MAKING FILMS FOR WWF

J ayansh Bhartiya, 17, a student of Modern School, Delhi, began his film career by participating in the annual FILMIT competition held by Intach, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. Hewas12. In the years that followed he won Intach awards for films on teaching children about their cultural roots and about the symbolism of colours in our country. While volunteering with NGO Indus Action, his storytelling took a new direction. “I made a film called SLATE, about a school-going boy who gifts a slate to a girl who can’t afford school,” Bhartiya says. While making this documentary last year, he had what he calls a life-changing experience.

“I met a boy who told me that his dream was to eat a big meal. I can never forget the look in his eyes when he said this.” Since then, Bhartiya has made films about subjects that matter.

In September, to help raise awareness on “the issues that urban trees face”, he made a series of documentaries called The Speaking Tree series, which the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has used to promote their Adopt a Tree campaign.

“Jayansh’s films are special because they are relatable,” says Vrinda Nagar, communications officer at WWF India. “He is now working on our Water-Tales campaign on wetlands. His film is currently being edited and will be published on our social media pages this month.”