ALT EFF Delhi 2025 Concludes with Powerful Cinema, Urgent Climate Reflections, and a Hard-Hitting Dialogue on Delhi–NCR’s Ecological Future
TheInterviewTimes.com | New Delhi, 7 December 2025 — The two-day edition of ALT EFF Delhi 2025, jointly hosted by SACAC and the New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF), concluded today with powerful films, meaningful interactions, and a deeply impactful panel discussion on Delhi–NCR’s rapidly worsening environmental and ecological crisis.
Held on 6–7 December 2025, the festival brought together students, educators, environmental advocates, journalists, activists, and filmmakers for an immersive cinematic and intellectual experience.
DAY 1 — Strong Opening with Films, Engagement & Youth Participation
Day 1 of the festival opened with warm welcome addresses by Daljeet Wadhwa and Ashish K Singh (NDFF), reiterating the shared commitment of SACAC and NDFF to promoting environmentally conscious cinema and fostering meaningful cultural awareness.
The opening day showcased a compelling lineup of films curated by ALT EFF. Some of the notable films included:
1. Future Council- Directed by award-winning Australian filmmaker Damon Gameau, the film follows eight children traveling across Europe, meeting world leaders and exploring realistic solutions to the planet’s ecological challenges — told entirely through the urgent and fearless perspective of youth.
2. Ghughuti ki Mala- A delightful animation rooted in Uttarakhand’s Makar Sankranti tradition, the film blends food, folklore, and cultural memory to remind viewers of the deep interconnection between community rituals and respect for nature.
3. Desi Oon- A visually evocative narrative on Deccani wool and the legacy of pastoral communities, presented through the life of Balu Mama and his revered flock. The film questions whether modern society can reclaim the ecological wisdom embedded in traditional shepherding.
Each screening led to curious and meaningful interactions, especially among students, who engaged deeply with the environmental themes and creative storytelling.
Senior journalist, filmmaker, and educator Ramesh Menon addressed the gathering with insightful reflections on India’s environmental challenges, the climate emergency, and the critical need for informed civic participation.
School-Level Photography Competition (Classes 9–12)
Winners were announced on Day 1:
- 1st Prize — Yatharth Chaudhary (Pathways School)
- 2nd Prize — Shaurya Bisht (Pathways School)
The winners were felicitated by OM Systems.
Wildlife Photography Exhibition
An exclusive exhibition featuring award-winning wildlife images and professional wildlife cameras offered students an opportunity to engage closely with conservation photography and field equipment.
Day 1 was smoothly anchored by Akriti, Simran, and Nivritti, whose energy contributed significantly to the festival’s warm, interactive environment.
DAY 2 — Acclaimed Films & A Hard-Hitting Panel on Delhi–NCR’s Ecological Crisis
Day 2 screened four acclaimed national and international films that explored themes of injustice, displacement, forest destruction, urban sewage systems, and human-environment relationships. Some remarkable films included:
1. How Mallah Women Fought Caste Hierarchy and Sex Slavery- A powerful account of over 5,000 fisherwomen in Bihar resisting caste violence, sexual exploitation, and systemic oppression as they fight for rights over local ponds.
2. Blood Wood- A gripping investigation into Europe’s last primary forests in Romania, threatened by commercial logging. The film highlights activism, greenwashing, and the ecological importance of ancient forests.
3. Beneath the Panel: The Hidden Losses of India’s Solar Parks-A probing documentary exploring the unintended social and ecological consequences of India’s large solar parks, particularly in Ramanathapuram, where land loss and water scarcity reshaped entire communities.
PANEL DISCUSSION — ‘Environment, Ecology & the Protection of Our Local Habitats’
The festival’s most anticipated segment featured three distinguished speakers:
- Dr. Apoorv Grover — Ophthalmologist & Member, People for Aravallis
- Meenu Ghai — Sustainability Practitioner & Member, People for Aravallis
- Sanjay Kabir — Senior Journalist, Author & Environmental Writer
Moderated by Ashish K Singh, Founder, NDFF.
Key Highlights of the Discussion
- Air Quality & Children — Dr. Apoorv highlighted that Delhi’s air is now so toxic that infants and small children cannot be safely taken outdoors.He also highlighted the importance of Aravalli Hills in controlling the climate of Delhi-NCR.
- 53 Days of Poor Air— Journalist Sanjay Kabir reminded the audience that Delhi–NCR remained in the “poor” or “very poor” air quality category for 53 straight days after 14th October this year,which is an extremely alarming situation.
- Aravalli Crisis — Meenu Ghai, emotionally moved, warned that the recent Supreme Court ruling opens the door for irreversible destruction of the Aravalli range, calling mountains “sacred” and expressing distress at the thought of their erasure.
- Visual Evidence — The panel screened investigative videos highlighting repercussions of illegal mining, deforestation, and ecological collapse — leaving the audience shocked at the scale of deterioration.
- Citizen Action — Panelists shared ongoing efforts by the People for Aravallis Collective to protect the oldest mountain range of India, which acts as a vital ecological shield for Delhi–NCR.
Moderator’s Closing Note
Ashish K Singh concluded the session with Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring reminder:
“The Earth has enough for everyone’s need, but not for greed.”
Day 2 was hosted by Abhay, who ensured a seamless flow of the event, while the production and coordination was managed by Krish and Nisha.
A Collective Call for Ecological Awareness
The festival closed with thanks from Daljeet Wadhwa and Ashish K Singh, expressing gratitude to attendees, panelists, students, filmmakers, faculty, technicians, and all volunteers who contributed to this collective act of awareness-building.
With two days of powerful films, informed discussion, youth engagement, and urgent ecological insights, ALT EFF Delhi 2025 reaffirmed the power of cinema as a transformative tool for environmental consciousness and social responsibility.