Kartiki Gonzalves Wins Best Documentary Short Film Oscar for Elephant Whisperers

Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga’s Netflix documentary short, The Elephant Whisperers, has won the Oscar for the Best Documentary Short! The film was up against Haulout, How Do You Measure a Year?, The Martha Mitchell Effect and Stranger At The Gate.

“A historic win for India, Indian women, and most importantly for the animals. Kartiki, let’s use this to start a revolution and continue giving a voice to the voiceless,” says Preeta Sinha, founder of One Green Planet.

Source: ABC/Youtube

“I stand here today to speak for the sacred bond between us and our natural world,” Gonsalves said during her acceptance speech, “for the respect of Indigenous communities and empathy towards other living beings we share our space with, and finally, for coexistence.”

She added, “Thank you to the Academy for recognizing our film, highlighting Indigenous people and animals, to Netflix for believing in the power of the film, to Bomman, Bellie for sharing their sacred, tribal wisdom. To Guneet, my producer… and to Douglas Blush, my mentor, and my entire team. And, finally, to my mother, father, and sister who are up there somewhere. You are the center of my universe.”

Producer Guneet Monga took to Instagram to dedicate the award to ‘my beautiful, diverse country, India’. The film made history by winning the first-ever Oscar for an Indian production.

Preeta Sinha, founder of One Green Planet, with Guneet Monda (producer) wearing Stop Fucking With The Planet recycle tee by Tiny Rescue at Soho House NYC.

Speaking on the importance of the documentary to raise awareness for elephants in India, Kartiki Gonsalves told Preeta.

“While most films have focused more on humans being cured by a bond with an animal, humans being harmed by wild animals, or wild animals suffering from human expansion into their territory, The Elephant Whisperers lets viewers understand both the elephant and the human carers with minimal outside interpretation. It portrays the dignity of both the magnificent elephants and the indigenous people who have lived with them and cared for them for centuries.”

“There are many stories of animals being killed and species dying out – but this is a positive story that highlights the beauty of man and animal working together. I believe co-existence is the way we need to move forward into the future, only with mutual respect and co-operation can we save the planet,” she added.

Preeta Sinha, founder of One Green Planet with Kartiki at Soho House NYC.

Gonsalves told Preeta that her next will be on orcas!

“And my next one is on orcas! Love and connection seems to be the way Conservation reaches world audiences towards Conservation,” Gonsalves said.

”It just touched my heart and made me proud to see fellow Indians being recognized on a global platform. Kudos to Guneet and Kartiki!” said Preeta about the filmmakers.

The Elephant Whisperers is available to stream on Netflix!

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