**Executive Summary**
The Ocean Film Festival of India 2026 is a one-day event scheduled for April 5th, 2026, in Mumbai, organized by Ecofolks in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The festival aims to promote marine conservation through film screenings, expert discussions, and a hands-on maritime experience. Key highlights include a masterclass by "Green Oscar" winner Dr. Deepak Apte and a concluding conservation pledge.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Event Logistics and Morning Sessions**
* **Date and Morning Venue:** The festival takes place on April 5th, 2026, at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo (Mumbai Zoo).
* **Opening Ceremony:** The day begins at 9:00 AM with an official inauguration and welcome ceremony.
* **Film Screenings:** The first half features conservation-themed films across various genres, including *Deepastambh* and *Humpbacks of Goa*.
**Educational Masterclass**
* **Featured Speaker:** Dr. Deepak Apte, a renowned marine ecologist and "Green Oscar" recipient, will lead the core educational session.
* **Masterclass Details:** Titled "Marine Biodiversity: Life Under Water," the session is scheduled from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and is curated by the NFDC.
* **Content Focus:** Dr. Apte will utilize his four decades of experience to discuss coral reef architecture, marine ecosystem beauty, and the link between human survival and oceanic health.
**Maritime Experience and Conclusion**
* **Afternoon Venue Shift:** From 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, the event moves to the Aquasail Sailing Lounge near the Gateway of India.
* **"SAIL for CORALS":** This session transitions from cinematic storytelling to a tangible maritime experience on the open sea.
* **Final Pledge:** The event concludes with the "Save My Ocean, Save My Planet" pledge to foster a unified vision for global conservation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Citizens of Mumbai**
**Impact**
Attendees gain academic insight into marine biodiversity and an opportunity to connect with the local marine ecosystem through both film and sailing.
**Action Required**
Attend the morning sessions at the Mumbai Zoo and transition to the Gateway of India for the afternoon maritime activity; participate in the concluding conservation pledge.
**National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and Ecofolks**
**Impact**
As organizers, they facilitate a platform that bridges the gap between cinematic arts and environmental advocacy.
**Action Required**
Coordinate the curation of the masterclass, manage the dual-venue logistics, and oversee the "SAIL for CORALS" transition.
**Dr. Deepak Apte**
**Impact**
As the primary subject matter expert, he serves as the bridge between scientific research and public awareness.
**Action Required**
Deliver the masterclass on marine biodiversity and share underwater photography and research to highlight the importance of coral conservation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ocean Film Festival of India 2026: A one-day festival dedicated to ocean conservation, featuring film screenings and educational masterclasses to promote marine awareness.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): A government body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that co-organized the festival and curated its masterclass sessions.
Dr. Deepak Apte: A renowned marine ecologist and 'Green Oscar' recipient who conducted the festival's masterclass on marine biodiversity and underwater ecosystems.
SAIL for CORALS: A maritime initiative within the festival designed to foster a direct connection between citizens and the marine ecosystem through a sailing experience.
Mumbai: The central location for the festival, with events held at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo and the Aquasail Sailing Lounge.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Ocean Film Festival of India 2026: Marine
Conservation Masterclass with "Green Oscar"
Winner Dr. Deepak Apte
Posted On: 04 APR 2026 4:26PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 4 April 2026
The Ocean Film Festival of India 2026, organized by Ecolfolks in collaboration with National Film
Development Corporation(NFDC), is an one-day film festival which is dedicated to ocean
conservation. The festival is scheduled on April 5th, 2026, at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical
Udyan and Zoo (Mumbai Zoo), where the greenery will transform as a hub of oceanic
exploration and awareness. In this collaboration of NFDC, the film festival includes the opening
film Deepastambh and a masterclass on the topic "Marine Biodiversity: Life Under Water," which
will be conducted by the distinguished speaker Dr. Deepak Apte, a renowned marine ecologist
and the prestigious Green Oscar ‘Whitley Award’ recipient. With a career spanning four decades
and an incredible 5,000 hours of underwater experience as an Advanced SCUBA diver, Dr. Apte
will share the experiences into the complex architecture of coral reefs and the mysterious
depths of the ocean. As a researcher and accomplished underwater photographer, he will
narrate the story of the silent beauty of marine ecosystems, offering a powerful reminder that
the future of our planet is intrinsically linked to the life we protect beneath the waves.
The festival day begins at 9:00 AM with an official inauguration and welcome ceremony, followed
by a couple of screenings including Deepstambha and Humpbacks of Goa. The Masterclass
curated by the Department of masterclasses and panel sessions of NFDC is scheduled from
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Following this, the program will continue with a rigorous showcase of
conservation films. The festival's first half will be dedicated to the Ocean Film Festival,
showcasing films from various genres and discussions.
The venue for the second half will shift from the zoo to the open sea. Beyond the screen, the
festival transitions into a tangible maritime experience titled "SAIL for CORALS," to be held from
3:30 PM to 6:00 PM at the Aquasail Sailing Lounge near the Gateway of India. This combination
of academic insight, cinematic storytelling, and sailing aims to foster a deep connection between
the citizens of Mumbai and their marine ecosystem.
The event will be concluded with "Save My Ocean, Save My Planet" pledge, reinforcing the
festival’s mission to transform personal stories into a unified vision for global conservation.
* * *
PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/Darshana Rane
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