Al Sidr festival returns to Abu Dhabi with environmental message
Three-day film festival brings international cinema, conservation research and discussions about repairing humanity’s relationship with nature
ABU DHABI, UAE (MNTV) — The Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival has returned to Abu Dhabi for its fifth edition, bringing documentaries, animation and discussions exploring humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The festival runs from October 9 to 11 at New York University Abu Dhabi.
According to The National, this year’s theme is “Mend,” inspired by the Arabic word rammim, meaning to repair or restore something valuable. Organized in collaboration with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the festival aims to encourage audiences to reconsider their relationship with the environment.
Artistic director Nezar Andary said the festival seeks to encourage curiosity and reflection rather than overwhelm audiences with environmental warnings. He emphasized that meaningful environmental change depends on human action, not cinema alone.
Among the program’s major screenings is Ghost Elephants, a National Geographic documentary directed by Werner Herzog. The film receives its Arabian Gulf premiere at the festival, exploring the search for elusive elephant herds in Angola.
The program also features Fire of Love, the Oscar-nominated documentary about French volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft. Their scientific research and fascination with volcanoes form the center of a story connecting scientific discovery with personal relationships.
Other selections include Fungi: Web of Life, narrated by Icelandic musician Björk, and Chuuraa, a short film by Evgenia Arbugaeva. The festival will also screen Time and Water, a 2026 documentary by Sara Dosa, at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and NYU Abu Dhabi.
The program extends beyond wildlife and conventional environmental documentaries. A restored edition of Shyam Benegal’s 1976 film Manthan examines rural dairy cooperatives, collective action and social change, demonstrating how questions of class and community can intersect with environmental concerns.
The festival will also present episodes of Conservation Diaries, a documentary series following scientists, volunteers and conservationists working across the UAE’s wadis, mangroves, coastlines and rural communities. The series highlights practical efforts to protect biodiversity.
Since its establishment, the festival has attracted more than 5,000 attendees and engaged approximately 2,000 students from more than 20 Abu Dhabi schools. Organizers hope the screenings and educational activities will encourage lasting environmental awareness.
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