‘TURTLE WALKER’ OPENS ALT EFF 2025 WITH A STIRRING CALL FOR CONSERVATION

Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti bring their creative force to a powerful new documentary set to headline this year’s All Living Things Environmental Film Festival

Turtle Walker, the compelling documentary backed by Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Taira Malaney, and the Oscar-winning HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, has been selected as the opening film of the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) 2025, running from 4 to 14 December. Known for spotlighting urgent environmental narratives, the festival will launch its line-up with Malaney’s profound homage to Satish Bhaskar, India’s pioneering sea turtle conservationist.

The film traces Bhaskar’s extraordinary expeditions along India’s coastlines during the late 1970s, where he immersed himself in remote beaches to study and protect endangered sea turtles. His tireless efforts, long before conservation became a national priority, are brought to life through intimate storytelling and archival depth.

Since premiering at DOC NYC in 2024, Turtle Walker has travelled across the global festival circuit, earning acclaim and notable honours including the Conservation Award at the International Ocean Film Festival and both the ‘Conservation’ and ‘Grand Teton’ awards at the Jackson Wild Media Awards.

Festival director Kunal Khanna expressed deep admiration for the film, saying,“Satish Bhaskar’s story is not just about conservation, it’s about commitment, humility, and the power of one individual to change the course of environmental history.”

Zoya Akhtar called the documentary “a tribute to a man’s quiet heroism,” adding, “Satish Bhaskar’s journey reminds us how deeply special every living being on this planet is. We are excited to have it showcase at ALT EFF — a festival that supports and champions the environment and wildlife.”

Director Taira Malaney shared that working on the film “instilled a deep wonder for our marine world — and a renewed sense of hope at a time when I needed it most.”

Producer Reema Kagti described the project as “a reflection of both the fragility and resilience of nature,” noting that ALT EFF is “a great platform for this Indian-rooted story to be told.”

With its blend of emotion, environmental urgency, and a legacy that reshaped India’s conservation landscape, Turtle Walker promises to open ALT EFF 2025 with a profound reminder of the quiet heroes who protect our planet’s most vulnerable lifeforms.

Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti