The Babul Eco Film Festival (BEFF) is an annual event held primarily in Hyderabad, India, around World Environment Day.
BEFF is dedicated to raising environmental awareness through cinema. It showcases films addressing Ecology, Biodiversity, Sustainability, Conservation, Wildlife, Ecotourism, Climate Change, Climate Action etc., complemented by interactive “eco-activities” side-events designed for education and entertainment. Featuring film screenings, discussions with filmmakers, and short film contests, BEFF serves as a platform to engage the public in critical environmental issues, promoting consciousness and action.
History – the story so far
Babul Films Society non-profit ngo was established in 2012 with the goal of creating awareness and implementing sustainable solutions for environmental issues. The organization actively engages with local communities, schools, and corporate partners to promote green initiatives. Babul ngo is a registered 12A and 80G organization with CSR1 and NITI Aayog Darpan portal. Babul non-profit is rated by GuideStar India.
The flagship event BEFF – Global Babul Eco Film Festival has so far successfully completed 8 editions. Started with the Biodiversity film festival during the COP-11 of Convention on Biological Diversity CBD, Hyderabad 8 – 19 October 2012; it took the shape of a regular international film festival devoted to green films. BEFF further evolved into a carnival like celebration with the addition of games and activities related to Ecology in the form of Side Events. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the 4th and 5th edition of BEFF are held as a combined festival during December 2021. After the main festival happens in June, it travels to different cities of India. Films are specially curated to suit a particular day related to Environment and for the audience of the City. The focus is on educational institutions like Schools, Colleges, Universities, Institutions etc., Community screenings are also held with respective focus of thematic films.
The 9th edition of BEFF is scheduled for June 2025.
Babul ngo has got eNGO Challenge; Earth Day Network, TSPCB Award and other recognitions.
Aspirations – future projections
BEFF: Virtual / hybrid festival where the filmmakers get some revenue; streaming platform fees are met; the audience get value for money and the festival ie., BEFF recovers the costs.
BEFF has ambitious plans to launch a virtual Environmental Film Festival in addition to the present onsite version making it a hybrid model. This offers immense potential to amplify eco-awareness while fostering a sustainable revenue model. By leveraging technology and strategic planning, BEFF wants to expand its influence, support filmmakers, and educate audiences effectively. This model ensures lasting impact, empowering communities to embrace environmental consciousness through powerful cinematic experiences.
All this can not be translated into reality without YOUR help. We seek partnerships with screening venues, Nature Lovers, green film makers Cinebuffs, CSR corporates, Donors, Governments at different levels, etc.,
Give a little, Change a lot – support now for a livable present and a future.