The Ocean Connection

Honavar is a coastal town best known for its scenic roads and pre-wedding shoots. On the Tonka sand spit, a community of fishing families has been coming together to save the nesting ground of the Olive Ridley sea turtle, a Schedule I protected species.

Plans to privatise the beach for a port could destroy the nesting ground and, with it, the next generation of sea turtles in the region. The film follows the community as it protects the turtles: a heartwarming story of how people bond with nature and come together to protect it.

The film premiered at the Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy, Banashankari, Bengaluru, followed by shows at Suchitra and at Renukamba Digital Studio, Malleshwaram. Private screenings followed at Azim Premji University (26 February 2024), in Goa (1 March 2024) and in Mangaluru.

Screenings have been held across Karnataka and Goa. A Kannada version is being streamed on YouTube.

Director: Vikas Badiger · Cinematographers: Manish Jangid, Ashwin Iyer, Vikas Badiger · Music: Sukruth Rao · Aerial cinematographer: Sharan GC · Editor: Vinay Kumar · Edit supervisor: Chandra HM · Executive producers: Sandeep Hegde, Vikas Badiger, Sharan GC

Vikas Badiger started Faces of Bengaluru, a photo blog of the people of the city. In 2020 he quit his job to become a documentary filmmaker. His films, including The Spirit Circle, Namma Blues and Gokarna, Beyond the Beaches, tell stories of change.

Supported by CSR donors including Malnad Naturals, Vayavya Labs and CanvasJS.