experience this, I was taken back to my school days remembering the movie screenings I enjoyed in school days with my childhood friends. I fondly remember some of the nuanced moments of laughter we all shared together. I am sure our kids will cherish these moments when they all grow up.

Koinpur: A familiar yet renewed energy

Kumudabahal screening’s success spread word like rapid fire as the event was also covered by local media. A festive atmosphere spread across the Gram Vikas family. Now it was a week to go for the next screening. Building on last year’s success, Mahendra Tanaya Ashram School in Koinpur hosted screenings with renewed enthusiasm. Despite exams running parallel to the event, the children’s excitement was profound. They took ownership of everything—decorations, technical arrangements, and outreach. The teachers only needed to guide them as the students took care of the rest.

This year, the school management emphasised ensuring that children from outside Gram Vikas School received more priority, as such events provide rare opportunities for exposure. We invited children from neighboring schools and members of the Vikalp Learning Groups led by Social Shapes Foundation in the vicinity.

Watching the children interact with the films was a joy. Language of the movies, as most of them were not in Odia, was not a barrier, which somewhere at the back of my mind always stayed as a concern. The visuals carried the strong message we wanted to convey. Itishree Panda from Social Shapes Foundation led lively discussions, helping the audience unpack the themes of the films.

The Koinpur screening featured children from other schools who showcased their science projects related to climate change. A personal favorite was a project by a girl, likely in Class 8, on the medicinal uses of various indigenous plants. In an era dominated by modern medicine, it was incredibly inspiring to see her interest in preserving the roots and values upheld by her community.

Before calling it a day, I had a small interaction with the children to understand their takeaways from the event. One child said, “These films made me see my surroundings differently. I want to do something to protect it.” This profound statement made all the effort worthwhile. The teachers were also very motivated by seeing the response from the children, one of them saying “These kinds of movies touch upon topics that are real and relevant to our lives. These are so different yet important compared to the mainstream movies that children get access to. It was wonderful to see children get such exposure through cinema.” Well, that was it from the two screenings we hosted in our schools, moving ahead to one of the most crucial venues which we all were anxious as well as excited about.

Daringbadi: Taking the festival to the community

This year, we skipped the comfort of our main campus in Mohuda and took the festival directly to the community in Daringbadi district. In the absence of a school setting or a Gram Vikas campus, we opted for a Kalyan Mandap as the venue to host the screening in Daringbadi. At first, I was unsure if this would work, but the support from the organising team proved me wrong.

The youth collective Antarang took charge of mobilisation, inviting students and professors from nearby colleges. Field team and our Yuva Saathis joined hands to decorate the venue, while food stalls set up by Gram Udyog Mitra and others added a festive vibe.

The curated films, tackling complex topics like climate change, deeply resonated with the audience. Among the movies screened, one of the standout films, Jamna – The River Story, delved into the ecological collapse of Delhi’s Yamuna River. The story of Shyam, a boatman whose life is intertwined with the river, and the unprecedented floods of 2023 left a deep impact on the audience.

There was a movie Stubble – The Farmer’s Bane that highlighted the environmental and health impacts of stubble burning in Punjab and its contribution to Delhi’s air pollution crisis. 

A farmer remarked on the parallels between the practices depicted and local habits, sparking meaningful introspection acknowledging that while the intensity may not match Punjab’s scale, the damage caused there is a factor contributing to broader issues like Delhi’s pollution—almost like a butterfly effect. Receiving such responses from the audience were inspiring for the magic of cinema was creating a space for self reflection and reassessment of one’s beliefs.

For the first time, Daringbadi experienced a film festival where people could come and go as they pleased, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Some discussed films in small groups outside, others savoured snacks from food counters, and many enjoyed socialising and connecting.

Finding the answers

By the end of the festival, I had found the answers to the questions I had been carrying. This was not just about films or organising an event. It was about creating spaces where people could come together to learn, reflect, and act. For Gram Vikas, this collaboration with ALT EFF highlighted the importance of engaging creatively with young minds, offering them stories that challenge perspectives and encourage meaningful dialogue. We had ignited at least a thousand minds across the three screenings.

The curated selection of films for ALT EFF 2024 offered a diverse and engaging mix, exploring themes from environmental challenges, cultural heritage, community resilience, to even human-nature relationships. From highlighting grassroots conservation efforts and sustainable farming to celebrating indigenous wisdom and mystical folklore, the lineup balances poignant storytelling with vivid visuals.

Special thanks to the SBI YFI Fellows, Social Shapes Foundation, school management, the Antarang team in Daringbadi, Climate Influencers from Prakruthi Badaluchi without whom we couldn’t have pulled the event together.

Through initiatives like these, we take steps toward building a future where individuals are better equipped to understand the environment they live in and address the challenges it faces today. Looking back at these moments and on a personal note, the film festival created shared wonder, fostering collective reflection, and inspiring joint learning. It was about sparking new ideas to envision a future that is a better place for you, for me, and for all of us.