A Two-day film festival focused on nature, wildlife, and human coexistence
Somaiya Vidyavihar University successfully hosted Maई Maटी, a two-day film festival and conversation series. The festival was organised by Somaiya Dhwani Chitram, the university’s newly formed film school, the Department of Mass Communication, Somaiya School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and CASCADE (Centre for Achieving Sustainable Climate Action, Development, and Engagement), Somaiya Institute for Research & Consultancy.
Organised as part of the university’s ‘Rachnatmak Saṁvāda’ – Learning & Communicating Sustainability through Aesthetic Art, Expressions and Films, the festival fosters dialogue, awareness, and creative engagement on sustainability, climate action, and human–nature relationships.
The film festival featured a curated selection of films and interactive sessions, including God on the Edge by National Award-winning filmmaker Ashok Patel, examining India’s human–elephant conflict; Return of the Jungle by Emmy-nominated animator Vaibhav Kumaresh, exploring urbanisation and its impact on wildlife; and The Encroachment and The Tales of Tista by Ajoy Sankar Roy, tracing human impact on rivers and landscapes. A workshop, Pocket Cinema for the Planet, led by filmmaker and composer Ashutosh Singh, engaged students and young creators in climate action through visual storytelling.
The festival was held in the presence of Prof Ajay Kapoor, Vice-Chancellor (designate) and Prof ND Gilke, Registrar, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, and was attended by over a hundred students, filmmakers, and educators. The children from The Somaiya School who sang the Maई Maटी anthem, also shared their insights on internalising the relationship of my earth – my mother.
Narayan Parvathy Parasuram, Director of Somaiya Dhwani Chitram, said, “Through Maai Maati, we aim to reconnect participants with the profound relationship between humans and the earth, expressed through storytelling and cinematic craft. Sound and moving image (dhwani-chitram) offer unique ways to internalise and experience ecological and cultural realities. This festival is our attempt to make that connection tangible, immersive, and meaningful.”
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