ALT EFF 2024 at Courtyard Koota

Exploring Film and Conversation

A specially curated evenings of thought-provoking films and discussions as part of ALT EFF 2024. This unique program brings together captivating documentaries and short films that delve into pressing environmental and social themes, resonating with our audience in the intimate, creative atmosphere of our arts space.

Featuring films that highlight ecological preservation, gender dynamics, cultural resilience, and historical reflections, followed by interactive post-screening discussions. This year’s selections include stories from Bundelkhand's brick kilns, the Soliga adivasis of Karnataka's forests, and an exploration of natural beauty through the lens of George Orwell's writing.

Whether you're passionate about environmental issues, intrigued by human stories, or simply looking to experience thought-provoking cinema, ALT EFF 2024 at Courtyard Koota offers an enriching space for reflection and dialogue.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE : ALT EFF 2024 x Courtyard Koota 

Films scheduled

Films scheduled for 27th November 2024

The Giants presents a compelling, poetic exploration of the deep connection between trees and humans through the life of Bob Brown, an iconic Australian environmental activist. The film chronicles Brown’s journey from a passionate advocate to a pivotal figure in green politics, using his story to highlight the life cycle of the ancient forests he fiercely protects.

As a revered gay icon and environmental folk hero, Brown’s activism is juxtaposed with the majestic life of the trees he champions. The Giants offers an epic and cinematic portrayal of his efforts, showcasing how he mobilised people power to bring environmental issues to the forefront of political discourse. The film serves as a masterclass in activism, sparking an urgent dialogue about the right of forests to exist and encouraging viewers to contemplate their role in the ongoing environmental movement.

Films scheduled for 29th November 2024

The film follows a group of brick-makers from Bundelkhand to a kiln in Bindki, UP. The team’s interactions with the female workers provide an exploration into the personal spaces within the brick kiln. They befriend Gaura, Keshkali, and Ramsakhi, connecting with them on issues related to family, parents, and partners. The friendship and the characters’ effervescence and strength inspire the team to build a story around their lives. The documentary is created by a team of women from diverse backgrounds, who bring experience in storytelling about gender, caste, class, climate change, and sexuality through a feminist lens. This experience reveals the valuable lessons learned from these women workers, particularly their navigation of work and life in the brick kilns. Through everyday activities and conversations, the film offers insight into economic vulnerabilities, such as debt, in the rural areas of neoliberal India.

Tomorrow, the Burning Heavens delves into the dramatic epoch of the early 1560s, marking the onset of the ‘Little Ice Age’. During this period, eerie celestial phenomena illuminated the skies over Germany and Switzerland, sparking widespread apocalyptic fears. The film revisits these historical anxieties, once vividly depicted in hand-coloured woodblock prints, and juxtaposes them with contemporary observations of artificial winter landscapes in modern ski resorts. By blending past visions of cosmic catastrophe with the present-day technological manipulation of winter environments, Bloching's work explores the evolving relationship between image-making, technology, and faith amidst ongoing environmental crises. Through a compelling visual narrative, Tomorrow, the Burning Heavens reflects on how historical fears and technological advancements shape our perceptions of nature and the impending challenges of climate change. This cinematic piece offers a poignant commentary on how dreams and nightmares of the past continue to influence our understanding of environmental issues today.