Living Things Film Fest: Top Picks On The Climate Crisis

The All Living Things Environmental Film Festival is India's largest environment cinema-based festival. It was launched in 2020 to use cinema as a medium to discuss vital environmental topics such as nature, environment, and climate change. The festival, now in its fourth year, has a prestigious jury comprising of Oscar-winning filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves, David Holmgren, co-originator of Permaculture in the world, Satyajit Bhatkal, director of Satyamev Jayate with Aamir Khan, and Dr. Mike Pandey, India's most renowned environmental filmmaker. The festival features over 60 films from 50 countries and will be held from December 1 to 10. The festival will use a hybrid model, including in-person screenings across cities in India and a virtual leg of the festival.

The ALT EFF festival this year features a wide array of films, including those across International Feature Films, International Short Films, Indian Feature Films, Indian Short Films, Student Films and Animated Films. Each program offers a selection of films that embody the creative community's determination, dedication, and optimism in the face of the looming climate emergency.

We have compiled a list of the year's most interesting films, focusing on their insights into the climate crisis and environmental dedication.

“Deep Rising” (2023)

Deep Rising, a documentary narrated and produced by Jason Momoa, sheds light on the crucial link between the deep ocean and the sustenance of life on our planet. The film also chronicles the journey of mining startup The Metals Company as it strives to secure funding, gain public support, and obtain permission from the International Seabed Authority to mine large areas of the Pacific Ocean floor.

“We Are Guardians” (2023)

Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and Academy Award winner Fisher Stevens, "We Are Guardians" is a captivating documentary that follows the struggle of two Amazon Rainforest protectors, Marçal Guajajara and Puyr Tembé. Through their stories, the film highlights the importance of the Amazon Rainforest in maintaining a stable climate and the devastating effects of deforestation on the environment, economy, and beyond. The movie employs a character-focused approach to storytelling, making the issues more relatable and tangible.

“Pleistocene Park” (2022)

In the film, Russian geophysicist Sergey Zimov and his son Nikita are undertaking a project called Pleistocene Park. Their objective is to restore the ecosystem of the Ice Age "mammoth steppe" and prevent a catastrophic feedback loop that could lead to runaway global warming. They are gathering giant woolly beasts and transporting them to a remote area in Siberia using low-budget means. The audience will discover if two Russian scientists can prevent a global environmental catastrophe and revolutionise humanity's relationship with nature.

“The Recycling Myth” (2022)

The plastic pollution crisis has become a major concern worldwide. Despite this, the leading consumer goods brands claim to have a solution: recycling. However, the reality is that our plastic packaging is still more likely to end up being burned or dumped rather than recycled. The oil, packaging, and consumer goods industries use the recycling narrative to deceive the public and continue polluting without accountability. The film exposes the truth behind the recycling fairytale and how it is being exploited to benefit these industries.

“Dear Future Children” (2021)

“Dear Future Children” is a documentary film directed by Franz Böhm, the Hot Docs Director award winner. The film sheds light on young activists from around the globe, exploring their daily lives and the impact their activism has on them. It is a co-production between Germany, Britain, and Austria and features the stories of three young activists from Hong Kong, Uganda, and Chile.

“Against the Tide” (2023)

The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2023. The story follows two Indigenous fishermen from Mumbai struggling to make ends meet due to a dying sea. As they try to provide for their families, their friendship starts to crumble as they take different routes to cope with their dire situation.

“The Leopard's Tribe” (2022)

The documentary showcases the protests against the Aarey metro car shed project in Maharashtra. The Mumbai authorities planned to cut down thousands of trees to expand the mass transit system. The forest is home to the Warli tribe, consisting of over 10,000 people, who were in a scuffle to protect both the forest and the leopard, which the tribe worships.