India’s First-Ever Palaeoscience Film Festival ‘Prithvi-2026’ to be Held in Lucknow

Lucknow : In a pioneering move to reshape science communication in India, the country’s first-ever Palaeoscience Film Festival, 'Prithvi-2026', has been officially announced. Anandiben Patel, the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, unveiled the official brochure of the festival at Raj Bhavan, Lucknow.

The momentous occasion was attended by Prof. Mahesh G. Thakkar (Director of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences - BSIP), Dr. Binita Phartiyal (Senior Scientist), and Dr. Nimish Kapoor (Festival Convener and Scientist).

Scheduled from July 23 to 25, 2026, at the BSIP Auditorium in Lucknow, this three-day festival marks a historic milestone as the first of its kind in India and Asia. Dr. Nimish Kapoor, the visionary convener behind the initiative, emphasized that 'Prithvi-2026' aims to bridge the gap between science, cinema, and the public.

• Theme: "Palaeoscience Research and Public Engagement through Visual Media"
• Motto: "Bringing Earth's Stories to Life, Inspiring a Sustainable Future"

The festival is being organized as part of BSIP’s science communication initiative, designed to translate complex scientific ideas into engaging visual narratives about Earth’s history, climate change, biodiversity, and geo-heritage.

The festival will bring together a diverse cohort of scientific filmmakers, science communicators, independent directors, researchers, and students from across the country.

Films will be showcased across seven distinct competitive categories, including:

• Documentaries and Short Films
• Animations
• Science Fiction
• Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability
• Geo-Heritage and Geo-Tourism

Beyond film screenings, the event will host a National Dialogue on Earth Science Communication for Public Engagement. This segment will feature panel discussions, masterclasses, and interactive sessions led by prominent scientists, filmmakers, media experts, and policymakers.

Dr. Kapoor highlighted that the curated films will later serve as long-term educational resources for schools, colleges, and scientific institutions, ensuring a lasting impact on science awareness.

The mega-event is being organized by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India) in collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Department of Science and Technology.

(Report by R.L.Pandey)