Alka Tomar, Festival Director

She heads the Environment Research Group and the ENVIS Centre at CMS. She has conducted several research projects on assessing knowledge, attitude and practice prevailing in communities and formulating communication strategies accordingly leading to change in behaviour.

A post-graduate in Environmental Sciences, her area of specialization includes environmental education, natural resource and solid waste management. With eight years of experience in project planning, design and management, she has conducted research to formulate locale specific conservation education, communication and social mobilization strategies. Tomar also undertakes outreach programmes for creating awareness among students and also to sensitize electronic media practitioners.

Associated with the Vatavaran Film Festival since 2003, Priya has been the in charge of back office management, submissions, maintaining films database, etc. Verma also assists in festival organizing, workshops and promotion campaigns of Vatavaran. Assists in planning and organization of the touring film festival in different parts of India.

Ashwani Sinha has over 10 years of experience in functions ranging from sale of environmental documentaries, footages and photographs, distribution channel management, product development, management of AV resource centers, compilation of information products and training material, and conducting training programmes in AV resource management. He has received training in executive production of documentaries, docu-dramas, game shows etc. from Islamabad, and has produced three documentaries. He has also dubbed 15 films on environment and development in different Indian languages. His parallel interests include public outreach, networking and project planning and development.

Mou Biswas comes from a family of nature enthusiasts, got her masters degree in Marine Zoology from University of Mumbai and has been associated with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai for over a decade now. Biswas has considerable experience in research, content development, communication and public relations. She was also involved in academic research. In her spare time she prefers to volunteer for social causes and environmental issues with NGO's and organisations in both Delhi as well as in Mumbai As the Content Manager of CMS VATAVARAN Film Festival Directorate, she is responsible for publicity & promotion, developing content for the festival, handling media and public relations apart from networking with individuals and organisations at both national and international level for organising the festival.

Ms Kannapiran holds a post-graduate degree in Human Resource Management; a postgraduate diploma in Marketing and Advertising and a graduate degree in Economics & Entrepreneurship and Small Business. She has considerable experience in the development sector and has been involved in community awareness campaigns for environment/ human rights/ disability/ heritage & culture/ rural development issues in India. On the brink of becoming a social activist…..she decided to join CMS to lend her services to the CMS Vatavaran Film Festival Directorate. As Logistics Manager, she mainly takes care of the logistics planning, networking and coordination requirements of CMS Vatavaran.

The System Administrator of CMS, Pathak has considerable experience with media institutes and non governmental organisations. He manages the database and website of Vatavaran.