‘Piplantri: A Tale of Eco-Feminism’ to Make World Premiere at IFFI 2025

By Pickle November 23, 2025

A Rajasthan village’s tradition of planting trees for every girl’s birth inspires a global eco-feminist movement—now celebrated on the IFFI world stage.

A remarkable story of transformation and hope from rural Rajasthan is set to reach a global audience this month, as the feature-length documentary “Piplantri: A Tale of Eco-Feminism” has been officially selected for its world premiere in the Indian Panorama (Non-Feature) section at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa.

Directed by Suraj Kumar and produced by Dr. Garima Singh, the documentary traces the inspiring journey of the Piplantri Panchayat in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district. Once an arid and depleted region, scarred by years of marble mining, Piplantri has been transformed into a lush, green landscape and a beacon of environmental and gender harmony.

At the core of this transformation is Padma Shri Shyam Sundar Paliwal, the former Sarpanch whose personal loss spurred a movement. In memory of his late daughter, Paliwal initiated a tradition of planting 111 trees every time a girl is born in the village. The villagers then nurture these saplings alongside their daughters, forging a powerful connection between community, environment, and gender equity.

“Piplantri is not just a documentary—it is a living example of how vision, empathy, and community spirit can heal the planet,” said director Suraj Kumar. “What moved me most was how the birth of every girl here becomes a celebration of life itself.”

Producer Dr. Garima Singh added, “This film celebrates the women of Piplantri and their deep connection with nature. Their story embodies resilience and renewal. The selection at IFFI is an acknowledgment of the power of local stories to inspire global conversations.”

Produced under Johnsons-Suraj Films International (JSFI), “Piplantri: A Tale of Eco-Feminism” showcases India’s growing voice in the global ecological cinema movement.

The film’s world premiere is scheduled for November 24, 2025, at 9:30 AM at INOX 2 during IFFI Goa.