CMS VATAVARAN is a pioneer in international film festival and forum on environment and wildlife in India. Using films as a window to delve into nature, the festival showcases the best of Indian and International films and documentaries. The festival presents nature stories from all over the world, stories on critical ecological and developmental challenges faced today, some of the most compelling practices as well as enchanting snippets on the diversity of our planet.

CMS VATAVARAN is not just a film festival celebrating the cinematic art of films but focuses more on using the films as a tool and catalyst for creating impact. This unique initiative spearheaded by CMS was rare across the globe and completely non-existent in India. It came at a critical time when across the world, the destruction of the tapestry of life was being orchestrated. CMS VATAVARAN remains resolute to encourage films and forums based on environment, resulting change in perception, practice, policy and governance.

CMS VATAVARAN, through its festival and forum design, brings together some of the best conservation experts and enthusiasts from across the globe. Along with taking the best green films from across the globe to the masses, it has been able to institutionalize strong specialized knowledge networking platforms, forge partnerships, and enhance capacities and expertise.

The main Competitive festival happens in New Delhi every alternate year, where the best entries from all over the world are nominated and awarded. Public screenings are held and a vast range of conservation issues are deliberated among practitioners and people in interactive sessions. The Traveling Festival then follows, where the festival’s vast panorama is shared with people in other cities of the country.

Through more than 3500 screenings across INDIA, CMS VATAVARAN has been able to enhance understanding, appreciation and attitudes towards the natural world and increase space for environmental issues in mass media. Since its inception in 2002, 9 Competitive edition and 8 Travelling festivals in 49 cities of 26 Indian states have been organized. CMS VATAVARAN has now become a movement and inspired many organizations & individuals to use films and film festivals as a medium to catalyze change.

It has reached to more than 5,00,000 people directly. As a result, it has created a strong network of Indian and International filmmakers, policymakers, academicians, research think tanks, environmentalists, journalists, students of all streams, defense & paramilitary forces and nature enthusiasts.