Coral Woman, Elephants In My Backyard win big at All Living Things Environmental Film Festival

The winners of the first edition of the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) were announced on 5 December, the first day of the event. The festival was held virtually and winners selected by a jury that comprised filmmakers Satyanshu Singh, David Martinez, Monika Naranjo Gonzalez, Sudheer Palsane, Sophy Sivaraman and Akanksha Sood Singh.

Among the Indian films, the Bhoomi Award for Best Indian Feature was conferred upon Coral Woman directed by Priya Thuvassery. The feature traces the filmmaker's journey with Uma, a certified scuba diver, and explores the underwater world and the threat to coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar, India. 

The Bhoomi Award for Best Indian Short was awarded to Elephants In My Backyard, directed by Vikram Singh, which contemplates the future of elephants in India which is at stake due to growing conflict with human beings.

The 5Hills Award for Best International Feature was awarded to Sockeye Salmon directed by Dmitriy Shpilenok while The Love Bugs directed by Allison Otto and Maria Clinton won the 5Hills Award for Best International Short.

The Red Earth Award Jury Special Mention award was given to Kokoly, a documentary on a Vezo fisherwoman from southwest Madagascar directed by Garth Cripps and Paul Antion.

The closing ceremony will be held on 13 December and will aim to address pertinent concerns and look towards initiating a dialogue on how to shape the motivation to act, and inculcate hope in the ALT EFF audience to act. The festival hopes to call people into action at the ceremony and begin a conversation on the future of the climate.