CMS VATAVARAN is an International Environment and Wildlife Film Festival and Forum held in India. This festival aims to bring about a change in perception, practice and policy on environmental issues across the globe. CMS VATAVARAN is a unique initiative of Centre for Media Studies (CMS). In 2002, CMS committed itself to a process animated by a few, really abstract, ideals. Even as the natural world seemed to reach the end of its carrying capacity, environment concerns seemed restricted to a few. CMS took the road less travelled and conceived an innovative idea to address these concerns. The dream was to make environmental concerns a priority through a platform that was not only exciting but also deeply enriching. The aim was to create a platform for practitioners to interact with people to make the entire effort collaboration. The rich experience of CMS in environmental issues and the urge to go “Beyond Research” sowed the seeds of CMS VATAVARAN – a pioneering international festival of environment and wildlife films. Based on extensive research, this festival (competitive and travelling) was initiated for encouraging environment films and forums that result in perception, practice and policy change. Today, CMS VATAVARAN festival has become one of the most prestigious film festivals across the globe and has successfully positioned India as a vibrant destination for environment and wildlife filmmaking. A survey conducted in early 2011 with filmmakers ranked CMS VATAVARAN amongst the top two Environment and Wildlife Film Festivals in the world
