Turtle Walker, an evocative environmental documentary presented by Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, and Taira Malaney, in collaboration with the Oscar-winning HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, continues to make waves on the global festival circuit. After its acclaimed world premiere at DOC NYC 2024, the film has travelled across continents, earning widespread praise for its storytelling and stunning visuals.
The documentary is now set to open the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF), India’s foremost celebration of environmental cinema, running from December 4 to 14, 2025. Known for its decentralized and impact-driven approach, ALT EFF brings together diverse voices and visionary filmmakers to spark conversations around climate change, sustainability, and conservation.
Turtle Walker marks the directorial debut of Taira Malaney, and chronicles the extraordinary journey of Satish Bhaskar, India’s pioneering sea turtle conservationist. In the late 1970s, Bhaskar set out alone along the vast Indian coastline, dedicating his life to understanding and protecting these gentle marine beings. Through breathtaking imagery and intimate storytelling, the film captures both the fragility and the resilience of nature while highlighting Bhaskar’s unwavering devotion to his cause.
The film’s international acclaim includes screenings at the Raindance Film Festival (UK), the Hamptons International Film Festival, and a special showcase at the United Nations Ocean Conference. It has been honoured with several prestigious awards — including Best Film in the International Competition at AFO, the Conservation Award at the International Ocean Film Festival, and dual wins at the Jackson Wild Media Awards for Conservation and Grand Teton, the highest honours in environmental filmmaking.
Director Taira Malaney shared, “We are so honoured to open ALTEFF 2025 with Turtle Walker. Satish Bhaskar’s story has filled me with wonder and hope for our marine world.”
Festival Director Kunal Khanna added, “This film embodies what ALTEFF stands for — stories that reconnect us with nature and inspire meaningful action.”
Producers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti called the film “a tribute to a man’s quiet heroism” and “a reminder of the beauty and vulnerability of the living world.”
With its soulful narrative, mesmerizing visuals, and urgent call for conservation, Turtle Walker promises to be a landmark cinematic experience at ALT EFF 2025.
