Shriya Pilgaonkar and Pan Nalin join jury for ALT EFF 2025, India’s leading environmental film festival

October 16, 2025 - 2:05 PM IST

The All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF), widely regarded as India’s biggest environmental film festival, is set to return for its 6th edition from December 4 to 14, 2025. The 11-day festival will kick off in Mumbai and feature a diverse lineup of feature films, documentaries, short films, and student films from India and around the world — all highlighting themes of environmental protection, climate change, sustainability, and conservation.

Shriya Pilgaonkar and Pan Nalin join jury for ALT EFF 2025, India’s leading environmental film festival

This year, ALT EFF announced that actor Shriya Pilgaonkar and filmmaker Pan Nalin have joined the festival’s jury panel. Their addition reinforces the festival’s vision of bringing together cinematic excellence and environmental awareness.

As one of the few large-scale environmental film festivals in India, ALT EFF has continued to adopt a decentralized model, making its films and conversations accessible across both urban and rural regions of the country — and internationally. In a new initiative for 2025, the festival introduces ALT EFF Watch Parties, which will allow individuals, communities, and organizations to host screenings in their homes or local venues. This approach is designed to extend the reach of environmental storytelling and encourage community-driven conversations and action.

A message from the festival team

Kunal Khanna, Founder and Festival Director of ALT EFF, shared the festival’s purpose: “ALT EFF was founded on the belief that films can move people and inspire change. Over the last six years, we’ve seen stories from across the world bring audiences together around one shared reality — that protecting our planet is no longer optional, it’s essential. With this year’s watch party format and decentralized model, we’re bringing that message directly into communities, where it can have the most impact.” Anaka Kaundinya, Programming Director, added: “Every year, our programming reflects current environmental conversations — from climate anxiety to innovation and resilience. What makes the 2025 lineup especially meaningful is the mix of global and grassroots stories. These films represent the full spectrum of humanity’s relationship with nature. We’re excited to see audiences engage with these stories — whether in theatres, at local screenings, or through the new watch party format.”

Shriya Pilgaonkar on joining the jury

Shriya Pilgaonkar, who is joining the ALT EFF jury for the first time, expressed her appreciation for the festival’s impact: “Being part of ALT EFF feels incredibly meaningful to me. As artists, we often talk about the power of cinema to connect people — but what I admire about ALT EFF is how it channels that power into empathy and awareness. Environmental issues aren’t distant; they shape our daily lives. This festival reminds us that stories can change how we think, feel, and act. I’ve already learned so much from watching some of the incredible films in the selection.”

Pan Nalin on storytelling and sustainability

Acclaimed filmmaker Pan Nalin, known for Samsara and The Last Film Show, also joins the jury this year. He reflected on the festival’s deeper purpose: “The environment has always been a part of my storytelling — from the deserts of Kutch to the Himalayas. Nature defines who we are. ALT EFF is more than just a film festival; it’s a movement that reconnects us with the world we’re part of. It’s one of the few spaces where filmmakers and activists come together to reflect on our choices, our impact, and our future. I look forward to watching bold, honest, and thought-provoking films that challenge us to live more consciously.”

What to expect from ALT EFF 2025

With a powerful film lineup, new interactive formats, and a growing community of filmmakers, artists, and changemakers, ALT EFF 2025 aims to deliver an inspiring cinematic experience rooted in creativity and climate consciousness.

Whether through theatres, local screenings, or community-driven watch parties, this year’s festival invites audiences to reflect, engage, and take action for a better future.

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