NAGARI 2023
RECLAIMING THE URBAN COMMONS
India’s rapid expansion has created, and been supported by, a complex series of infrastructural systems. The country’s burgeoning population, record of urbanisation and changing consumption patterns have created growing amounts of waste that demand our attention. There is a need to understand the complex processes involved in the waste we generate and how it has now infringed on the urban commons.
As the film competition continues to expand its exploration into the daily lives in urban India, Nagari 2023 will focus on Reclaiming the Urban Commons through the lens of waste management – its generation, management, disposal, treatment and the individual stories of people that are affected by it. The Nagari films aim to explore strategies and solutions to the various issues that are linked to the theme.


GOLDEN BIOSCOPE AWARD
Film By: Shikher Pal
Mentored By: Rajula Shah
JURY CITATION:
“हसरतें बसरत” (Hasratein Basrat) stands out for its cinematic creativity, skillfully delving into the complexities of urban commons. Its thought-provoking storytelling navigates seamlessly through issues of waste, politics, and social equity, intertwining them with mythic threads of history. The film sheds light on the past’s significance in shaping the future, particularly evident in the rise and fall of the mound in Jajmau, Kanpur – the leather city of India.
With powerful characters and a satirical touch, the film immerses the audience in the lives of tannery workers living beside the infamous mound and the harsh realities they have to face. The film’s cinematic language, both lyrical and appealing, elevates its narrative, creating a compelling exploration of the past and the present.

SILVER BIOSCOPE AWARD
कार्य प्रगति पर है (A WORK IN PROGRESS)
Film By: Oshee Johri and Nipun Prabhakar
Mentored By: Rajula Shah
JURY CITATION:
“कार्य प्रगति पर है” (A Work in Progress) adeptly confronts a significant issue plaguing our country – construction waste, a formidable obstacle to our development. Its approach is subtle, never overtly forceful, delicately unfolding the narrative against the backdrop of Bhopal, where the city itself becomes a character in this compelling story. A striking irony unfolds as houses are dismantled only to give rise to new ones.
The film’s cyclical nature highlights the resilience of often-overlooked women builders reclaiming urban waste. While urging immediate action, the film instils hope through the endeavours of these citizens, transforming adversity into opportunity. The portrayal of people navigating a challenging situation and creating something meaningful resonates powerfully, ensuring that both the film and its theme have a lasting impact on the viewers.

JURY COMMENDATION AWARD
Film By: Ayush Ray and Ritam Sarkar
Mentored By: Bina Paul
JURY CITATION:
“Junk-e” shines a spotlight on individuals actively engaged in attending to the looming crisis of electronic waste management and its segregation in Marghat, Kolkata. Through a nuanced portrayal, the film artfully navigates the urban landscape, employing interviews and storytelling.
Junk-e’s ability to engage with its subject matter in a subtle yet impactful manner distinguishes it, making it a noteworthy exploration of the intersection between the city, electronic waste and the people engaged in its management. Through the exploration of e-waste management as a means of livelihood, the film successfully gives a voice to these individuals engaging with it daily, beautifully portraying their interactions.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Film By: Kabir Naik and Kuhu Saha
Mentored By: Avijit Mukul Kishore
People from diverse backgrounds share a common connection with their city’s creek, collectively narrating its story. “अवनति (Avnati)” unveils the tragic decline of the St. Inez Creek in Panaji, Goa. Enriched by a compelling Konkani soundtrack, the film captures emotional ties between the city and the creek, exposing its degradation due to sedimentation, pollution, and neglect. The film also inspires hope through restoration initiatives, urging collective responsibility.
The first-ever in-person award ceremony of the Nagari Short Film Competition was held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, on January 22, 2024. The event was attended by over 150 people, consisting of members from this year’s teams, our past teams, mentors, jury members, key personalities and guests. The recording was also posted on our YouTube channel, garnering over 1500 views in just 24 hours! The event schedule included the screening of prize-winning films from our past editions, a panel discussion, followed by the announcement and screening of this year’s award-winning films.
To watch the Nagari Award Ceremony 2023, click here.
PANELISTS
Activist | Educator
Communications Chief | WHO
Cinematographer
Director | CCF

Compelling documentary film that sheds light on the pressing issue of a dumpyard causing significant problems for its neighbouring communities. This thought-provoking documentary aims to raise awareness by following through (a family living near the dumpyard) about the detrimental consequences of improper waste management and the urgent need for effective solutions.

India’s Ganesh Chaturthi, a popular festival in Mumbai, has evolved into a commercial event, causing an increase in waste generated during the 10 days. This includes Plaster of Paris (P.O.P), florals, thermocols, and chemical colours. The festival has led to concerns about the environment and the use of P.O.P over Shadu Mati, which is harmful to the environment and humans. A marine biologist explains the impact of these materials on marine life and the Koliwadas community, who depend on marine life.

The film traces the life of concrete waste that emerges from demolishing sites in Bhopal. The contractors give away many reusable materials for cheap to those in need, or to the 2nd hand shops in the old city where they can be purchased. The municipal corporation then picks the unusable leftovers to be processed in a plant some 15 Kms away from the city.

The film is a real-time account of clearing the Okhla landfill first as a distant observer and then also putting the people and stories of the space at the center. The film also tries to humanize the space and what it means and takes to clear out the space that has become the epitome of everyday life in the City.

Amidst Shergaon’s scenic beauty in Arunachal Pradesh, Ledo Thungon, an ordinary man and his community confront the waste surge from tourism. Despite officials’ indifference, he brought together everyone to tackle waste management. This film captures their journey to safeguard Shergaon’s innate environment from the encroaching waste threat, acting pre-emptively to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

As the city of Guwahati grows in size and population, three young artists explore the subject of urban waste through their individual art forms to create awareness among the public.

This film is about a modern day threat which has been created by our human civilization. The story revolves around a nine year old student from a marginal background who attends an unique school that accepts plastic as fees and teaches recycling. One fine day, the child encounters an unusual event which raises his concern about his own beings and cherished surroundings.

This film is an observational exploration of informal collection and recycling of e -waste in Kolkata, a growing hub for toxic wastes. The film presents both the microscopic view of the immediate health hazards and the macroscopic picture of the long term impact on the global climate crisis.

In the midst of a decaying landfill community in Deonar, 14-year-old Sarfaraz dreams of education and becoming a photographer. His pursuit of a brighter future unveils the community’s struggle to break free from scavenging, highlighting the overlooked challenges of waste mismanagement and prevalent airborne diseases in the dumping area.

The film looks at waste in the form of large concrete structures that we find around us, either unused or in various states of abandonment. Often deceptively arresting to look at, the film questions whether or not this can be considered as waste. In examining its causes and possible repercussions, the film wishes to open a conversation around the unbridled concretisation we see around us today and the things that drive it.

This film is based on Karez and underground water structure that has been revived recently as community commons that serves as a source of water for several communities along its path. The film is a story told from the point of view of the Bhooñyar (Karez itself) since its inception and talks about the feeling and experiences throughout its journey.

This film is about the discoveries of the various facets of ‘Manek Chowk’ in Ahmedabad and how the dynamics of space reclaim the urban commons. It will investigate the informal, unwritten waste management and disposal processes and explain how this one-of-a-kind system can exist, fulfil the needs and be self-sustaining.

The Begur Temple’s reclamation and preservation is a testament to a preserved past, and the Begur lake is a promise for a future to be built. The Begur fort though, is waiting to be reclaimed. This film will be a documentation of these spaces and the people that inhabit them

A short film featuring women of all ages and backgrounds sharing their stories on menstrual waste in India. Discover their struggles with waste generation, disposal, hygiene, and potential solutions. An eye-opening exploration of a critical issue calling for attention and action.

Forgotten by their own city in its blind race for urbanisation, the people of Manohar Nagar and Makhdoom Nagar live atop a mound at Jajmau which claims a history of 3400 years.Surrounded by garbage dump yards and tannery water dumped in Ganga, the people of Manohar Nagar guard a picturesque landscape while themselves living in destitute conditions.

Film wades through Cochin with contrasting narratives as toxic air stroked the city for days arising from the fire at Brahmapuram waste management plant. One, that of planners and implementers of the waste management plant and other that of the victims. Victims of health hazards, displacements and failed urban design.

In the heart of Goa’s capital city, Panaji, the once vibrant St. Inez Creek has transformed from a vital freshwater source to a neglected drain. Through the personal narratives of diverse individuals, this documentary explores the creek’s decline, its impact, and the resilient efforts to restore it, inspiring a call to action for our shared environment.
FILMMAKERS
हसरतें बसरत (Hasratein Basrat)
Oshee Johri and Nipun Prabhakar
कार्य प्रगति पर है (A Work in Progress)
Ayush Ray and Ritam Sarkar
Junk-e
Kabir Naik and Kuhu Saha
अवनति (Avnati)
Biswajit Das, Sumit Das, Raghu Sinha and Manab Jyoti Baruah
Fused City
Jatin Parveen, Nitesh Sharma and Partham Kar
गौरैया (Sparrow)
Shoonya R, Maliha Sultan and Akash Gaur
Raat ki Jagmag
Shruti Parthasarathy, Vikash Tiwari and Abhishek Patil
Samayada Harivu (Flow of Time)
Sarpil Nandan Deka, Anurag Barman, Dhiraj Rabha and Hrishikesh Medhi
Fish and the Friend
MENTORS
Filmmaker | Editor | Producer
Filmmaker | Artistic Director
Cinematographer
Poet | Filmmaker
Filmmaker | Writer
RESOURCE EXPERTS
Director | Mumbai Sustainibility Centre
Senior Advisor, Wash and Waste Management
Founder | Stonesoup
JURY
Writer | Filmmaker | Columnist
Anthropologist | Writer | Curator
Documentary Filmmaker
Filmmaker | Producer | Visual Artist | Photographer
Writer | Director | Producer













