Bam-e-Dunya (the ‘roof of the world’), which includes Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, is a hotspot of biodiversity and provides several ecosystem services, especially the waters that irrigate the food baskets and feed millions of people downstream. However, climate change and the pace of infrastructure developments in the region and its implications on conservation and development present diverse subjects for filmmakers, around socioeconomic and ecological impacts and sustainability.

Remote mountain communities that have historically been on the periphery and insulated from change are now rapidly transforming with emerging digital technologies, connectivity, and penetration of market forces. WWF-Pakistan, along with partners including International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Tourism Department Gilgit-Baltistan, Karakoram International University, Gilgit-Baltistan Rural Support Program (GBRSP),  EVK2CNR, Special Communication Organization (SCO), Environmental Protection Agency Gilgit-Baltistan and Alpine Club aim to create a platform for the filmmakers belonging to Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral who are keen on research, stories, documentation of mountain ecology and changes occurring in the mountain regions, i.e., socio-economic, climate change, food security, landscape, tourism, etc.

This space will offer filmmakers a platform to share and discuss local and regional challenges, opportunities, success stories, and provide an opportunity for local researchers and filmmakers to interact, discuss, form networks and identify and act on opportunities for joint ventures while playing a role towards effective policy formulation.

• Submission: Short films including documentaries, fiction, docu-dramas, animation and experimental films of less than 30 mins are acceptable.
• Acceptable themes: Themes related to mountains including culture, adventure, biodiversity, ecosystems, wildlife, land use planning, tourism, agriculture, food, nutrition, migration, women empowerment, heritage and trade.
• Geographical coverage: Mainly submissions from Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and other parts of Pakistan.
• We welcome fiction, non-fiction and experimental shorts.
• Film duration: Up to 30 minutes
• Submission format: mp4, avi
• Submission deadline: 25 November 2021
• Announcement of the shortlisted top 10 entries by the Jury: 5 December 2021
• The shortlisted films will be archived at WWF-Pakistan and ICIMOD for advocacy and educational purposes
• Screening and awards: 9 to11 December 2021

• Upload the final video file to the Dropbox/WeTransfer/Google Drive folder.
• Share the link with Nisar Ahmed/Syed Asar Ul Hasnain (nahmed@wwf.org.pk / ahasnain@wwf.org.pk). Those living in Gilgit city can visit WWF-Pakistan's Gilgit office (GCIC WWF-Pakistan Regional Office, Near Supreme Appellate Court, Jutial, Gilgit,  +92 5811 455725)  and can submit their films to the Communication department. Filmmakers need to fill in the form and submit it along with their films.
• Copyrights of all films submitted for this competition will remain with the respective filmmaker. However, by entering this competition, the filmmakers grant the organizers, WWF-Pakistan and partners, to screen their films during and after the competition, as and when required, for non-commercial purposes. The filmmakers will be credited and contacted during such use.