TheInterviewTimes.com | New Delhi/Lucknow | 25 July 2026
PRITHVI 2026 Strengthens the Dialogue between Science, Cinema and Society; NDFF Plays a Significant Role as Film Partner
Article Summary
PRITHVI 2026, India’s first palaeoscience film festival, concluded in Lucknow, uniting science, cinema and society. Organized by BSIP with NDFF as Film Partner, the three‑day event showcased documentaries on biodiversity, climate change, geology and conservation. A national panel, moderated by Ashish K. Singh, emphasized cinema’s power to transform science into human experience. Sessions highlighted AI, fossils and environmental challenges. The festival reinforced cinema as a vital tool for science communication, public engagement and cultural dialogue.
Key Highlights
- India’s First Palaeoscience Film Festival – PRITHVI 2026 organized by BSIP, Lucknow.
- NDFF as Film Partner – Strengthening dialogue between science, cinema & society.
- Documentary Showcase – Films on biodiversity, climate change, geology & conservation.
- National Panel Discussion – “Cinema transforms science into experience,” moderated by Ashish K. Singh.
- Focus on AI & Science Communication – Masterclasses on fossils, biodiversity & environmental challenges.
- Valedictory Ceremony – Eminent scientists, theatre personalities & cultural figures graced the finale.
PRITHVI 2026: India’s First Palaeoscience Film Festival
The three-day PRITHVI 2026 – The Palaeoscience Film Festival of India & National Dialogue on Earth Science Communication, organised by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, concluded successfully on Saturday.
The New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF) participated in the landmark national initiative as a Film Partner, contributing actively towards strengthening the dialogue between science, cinema and society. PRITHVI 2026 is India’s first national initiative dedicated to promoting Earth Sciences through documentary cinema, visual storytelling and meaningful public engagement.
Over the three days, the festival showcased documentary films focusing on biodiversity, climate change, palaeosciences, geology, natural heritage and environmental conservation. These films demonstrated how compelling visual storytelling can simplify complex scientific concepts and make them accessible to wider audiences. The concluding day particularly focused on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), science communication and cinema, alongside expert masterclasses and discussions on biodiversity conservation, fossil studies and contemporary environmental challenges.
One of the major highlights of the festival was the national panel discussion titled “Science Communication for Public Engagement: Media, Academia and Cinema in Dialogue,” moderated by Mr. Ashish K. Singh, Founder & General Secretary of the New Delhi Film Foundation. The discussion brought together scientists, academicians, filmmakers and media professionals to deliberate on how collaborative efforts can make scientific knowledge more engaging, accessible and relevant to society.
Opening the discussion, Ashish K. Singh remarked,
“Cinema transforms science into experience.”
He observed that while science discovers, education explains and media disseminates knowledge, cinema has the unique ability to transform scientific ideas into human experiences that inspire curiosity and emotional engagement.
He further emphasized that meaningful cinema is not merely a medium of entertainment but a powerful instrument for nurturing scientific temper, encouraging critical thinking and strengthening public dialogue.
The panel featured Er. Abdul Rashid Bhat (Filmmaker, EMMRC, University of Kashmir), Ms. Preeti Rawat Kanaujia (Senior Programme Director, Centre for Environment Education), Dr. Avinash Kumar (Scientist ‘E’, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India) and Dr. Jagvir Singh (Scientist ‘G’, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India).
The session was chaired by Prof. Kiran Lata Dangwal and Dr. Sourabh Malviya of the University of Lucknow. The panellists highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration among scientific institutions, academia, media and filmmakers to promote scientific literacy and public participation.
The festival concluded with a grand valedictory ceremony presided over by Prof. Mahesh G. Thakkar, Director, BSIP and Festival Director. Padma Shri Dr. Anil Rastogi graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while noted theatre personality and actor Ms. Sujata Mehta attended as the Guest of Honour. Dr. Nimish Kapoor, Festival Convenor, reiterated that films and creative visual media are among the most effective tools for communicating Earth Sciences to society in an engaging and accessible manner.
NDFF considers its participation in PRITHVI 2026 a significant milestone in its continuing efforts to promote meaningful cinema as a medium of knowledge, awareness and social engagement. Through initiatives such as Talk Cinema On The Floor (TCOTF), thematic film festivals, screenings, workshops and public conversations, the Foundation remains committed to fostering collaborations that connect cinema with education, science, culture and society.
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