All Living Things Environmental Film Festival 2024

The All Living Things Environmental Film Festival, which began in 2020, is India's largest festival dedicated to environmental cinema. It aims to promote discussions on important topics related to nature, the environment, and climate change through film. Now entering its fifth year, the festival has assembled an impressive jury led by actress and activist Dia Mirza, with director Richie Mehta serving as its ambassador. This year the festival is set to take place from 22nd November to 8th December and has 72 films being screened this year as a part of it. 

This year's ALT EFF features a variety of films, including International Feature Films, International Short Films, Environmental Journalism, Indian Feature Films, Indian Short Films, Student Films, and Animated Films. Each program showcases the determination, dedication, and optimism of the creative community, especially in the face of the ongoing climate crisis.

Highlights:

Some Thoughts on the Common Toad - Narrated by Oscar and BAFTA winning actress, Tilda Swinton
Some Thoughts on the Common Toad is a compelling cine-collage manifesto that defends the essence of beauty in an age marked by political cynicism and environmental alienation. Drawing inspiration from George Orwell's thought-provoking essay, the film features a poignant narration by Tilda Swinton, whose voice brings a profound depth to the visuals. Through a rich tapestry of images and sound, Svatek explores the significance of the common toad as a symbol of natural beauty and ecological importance.

Wild Summon - Oscar Nominated in 2023 for Best Animated Short
Wild Summon is a natural history fantasy that chronicles the dramatic life cycle of wild salmon, portrayed in human form. Through mesmerising imagery and a narrative voice by Marianne Faithfull, the film immerses viewers in the salmon’s epic journey from freshwater birth to oceanic adulthood and back to their origins. This BFI short film intertwines myth and nature, exploring the profound connection between these remarkable creatures and their environment. The film’s rich visual storytelling and evocative narration offer a unique perspective on the wild salmon’s timeless odyssey.

Foragers - A film by an influential Palestinian Visual Artist
Foragers depicts the dramas around the practice of foraging for wild edible plants in Palestine/Israel with wry humour and a meditative pace.?Shot in the Golan Heights, the Galilee and Jerusalem, it employs fiction, documentary and archival footage to portray the impact of Israeli nature protection laws on these customs. The restrictions prohibit the collection of the artichoke-like ’akkoub and?za’atar?(thyme), and have resulted in fines and trials for hundreds caught collecting these native plants. For Palestinians, these laws constitute an ecological veil for legislation that further alienates them from their land while Israeli state representatives insist on their scientific expertise and duty to protect. Following the plants from the wild to the kitchen, from the chases between the foragers and the nature patrol, to courtroom defences, Foragers captures the joy and knowledge embodied in these traditions alongside their resilience to the prohibitive law. By reframing the terms and constraints of preservation, the film raises questions around the politics of extinction, namely who determines what is made extinct and what gets to live on.

Jamna - The River Story
Jamna – The River Story takes an in-depth look at the critical state of Delhi's Yamuna River, a once-pure waterway now facing severe ecological collapse. This 38-minute documentary explores the historical neglect and current mismanagement that have contributed to the river's decline. Through interviews with experts and personal testimonies, the film uncovers the systemic indifference of authorities and questions public apathy towards this environmental crisis. Narrated by Shyam, a local boatman whose life is intertwined with the river, the film highlights the Yamuna's deep cultural significance and the devastating impact of its degradation. The documentary is propelled by the unprecedented floods of 2023, which serve as a stark wake-up call. It emphasises the urgent need for action to protect and restore the Yamuna, stressing its importance for ecological balance, cultural heritage, and economic stability.