14th CMS VATAVARAN Nomination Jury Concludes at MANUU in Hyderabad
Hyderabad,
14th CMS VATAVARAN Nomination Jury Concludes at MANUU in Hyderabad
900+ films from 82 countries: Hyderabad prepares to host Asia’s largest environmental film festival for the first time, with (58) films nominated for the 14th CMS VATAVARAN.
Hyderabad:
The three-day Nomination Jury process for the 14th CMS VATAVARAN International Environment and Wildlife Film Festival concluded today at the Instructional Media Centre of Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad. Organised from 8 to 10 September 2026, the process was held in partnership between CMS VATAVARAN and IMC, MANUU.
The process was inaugurated on 8 September by Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Honorable Vice-Chancellor, MANUU. The inaugural session brought together Dr. Vasanti Rao, Director General, Centre for Media Studies; Mr. Rizwan Ahmad, Director, Instructional Media Centre, MANUU; members of the Nomination Jury; student jurors; and the jury coordination and technical teams.
"Environmental questions cannot remain confined to classrooms or specialist discussions. Cinema helps young people see these questions in human terms and encourages them to think, question and participate. MANUU is pleased to partner with CMS VATAVARAN and to give our students direct exposure to this international process." said Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice-Chancellor, MANUU.
The 14th edition received more than 900 films from 82 countries across its national and international competitive categories. After the initial peer review, 286 films advanced to the Nomination Jury. Twenty-eight jury members, supported by student jurors and coordinators, worked through seven jury committees to view the assigned films in full and assess them under the Festival's evaluation framework. Following the deliberations, [58] films were nominated for the next stage of the awards process.
"Receiving more than 900 films from 82 countries tells us how widely environmental stories are now being documented. The Nomination Jury had the difficult responsibility of giving 286 films the time and attention they deserved. The films selected here will bring many different environmental realities, voices and solutions to audiences in Hyderabad this December." said Dr. Vasanti Rao, Director General, Centre for Media Studies, and Global Co-Chair, IUCN #NatureForAll.
The seven committees included filmmakers, media professionals, academics and representatives from the conservation and social sectors.
"The strength of the process was the seriousness with which every film was watched and discussed. The jury looked at cinematic merit as well as the honesty, relevance and clarity of each environmental story. The nominated films reflect strong work from India and many other parts of the world." said Shri Suresh Chukkapalli, Chairperson of the Nomination Jury.
As the programme partner and host institution, IMC, MANUU provided the screening spaces, technical facilities and on-ground coordination required for the simultaneous work of all seven committees. MANUU students also participated in the process as student jurors and coordinators.
"For three days, the Instructional Media Centre became a shared working space for cinema, education and environmental thought. Our students did not simply support an event; they observed a professional jury process, engaged with films from across the world and became part of a serious conversation on environmental communication." said Mr. Rizwan Ahmad, Director, Instructional Media Centre, MANUU.
The closing ceremony was held on 10 September at IMC, MANUU. The dignitaries on the dais were Prof. Sk. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Registrar, MANUU; Shri Suresh Chukkapalli, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Hyderabad and Chairperson of the Nomination Jury; Dr. Vasanti Rao, Director General, Centre for Media Studies; and Mr. Rizwan Ahmad, Director, IMC, MANUU.
During the ceremony, Dr. Vasanti Rao presented the Festival and Nomination Jury report. All members of the seven jury committees, student jurors, jury coordinators and technical coordinators were felicitated for their contribution. Shri Sabyesachi Bharti, Deputy Director, CMS, and Global Coordinator, IUCN #NatureForAll, delivered the vote of thanks.
The nominated films will proceed to the Awards Jury and will be presented at the 14th CMS VATAVARAN as part of the Hyderabad ReGeneration Forum, scheduled from 2 to 5 December 2026 at TaramatiBaradari. Both the Forum and the Festival will be held in Hyderabad for the first time.
Built around the theme Regenerative Development - Going Beyond Sustainability, the four-day Forum will connect environmental films with public dialogue and practical action. Its programme will include national dialogues, curated screenings, the ReGeneration Showcase, a Solutions Lab and a Partnership Lounge, bringing together filmmakers, policymakers, conservation organisations, educators, young people and community voices.
