EMMRC University of Kashmir’s “Chinar Man: the silent planter” won the Jury award at the inaugural “Prithvi Film Fest 2026”

EMMRC Srinagar, University of Kashmir’s “Chinar Man: the silent planter” won the Jury award at the inaugural “Prithvi Film Fest 2026” organised by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow.   Produced by EMRC and directed by Inam ul Rehman with cinematography by Gulzar Ahmad Dar, the film focuses on Abdul Ahad Khan, a daily-wage labourer from a border village of Kupwara. Khan plants Chinar trees that take 150 years to mature. With no institutional backing, no conservation grant, and no legacy plan, Khan continues to plant Chinars anyway.According to the Jury of the Prithvi festival, “The documentary is an example of a simple yet effective storytelling which keeps the audience engaged throughout.” The Jury also praised its sound design by Akhtar Khuroo, while Talib Hussain provided technical assistance.

This documentary has also advanced to semi finalist status at the “New York Global Short Film Fest 2026”.

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