A still from Wild Tamil Nadu
| Photo Credit: Nature inFocus
Just over a decade ago, a festival to celebrate the work of Nature photographers was organised. Titled Nature inFocus, it aimed at bringing together several artistes to collaborate rather than just exhibit their work. Little did the team know that this festival would evolve “into something far more all-encompassing, a place where individuals from various professions come together because of their mutual appreciation of the natural world”, says founder Rohit Varma. Now, the two-day event also brings together filmmakers, storytellers, scientists, conservationists, activists, journalists, legislators, eco-influencers, students, and naturalists.
Dia Mirza at an earlier edition of Nature inFocus
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The upcoming edition slated for next week is all set to host these experts by way of talks, panel discussions, film screenings, workshops, a photography exhibition, art installations, and a music concert by Indian Ocean.
Rohit says the festival — themed on Blurring Boundaries — has been offering fresh concepts, tales, and experiences, and 2025 is no different. “Building on 10 years of discussions, ingenuity, and community, this year’s event feels particularly exciting as it introduces new viewpoints through speakers, films, and talks. These components are tied together by this year’s theme that invites viewers to recognise the close connection between our lives and the natural world,” he says of the edition they started organising six months ago.
Participants at an earlier edition
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Elaborating on the theme, Rohit says it acknowledges that Nature is a part of our lives, cities, and cultures rather than existing outside of them. “The theme also recognises the frequent overlap between human and wild spaces, demonstrating that coexistence is a fact of life. By highlighting tales of individuals, groups, and even urban areas that are intricately entwined with the natural world, this theme hopes to serve as a reminder that conservation is not limited to far-off forests but rather is ingrained in the places we call home.”
A session in progress
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Speakers at the event include Sudhir Shivaram, Aathira Perinchery, Vidya Athreya, Dhritiman Mukherjee, Romulus Whitaker, Janaki Lenin, and the Bedi Brothers. Rohit’s not-to-miss itinerary for this year inclues film screenings, which he says are an excellent way to see how stories of Nature are being told through various lenses. And if you are a first-timer, “attend a few talks to hear from prominent figures in wildlife and conservation; and explore the Photography Awards Exhibition, and catch the Bengaluru premiere of Wild Tamil Nadu, a film that beautifully captures the State’s extraordinary biodiversity.” Also part of the line-up are screenings of Cauvery: A River of Life and several other short films that highlight unique conservation stories from across the country.
A still from Wild Tamil Nadu
| Photo Credit:
Nature inFocus
A new addition this year is the Conscious Corner pavilion that showcases conservation projects and sustainable brands. The Naturalist Academy, India Hemp Organics, Nature Conservation Foundation, Current Conservation, Tinctoria, and ReCharka are just a few of the companies and organisations that will be showcased this year, says Rohit, who plans on making this a regular feature at future festivals. “Visitors have the opportunity to learn about and interact with goods, concepts, and movements that support an environmentally conscious way of living at the pavilion,” he adds.
On November 15 and 16 at Jayamahal Palace. Tickets on festival.natureinfocus.in/2025/
Published – November 03, 2025 02:40 pm IST