6th April 2025, Mumbai
The Ocean Film Festival of India 2025, organized by Ecofolks, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), AquaSail Pvt. Ltd., and Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo, brought together ocean lovers, scientists, filmmakers, and students to celebrate and advocate for marine conservation.
Held at the historic 3D Auditorium of the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo, India’s only zoo to successfully introduce penguins, the festival was a continuation of SEAmposium 2.0, furthering its mission to drive action for sustainable oceans.
The event was inaugurated by Shri D. Ramakrishnan (NFDC), Shri Paresh Pimple (Ecofolks), Zia Hajeehboy (Aquasail Pvt. Ltd.), Dr. Abhishek Satam (Zoo Biologist), and Dr. Arpita Sharma (ICAR-CIFE). A special message on ocean conservation was delivered by renowned advertising icon Prahlad Kakkar.
The festival started with Khalasis of Malabar, a film capturing Kerala’s rich maritime traditions, followed by documentaries spotlighting Maharashtra's coastal biodiversity and communities, including Dolphins of Maharashtra and a feature on Achra Creek, Sindhudurg.
A unique masterclass on sailing and women-led ocean conservation was delivered by artist and filmmaker Ms. Dhaniyo Paio. Filmmaker Ms. Leslie’s piece on accessible ocean exploration through scuba diving emphasized inclusivity in marine experiences.
The day culminated in a sailing event at the Gateway of India, organized by AquaSail Pvt. Ltd., where CIFE students actively participated and shared youth-driven messages on ocean conservation.
Through powerful storytelling and immersive experiences, the Ocean Film Festival of India 2025 emerged as a vital platform for dialogue, education, and collaboration—uniting stakeholders across disciplines in the fight to protect our planet’s last great frontier: the ocean.
(ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai)
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