Documentary Filmmaking
01. Himalaya to Sea, Plastic Free (2021-2023)
The ‘Himalayas to Sea, Plastic Free’ is a National Geographic Exploration project that traveled across the Himalayan regions of India and Nepal in 2021-22, researching plastic pollution impacts in the region and crafting first-person narratives through 18 films that highlight community-led plastic reduction initiatives. The vision for this project is to support the various creative, passionate, ‘start from where you are solutions’ to plastic waste challenges in the Himalayas. In addition to the many challenges of plastic and waste disposal in all developing areas, the remoteness and inaccessibility in the Himalayan region pose unique challenges, including lack of roads; lack of materials recovery infrastructure; lack of recycling infrastructure; vast distances to recover material from on foot; fragile ecosystem considerations; cultural considerations; and more. Yet, people care about the environment and are working on local solutions to end pollution in the Himalayas.
Take it Easy, Easy Does it
TIEEDI (est. 2016) is an ecological forest training center and farm that teaches the art of working with Mother Nature. TIEEDI focuses on permaculture, zero waste, experiential environment education, regenerative tourism, natural farming, decentralized waste management solutions, and sustainable land and building design consultation. 'Take it Easy, Easy Does it' is a film highlighting TIEEDI's on-ground efforts to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. Location: West Bengal, India
Coffee, Culture & Circularity
Kar.Ma Coffee (est. 2012) is a coffee company based in Kathmandu, with locations in Boudha and Lalitpur. The company started with a love of coffee and evolved organically by asking questions about what can be made and used locally. Kar.Ma supports and stewards a sustainable Nepal-grown coffee and coffee culture; and has expanded their network of home-grown circular economy to include upcycling and repurposing of materials with local woodworkers, soap makers, recycled paper makers, potters, seamstresses, and other local makers and artisans. 'Coffee, Culture and Circularity' is a film highlighting Kar.Ma Coffee's on-ground efforts to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. ​ Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Letting the Mountains Breathe
Project Tsangda (est. 2017) is a materials recovery center in the rural district of Leh, that started with the aim of protecting the district’s fragile ecology from the serious threats posed by solid waste, the resulting negative side effects of rapid urbanization and growing tourism. The project has expanded to process the materials of the main urban center and main tourist area in the region, Leh, Ladakh. 'Letting the Mountains Breathe' is a film highlighting Project Tsangda's on-ground efforts to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. ​ Location: Leh, Ladakh, India
Home of the Wind
Greensight Project (est. 2016) is a zero-waste village project that started in Mopungchuket village, with support from Zero Waste Himalayas and the Integrated Mountain Initiative. The village is home to approximately 700 households, and all these members of the community are members of the Greensight project. Since time immemorial, Mopungchuket has been dependent on nature, and this relationship started to suffer with the introduction of packaged foods and other plastics to the community. Zero waste not only is beneficial for the local ecosystems but also preserves their Naga culture, food, craft, and agricultural practices. 'Home of the Wind' is a film highlighting the Greensight Project's on-ground efforts to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. ​ Location: Nagaland, India
Nurturing the Roots
'Nurturing the Roots' is a film highlighting SAGG Ecovillage and Mool Sustainability (est. 2012)'s on-ground efforts. SAGG means ‘nature’ and Mool means ‘roots.’ SAGG is a 3-acre farm and retreat center, started from a vision born through the reflective experience of both leaving and returning home to Kashmir and wanting to revitalize the sustainability practices and wisdom of the Kashmiri people. SAGG welcomes all - and especially youth - to come and learn how to live in balance and interconnection with the environment in Kashmir. SAGG is coupled with Mool and is their nonprofit sustainability research center. These projects aim to expand the conversation and practice related to ecological living and ecological lifestyles. ​ Location: Kashmir, India
Everest, Carry-Me-Back
Sagarmatha Next, Blue Waste to Value, and Moware are sister organizations focusing on solving the waste challenges in the Khumbu region and Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Sagarmatha Next (est. 2022) strives to promote sustainable tourism in the Khumbu region of Nepal through its waste education center, waste-to-art, waste management solutions, and community waste engagement. Blue Waste to Value (est. 2014) is a social enterprise that aims to create value from waste and engages multiple stakeholders (hotels, households, businesses, social enterprises) in creating a system of waste recovery pathways in Kathmandu. Moware Design (est. 2013) stands for Mountain Waste Repurpose. They create aesthetically designed products from upcycled materials recovered from the mountain waste streams, such as turning used wine bottles into beautiful tableware products and non-recyclable HDPE plastic bottle caps into mani stone and Everest region replica souvenirs. 'Everest, Carry-Me-Back' is a film highlighting the joint efforts of Sagarmatha Next, Blue Waste to Value, and Moware Designs to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. ​ Location: Kathmandu and Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
Where There is a Will, There is a Way
Little Green World (est. 2019) is an environmental consulting firm, which provides learning tools to build and adopt sustainable practices (i.e. zero waste practices, reducing ecological footprints) to create one’s own ‘Little Green World,’ that lives in harmony with nature. Initiatives include zero waste training; experiential learning for Ladakhi classrooms; and building passive solar classrooms, zero waste schools, and greenhouses as Sustainable alternatives. 'Where There Is a Will, There Is a Way' is a film highlighting Little Green World's on-ground efforts to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. ​ Location: Ladakh, India
Examining the Dukha of Waste
Deer Park Institute (est. 2006) is a dharma learning center created in the spirit of inquiry and the wisdom traditions, modeled after the Nalanda tradition and the historical Deer Park, the place of the Buddha’s first teachings. Deer Park follows the principles of zero waste in the running of the center including segregation of all wastes and composting. Other socially and environmentally responsible activities include an organic garden, working with local craftswomen on livelihood projects, and sitting with and reflecting on the challenge and ‘dukha’ brought about by waste. 'Examining the Dukha of Waste' is a film highlighting Deer Park Institute's on-ground efforts to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. ​ Location: Himachal Pradesh, India
Protectors of the Himalayas
Zero Waste Himalayas (est. 2010) is a platform for community building, engagement, and sharing best practices on zero waste. ZWH primarily engages with communities in Darjeeling and Gangtok, but increasingly is working with those across the Himalayan region. Each year ZWH has supported the Himalayan Cleanup, waste, and brand audit that generates waste data each year and acts as a catalyst for waste discussion and action in the region. 'Protectors of the Himalayas' is a film highlighting Zero Waste Himalaya's on-ground efforts to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. ​ Location: West Bengal and Sikkim, India
Zero Waste Khangchendzonga
Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee (est. 1996) is a non-governmental organization devoted to conserving the mountain ecosystem of Khangchendzonga’s sacred landscape. KCC believes in nature and culture conservation through livelihood support for the mountain communities, and activities include promoting zero waste to reduce ecological footprints, and homestays to support local livelihoods. KCC also developed a system that enables the tracking and monitoring of the waste that goes into and is carried out of the Khangchendzonga National Park. 'Zero Waste Khangchendzonga' is a film highlighting KCC's on-ground efforts to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. ​ Location: Sikkim, India
Pedal-Powered Waste Reduction
Khaalisisi (est. 2017) is a waste recovery platform to bridge the gap between waste entrepreneurs and waste sellers in Nepal to facilitate efficient waste recovery. Khaalisisi’s emphasis is on data-informed decision-making for waste collection; digitization of the waste sector; education; and strengthening the informal sector. The digitized platform is a means to link informal waste collectors with waste generators (households, businesses, and organizations), in a new layer of collaboration that promotes materials recovery and recycling, rather than sending materials to Kathmandu’s ever-stressed landfills. 'Pedal-Powered Waste Reduction' is a film highlighting Khaalisisi's on-ground efforts to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. ​ Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Shaping the Future of Himalayas
Naropa Fellowship (est. 2017) is a Himalayan graduate Fellowship focused on creating and nurturing agents of change who will work towards fostering social and ecologically responsible entrepreneurship in the Himalayas, that simultaneously preserves the cultural heritage of Ladakh and the Himalayan region. To date, the program has supported approximately 270+ Fellows. 'Shaping the Future of Himalayas' is a film highlighting Naropa Fellowship's efforts to tackle the Himalayan waste problem to tackle the Himalayan waste problem. ​ Location: Ladakh, India
02. Adapting to Change (2019)
'Adapting to Change' is a film documenting the community development projects initiated by NABARD, India. NABARD is the National Agricultural Bank of India, which invests in development projects across rural India. Champawat District in Uttarakhand was one of the least developed in the state and had a high rate of migration. The adaptation to climate change project supported by NABARD here brought reforms by generating employment, improving the availability of water, and providing livelihood opportunities through community participation.
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The film, 'Adapting to Change' was commissioned by NABARD, India, and produced by Srishti Films. As a part of the project, I worked as a cinematographer and editor.
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Location: Champawat, Uttarakhand, India
03. A Himalayan Homecoming (2019)
'A Himalayan Homecoming' is a film based on the Butterfly Festival, initiated by the Titli Trust and Devalsari Paryavaram Sanrakshan. Devalsari is a marvelous forest nestled in the Aglar Valley, Uttarakhand. It has been a biodiversity magnet for various flora and fauna in the region. The Titli Mohatsav festival was initiated as a means of setting up an ecotourism opportunity for local livelihood while preserving the ecology and culture of the region. The film captures the essence and story of the festival as a means of inspiring people to initiate many such development projects.
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The film 'A Himalayan Homecoming' was commissioned by Vikalp Sangam, India, and produced by Srishti Films. As a part of the project, I worked as a cinematographer, editor, and sound designer.
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Location: Devalsari, Uttarakhand, India
04. Bridging Lives (2019)
'Bridging Lives' is a film documenting the community development projects initiated by NABARD, India. NABARD is the National Agricultural Bank of India, which invests in development projects across rural India. 'Bridging Lives' is a heart-touching story of a NABARD-supported suspension bridge over the Bhagirathi River in Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand. Besides connecting the surrounding villages to urban facilities including agricultural markets and educational institutions, the bridge stood as the lone warrior providing connectivity during the floods in 2012.
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The film, 'Bridging Lives' was commissioned by NABARD, India, and produced by Srishti Films. As a part of the project, I worked as a cinematographer and crew member.
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Location: Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, India
05. Water for the Future (2019)
'Water for the Future' is a film documenting the community development projects initiated by NABARD, India. NABARD is the National Agricultural Bank of India, which invests in development projects across rural India. 'Water for the Future' is a film on how a NABARD-supported water treatment plant has helped overcome water scarcity and guaranteed surplus water in Bhiwani district, Haryana.
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'Water for the Future' was commissioned by NABARD, India, and produced by Srishti Films. As a part of the project, I worked as a cinematographer and crew member.
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Location: Bhiwani district, India
06. Melting Ice (2018)
Set in the winter desert of Ladakh, India, Melting Ice is a short documentary film based on Sonam Chondol, a 21-year-old ice hockey player from an isolated village called Tar. She learned the sport at SECMOL, an alternative learning school she joined when she failed her high school exams and the system tagged her as a failure. The film highlights her journey towards her dream of representing the Indian Ice Hockey Team someday. Through her story, we journey across Ladakh and understand the dreams and aspirations of Ladakhi youth, the gaps in the education system in remote regions, and the changing mindset of the older generation in the region.
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Location: Ladakh, India
07. Elements Coconut Oil Factory - PSA for FairTrade India (2016)
FairTrade India commissioned the PSA to showcase their partnering organization- Elements Coconut Factory in Kerala. Srishti Films, in collaboration with the filmmaking program at the Srishti Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, produced the project.
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Crew Members: Nidhi Kulkarni, Riya Kulkarni, Himanshu Bilochi and Devanshi Asher
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Location: Kerala, India
