Mumbai, November 28, 2025 – Filmmaker Kiran Rao and actress Dia Mirza are sharing their excitement as their respective films, "Humans in the Loop" and "Panha," have been selected for the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF). ALT EFF, known as India's largest environmental film festival, is scheduled to take place from December 4th to 14th across 33 cities in the country.
The festival is dedicated to showcasing cinema that promotes environmental change, with a special focus on films centered around wildlife, sustainability, and climate action. The festival will open on December 4th with "Turtle Walker," a documentary backed by Zoya Akhtar.
Kiran Rao's "Humans in the Loop," a critically acclaimed drama, has garnered attention for its insightful portrayal of the intersection between technology, labor, and indigenous knowledge systems. The film follows the story of Nehma, an Oraon Adivasi woman from Jharkhand, who works as an AI data-labeller. Through Nehma's experiences, the film explores the often-unseen human labor that powers "smart" technologies and raises questions about the future being built with technology.
Rao, who previously directed "Laapataa Ladies," India's official entry to the 2024 Oscars, expressed her admiration for "Humans in the Loop," noting its emotional depth and thought-provoking nature. She emphasized the film's important global message about technology, labor, and the knowledge systems that are at risk of being lost. Rao also serves as an executive producer for the film.
Dia Mirza's "Panha," a Marathi language short film which she produced, also joins the festival lineup. Dia Mirza has a long-standing commitment to environmental advocacy. In 2024, Mirza served as a jury member for ALT EFF. She has often spoken about the power of cinema to evoke empathy and inspire change, lauding ALT EFF for fostering dialogue around sustainability and the future of the planet.
ALT EFF is committed to using cinema to inspire positive change and raise awareness about environmental protection. This year, the festival is expanding its reach by holding screenings in smaller towns and villages, alongside screenings in tier-1 cities. The festival will also utilize AI technology to translate foreign language films into regional languages to enhance accessibility for diverse audiences. The festival also highlights regional-language films, ensuring its message reaches a wider audience.
"Humans in the Loop" has already received recognition, including the FIPRESCI India award. It has been screened at various film festivals and micro-community events across the country. The film had a theatrical release in select cities in September 2025 and the filmmakers have been inviting audiences to request screenings in their cities.
