CMS VATAVARAN was initiated in the year 2002 with the following objectives.

• Enhance understanding, appreciation and shift in attitudes towards the natural world and its conservation through films and environment forums

• Increase space for environmental issues in mass media and evolve a nationwide environment outreach framework

• Strengthen collaboration between individuals, government departments, scientific institutions and universities on sustainability, environment, technology and policy making

• Galvanise civil society and evolve a platform for public opinion and decision making processes

• Nurture a new breed of “alternate filmmakers” to widen public dialogue and debate

• Stimulate production of high quality films in the fields of wildlife, nature and environment

The 5th CMS VATAVARAN, the premier Environment and Wildlife Film Festival from India is making a global impact. Though it is aimed at sensitising people about their rich environmental heritage and the need to conserve it, CMS VATAVARAN is not just a film festival. It is a unique environment platform that makes it many things rolled in one – it is a people’s festival of environment and wildlife, a specialist programme for environmentalists and filmmakers, a vocational and skill development activity, a business and networking facilitator. CMS VATAVARAN is a visionary initiative of CMS, an independent Delhi-based, pan-India, multidisciplinary organisation. For over two decades, CMS has been engaged in research, policy advocacy, advisory services and programme evaluation in the domains of environment, social issues, public health, governance, development communications and transparency.

CMS VATAVARAN is organised biennially in New Delhi, following the format of being competitive one year and travelling the next. The 4th edition of the Festival, held in 2007, attracted 275 entries from 18 Indian states and 18 foreign countries. In 2008, the Festival travelled to eight cities across the country, witnessing participation from over 80,000 people. Recognising the need for society to move beyond awareness to action, the Festival theme this year is ‘Sustainable Technologies’, so that pressing environmental issues such as climate change could be addressed.

This year the Festival expects 500 films from across the world and more than 1000 delegates (experts, environmentalists, journalists, government officials, filmmakers). As part of the Festival, a bouquet of programmes consisting of workshops, symposiums, eco-tour, exhibition, expos, journalists’ congress, panorama, expert talks will be organised. With a total prize money of INR 20,00,000, 25 awards in 16 Indian categories and 10 awards in 9 international categories, the Festival promises to be both educative and exciting. So, send your film to this acclaimed and exciting film festival and become a part of the movement to conserve environment. Win awards.

Let your green film travel far and wide and make an impact through screenings at engrossing travelling film festivals, theaters and multiplexes, legislatures, via telecast on prime channels, and be an environmental education tool in universities, colleges, institutions and schools and civil society groups.

All environmental enthusiasts should attend the work shop on Confronting Climate Change-Towards Carbon neutral Indian cities, Ecotourism and see and enjoy the environment and wild life films at CMS Vatavaran, Environment &Wild life Film Festival, from 27^th October to 31^st October, at India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 2009. Contact: Indira Sampath, Manager, Operations, Hyderabad, Mobile: 09490942168

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