Ranchi Travelling Film Festival 2026

Roots & Renewal: Indigenous Knowledge, Youth Voices, Planetary Stewardship
10–13 February 2026 | Ranchi

The Ranchi Travelling Film Festival 2026 was a four-day celebration of cinema, dialogue, and learning that brought together filmmakers, students, community members, and environmental practitioners to explore pressing social and environmental issues through the power of storytelling.

Organised by CMS VATAVARAN in collaboration with Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, the festival was endorsed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) #NatureForAll.

Hosted as part of the 12th CMS VATAVARAN – International Film Festival and Forum on Environment & Wildlife, the Ranchi travelling edition focused on amplifying indigenous knowledge systems, youth voices, and collective responsibility towards planetary stewardship.

Partners & Collaborations

State Programme Partners: ASAR, AKHRA, SAARTHI,SEOUL INTERNATIONAL ECO FILM FESTIVAL
Knowledge Partner: Usha Martin University

Festival Programme Overview

10–11 February 2026 | Green Filmmaking Workshop
Venue: Big Hall, Dr. Ramdayal Munda Tribal Welfare Research Institute

The first two days focused on an intensive hands-on green filmmaking workshop led by experienced mentors. Participants explored sustainable filmmaking practices, storytelling techniques, and responsible production processes through guided learning sessions.

12–13 February 2026 | Main Festival Days
Venue: Audrey House, Ranchi

The main festival days featured curated environmental and social issue-based film screenings, panel discussions with filmmakers and experts, and interactive engagement sessions designed to foster dialogue and critical thinking.

📅 Programme Schedule

Festival Highlights

Award-winning film screenings
VATAVARAN Ki Chaupal – dialogues with civil society organisations
Alkapnari Gosha – live tribal painting session
Nukkad Natak (street theatre)
Green Filmmaking Workshop

Explore More

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Tribal Painter

Discover indigenous artists and their living traditions

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Painting Exhibition Catalogue

View the curated exhibition catalogue (PDF)

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Gender & Climate Change: Painting Exhibition

An exhibition of paintings by women artists from Jharkhand on the climate crisis

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Nukad natak and tribal dance

Street theatre performances highlighting environmental themes

Jharkhand Green Ambassadors

Ms. Bitiya Murmu

Environmentalist and Secretary and Chief Executive, Lahanti

For over three decades of unwavering commitment to the empowerment of Adivasi women, protection of child rights, and strengthening of self-governance systems in the Santhal Pargana region of Jharkhand. As the Secretary and Chief Executive of Lahanti, she has led community-driven initiatives addressing gender discrimination, land and inheritance rights, climate resilience, water security, and safe migration—integrating traditional Santhal knowledge into sustainable development practices.

Mr Gulab Chandra Prajapati

Environmentalist

For his unwavering commitment to community-led environmental conservation and climate action spanning over two decades. Through the Damodar Bachao Abhiyan, he has championed river ecosystem protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods rooted in Jal–Jungle–Jameen principles, empowering Gram Sabhas and mine-affected communities while advancing people-centric climate awareness and policy engagement.

The Ranchi Travelling Film Festival aimed to create a shared space where stories rooted in local contexts met global environmental concerns, empowering participants to see filmmaking not only as an art form, but as a powerful catalyst for awareness, dialogue, and action.