Timbaktu Collective, Cause to Connect Honoured at 19th Kirloskar Vasundhara International Film Festival
The Timbaktu Collective and Cause to Connect were honoured with the Kirloskar Vasundhara Sanman and Kirloskar Vasundhara Mitra awards respectively as the 19th Kirloskar Vasundhara International Film Festival (KVIFF) concluded at the Pune International Centre in Pashan on Saturday.
The two-day festival brought together environmentalists, conservationists, students, filmmakers and nature enthusiasts for discussions, film screenings and activities focused on environmental conservation.
The Kirloskar Vasundhara Sanman, which recognises organisations creating large-scale environmental impact, was presented to The Timbaktu Collective. The organisation has worked with thousands of marginalised families in drought-hit Anantapuramu through community-owned cooperatives, alternative banking and organic farming institutions.
The Kirloskar Vasundhara Mitra award, which recognises individuals, grassroots leaders and community champions, was presented to Cause to Connect for its conservation work. Its flagship initiative, Hunnar Gurukul, provides hands-on vocational training in carpentry, masonry and bamboo craft.
Arti Kirloskar, Director, SL Kirloskar CSR Foundation, said, “Today’s awardees demonstrate the dedication, innovation and perseverance needed to meet environmental challenges. Their work inspires communities and proves that every effort, big or small, can make a lasting difference. The festival’s student programmes help grow environmental awareness among young people. Through Kirloskar Vasundhara, we stay committed to raising awareness, encouraging dialogue and driving action across society.”
The festival also featured a dedicated student programme involving students from C.B. Tupe Sadhana Kanya Vidyalay, Loyola High School and St. Joseph High School. The programme included environmental film screenings and activity-based learning led by Nidhi Bennur, Co-founder at The Youth Cosmo, and her team.
For the wider community, the festival featured a folk dance by the Korku Tribal Community from Melghat, environmental films including Down the Drain, This Mortal Plastik and Would You Still Love Me If I Was a Sticky Frog?, followed by the feature film Humans in the Loop.
A student skit, Plastic: From Wonder to Monster, and immersive experiences including a Virtual Trash Walk and Virtual Forest Walk were also part of the programme. Expert panel discussions led by Ecological Society followed the film screenings.
The festival also included an Eco-Bazaar featuring sustainable products, eco-friendly innovations and community-led initiatives.
Jagdish Purandare, CEO, SL Kirloskar CSR Foundation, said, “This year’s festival reflects the strength of collaboration in advancing environmental awareness. We are grateful for the support of our partners, Ecological Society and The Youth Cosmo, whose efforts helped create an engaging and impactful programme. By honouring environmental champions and creating opportunities for learning and dialogue, KVIFF continues to encourage people from all walks of life to become active stakeholders in protecting our planet.”
The festival was held under the theme ‘Brought to You by Earth’ and marked the return of KVIFF in an in-person format. Since its inception in 2007, Kirloskar Vasundhara has developed into an environmental awareness platform bringing together citizens, experts, conservationists and changemakers.
