The University of Jammu just turned into a global cinema hub for the grand finale of the 17th PRAKRITI International Documentary Film Festival. This isn’t your typical movie marathon; it’s a high-stakes competition where filmmakers use their lenses to tackle massive issues like climate change, human rights, and social development. Inaugurated by former Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai, the event emphasizes that films aren’t just for fun—they’re powerful tools that can teach us more than any classroom textbook ever could.
This year’s festival was a true international affair, pulling in 72 entries from across the globe, including neighbors like Myanmar and Bangladesh. Only the “best of the best”—eight selected documentaries—made it to the final screenings. With a Rs 50,000 cash prize on the line for winners in categories like Environment and Development, the competition was fierce. Beyond the awards, the festival set up LED screens all over campus to make sure students and locals didn’t miss out on the action, turning the entire university into an open-air theater for two days of world-class storytelling.
