Best of the Festival Award
Will be awarded to the best overall production chosen from the Indian Award Categories by the Jury to honour work which reveals a fascination with its subject, rendered on screen with style, truthfulness and integrity to its sources.

In each given below category, the best of film will be given INR One Lakh, trophy and citation

2009 Festival Theme: Climate Change and Sustainable Technologies
Awarded to a production focusing on adoption of sustainable technologies in almost all areas of human living, including energy generation, water use, building construction, health, food production, transportation and mobility, commerce and industry etc.

2009 Focus: Natural Heritage Conservation
Awarded to a production which captures the terrestrial or aquatic sites or features, including riverine, wetland, coastal or marine areas, along with their varied biota, processes and occurrences, that are essentially nature’s creation and / or have ecological, scientific, cultural, spiritual or aesthetic significance for the present and future generations, and deserve conservation action.

Climate Change
Awarded to the production which contributes greatly to the current scientific understanding of climate change, its impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, water, food security, health, human settlements, especially in the coastal areas in the years to come or global politics of climate change.

Ecotourism
Awarded to the production that highlights the work of a leading catalyst individual or organization that has made significant contribution towards the development of ecotourism & responsible travel, improved local well-being, promoted ecological and attitudinal change in tourism.

Environmental Conservation
Awarded to the production creating awareness about the environmental issues concerning the natural world i.e. pollution, waste management, mining etc thereby focusing on combating destructive development projects, influencing environmental policies and striving for environmental justice.

Forest for Life
Award will recognize a film which highlights the role of forest in protecting fragile ecosystems, watersheds and freshwater reservoirs, store houses of rich biodiversity in the ecosystem. The production highlighting combating desertification, preventing erosion problems, other protective functions, climatic change and acting as carbon reservoirs and sinks, socio-economic importance at the national and local levels, including wild relatives of important crop species are also eligible. Films can also look at social forestry, afforestation, forest management and conservation strategies, traditional and contemporary.

Livelihood
For the programme which highlights those fighting for protecting the natural assets such as land, water and forest, which are so intrinsically linked to their livelihood and survival. Best practices or sustainable livelihood or grassroots innovations will also be considered.

Nature
Awarded to the most spectacular film providing an insight into the behavior of a particular species either plant or animal or other non-human living creatures in their natural habitat or ecosystem that reveals information or throws new light into some aspect of it which is either new to people or never filmed before.

Water for All
For the best programme educating people about water sources, pollution, conservation, social and management issues, corporatization, water conflicts or solutions.

Wildlife Conservation
Awarded to a production that most effectively sensitizes audiences about social, environmental, economic aspects of man and wildlife relationship. The films can depict successes, conflicts, trade, crime, wildlife governance, legislations, court interventions, or profile the great defenders of wildlife in the country.

Low Budget Films Award
Will be awarded to the best production by an individual or an organisation which conveys the message of environmental conservation and has been conceived and produced with limited economic resources not exceeding INR 50,000/-.

In each given below category, the best of film will be given INR Fifty Thousand, trophy and citation

Technical Excellence Awards
• Best Cinematography
• Best Story
• Best Editing

Policy Change Film Award
Will be awarded to the production that has created an impact on the government policies, rules and regulations regarding environmental or wildlife conservation.

Environmental Journalist Award (Print and Electronic)
Awarded to an individual for excellence in environmental reporting (either print or electronic) that contributes to public awareness and understanding of environmental issues.

Public Service Announcements (PSA)
Messages, short or promotional films, commercials or advertising campaigns that educate or inform the public at large. Duration not more than 180 seconds. The programme must highlight the issue or convey a conservation message.

Student Film
For documentary or short film or experimental work produced by a student or a group of students during their course of study.

Films for Children
For the programme that most effectively kindles an appreciation of the natural world and its conservation amongst the young audience.

Amateur Film
Awarded to the film produced by an amateur i.e. student/group of students (other than filmmaking student) upcoming filmmaker/individual that most effectively communicates environment and wildlife conservation.

Animation
Awarded to the animation film produced with traditional animation techniques, computer generated images (CGI) or other production methods highlighting concerns on environment and wildlife or promoting conservation efforts.