OrvilleBurgos99 at 16:17, 29 October 2025

2025-10-29T16:17:33Z

New page

{{short description|Indian filmmaker}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Akanksha Damini Joshi
| image = Akku Joshi Damini.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Damini Joshi at the first Crafts Council of Weavers and Artisans Awards 2022
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1976|9|27}}
| birth_place = [[Hyderabad]], India
| occupation = [[Film director|Filmmaker]], [[cinematographer]], photographer, meditation facilitator
| yearsactive = 2001–present
| notable_works = ''Chilika Bank$,'' ''Earth Witness,'' ''Hindu Nectar''
| website = {{URL|www.daminijosh.in}}
}}

'''Akanksha Damini Joshi''' is an Indian filmmaker, cinematographer, photographer and a meditation facilitator.<ref>{{cite web|title=Akanksha Joshi|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3518192/|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=17 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217100722/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3518192/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ये मैं हूं:बचपन देश के अलग-अलग हिस्सों में घूमते हुए बीता, अब फिल्ममेकर, सिनेमैटोग्राफर, कहानीकार, ध्यान-सूत्रधार के किरदार निभा रही हूं|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/women/this-is-me/news/childhood-was-spent-roaming-in-different-parts-of-the-country-now-playing-the-role-of-filmmaker-cinematographer-story-writer-meditation-facilitator-129571648.html?_branch_match_id=1035072230216993369&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXT0nMzMvM1k3Sy8zTL4oIr0j3M4zyzk8CABOqPtQfAAAA|publisher=Dainik Bhaskar|language=Hindi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Filmmaker Akanksha Joshi Explores the Internal and External World of Indian Consciousness|url=https://www.indicasoftpower.com/filmmaker-akanksha-joshi-explores-the-internal-and-external-world-of-indian-consciousness/|publisher=Indica Softpower|access-date=30 March 2022|archive-date=30 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930191031/https://www.indicasoftpower.com/filmmaker-akanksha-joshi-explores-the-internal-and-external-world-of-indian-consciousness/|url-status=dead}}</ref> She is also the co-founder of Center for Embodied Knowledge (CEK), a [[Nonprofit organization|nonprofit foundation]] established to safeguard, protect, and promote the non-textual civilizational heritage of India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Filmmaker Akanksha Joshi Explores the Internal and External World of Indian Consciousness|url=https://indica.in/launch-of-center-for-embodied-knowledge/|publisher=Indica}}</ref>

==Career==
Joshi has made films on a range of topics: communal conflict, [[ecological crisis]] and spiritual philosophy. Her career began with documenting conflicts of [[2002 Gujarat riots|Gujarat 2002]] – ''Passengers: A Video Journey in Gujarat''.<ref>{{cite web|title=World View|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/world-view/515165/|publisher=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012101800/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/world-view/515165/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Witness to a changing world|date=19 April 2012 |url=http://www.indiatogether.org/earth-reviews|publisher=indiatogether|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192238/http://www.indiatogether.org/earth-reviews|url-status=live}}</ref> Then she took four years to make a film on ecological changes on the banks of [[Chilika Lake]] in [[Odisha]] (formerly known as Orissa) (''Chilika Bank$: Stories from India's largest Coastal Lake'').<ref>{{cite web|title=Lament of a lake|url=https://udayindia.in/2009/12/19/lament-of-a-lake/|publisher=Uday India|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719111202/https://udayindia.in/2009/12/19/lament-of-a-lake/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Independence Day 2020: 28 films for 28 states|date=15 August 2020|url=https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/independence-day-2020-28-films-for-28-states-11597467707411.html|publisher=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=9 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409075349/https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/independence-day-2020-28-films-for-28-states-11597467707411.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> She then made her film on climate change – ''Earth Witness: Reflections on the times and the timeless''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Earth Witness: Reflections on the times and the timelessness|url=http://www.vikalpbengaluru.org/earth-witness.html|publisher=Vikalp Bengaluru|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192243/http://www.vikalpbengaluru.org/earth-witness.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2014, Joshi made a film on Hindu philosophy – ''Hindu Nectar: Spiritual Wanderings in India'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Hindu Nectar by Akanksha Joshi|url=https://psbt.org/films/hindu-nectar/|publisher=[[Public Service Broadcasting Trust|PSBT]]|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192243/https://psbt.org/films/hindu-nectar/|url-status=live}}</ref> inspired by [[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan|Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan]]'s work, for the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]], [[Government of India]]. Joshi's short film on the river [[Ganges|Ganga]] – ''Ganga: Ek Prarthana'', 2007 addresses the global issue of [[Climate change (general concept)|climate change]] through culture-specific symbolism.<ref>{{cite web|title=For a clean, green world|url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/cover-story/for-a-clean-green-world/articleshow/37615059.cms|publisher=AhmedabadMirror|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012101804/https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/cover-story/for-a-clean-green-world/articleshow/37615059.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===''Passengers'' (2003)===
{{anchor|Passengers (2003 film)}}
Joshi co-directed this feature-length documentary during and after the 2002 Gujarat riots.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dumbed Down? Who?|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/dumbed-down-who/222586|publisher=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|OutlookIndian]]|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719110524/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/dumbed-down-who/222586|url-status=live}}</ref> The film, completed in 2003, has been screened at the 9th Open Frame Festival.<ref>{{cite web|title=PSBT presents Annual International Film Festival / 11th to 17th September 09|url=http://www.ardeecityrwa.com/psbt-presents-annual-international-film-0111.html|publisher=Ardee City Resident's Welfare Association|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192228/http://www.ardeecityrwa.com/psbt-presents-annual-international-film-0111.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Five years later, Joshi came out with ''Profiles of Courage and Compassion'', a book she co-authored with Indian activist, [[Harsh Mander]] titled, ''Towards Healing: Seeking Paths for Justice and Reconciliation in Gujarat''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Towards Healing: Seeking Paths for Justice and Reconciliation in Gujarat|url=http://wiscomp.org/publication_detail.php?id=161|publisher=WISCOMP|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012101802/http://wiscomp.org/publication_detail.php?id=161|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Chilika Bank$'' (2008)===
{{anchor|Chilika Bank$ (2008 film)}}
Joshi's first independent directorial debut came in 2008 with ''Chilika Bank$'', in which she covers over four decades of ecological crisis in Chilika, Asia's largest [[Brackish water]] lake.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chilika's Untold Stories|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/chilikas-untold-stories/112595|publisher=mid-day.com|date=17 February 2011|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124212332/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/chilikas-untold-stories/112595|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Looking back at the Chilika that was|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/reviews/looking-back-at-the-chilika-that-was-2964|publisher=[[Down to Earth (magazine)|DownToEarth]]|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012101807/https://www.downtoearth.org.in/reviews/looking-back-at-the-chilika-that-was-2964|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Programme: Films on Wildlife and Environment|url=http://iicdelhi.nic.in/User_Panel/ProgramDetails.aspx?Value=MnMbKpZavpQE8rCeaZuS9DVDe1vkc%2BsLyRq3gvVN%2B9zMJlggo3qqdDUoGV6fnx%2BbFJoBMNcW3yM%3D|publisher=[[India International Centre]]|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012101803/http://iicdelhi.nic.in/User_Panel/ProgramDetails.aspx?Value=MnMbKpZavpQE8rCeaZuS9DVDe1vkc%2BsLyRq3gvVN%2B9zMJlggo3qqdDUoGV6fnx%2BbFJoBMNcW3yM%3D|url-status=live}}</ref> The film produced by [[Public Service Broadcasting Trust]] won the Livelihood Award at the CMS Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival, New Delhi in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Earth Witness: Reflections on the Times and the Timeless by Akanksha Joshi|url=https://psbt.org/films/earth-witness-reflections-on-the-times-and-the-timeless/|publisher=[[Public Service Broadcasting Trust|PSBT]]|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192236/https://psbt.org/films/earth-witness-reflections-on-the-times-and-the-timeless/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was recipient of the First Prize at [[Jeevika: Asia Livelihood Documentary Festival#Winners|6th Jeevika: Asia Livelihood Documentary Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeevika|url=http://jeevika.org/festival/|publisher=jeevika.org|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192243/http://jeevika.org/festival/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='Chilika Bank' awarded at South Asian film fest|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080902/delhi.htm#8|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=17 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217232214/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080902/delhi.htm#8|url-status=live}}</ref>

For highlighting the issues surrounding Chilika, Joshi was awarded the [[Karmaveer Chakra Award|Karamveer Puruskaar]], National Award for Social Justice and Citizen Action by the confederation of NGOs, iCONGO, in partnership with United Nations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kajol, Pritish Nandy honoured for social work|url=https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/kajol-pritish-nandy-honoured-for-social-work_16981.html|publisher=[[Zee News]]|date=27 November 2008|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192237/https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/kajol-pritish-nandy-honoured-for-social-work_16981.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=India's the Most Prestigious Civilian Award for Social Work – Karmaveer Puraskaar 2008 presented|url=http://www.strengthsbasedpractice.com.au/dr_vekat_pulla_awarded_in_india.htm|publisher=Strengths Strategies Strengths Approach|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192233/http://www.strengthsbasedpractice.com.au/dr_vekat_pulla_awarded_in_india.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Chilika Bank$ was screened in the Indian Panorama section of the [[40th International Film Festival of India]], [[Goa]] 2009 in the non-feature film category.<ref>{{cite web|title=List of films for IFFI's Indian Panorama announced|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/34142/list-films-iffis-indian-panorama.html|publisher=Deccan Herald|date=4 November 2009|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192249/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/34142/list-films-iffis-indian-panorama.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Konkani film – 'Paltadacho Munis' to open Indian Panorama of IFFI 2009|url=http://pibmumbai.gov.in/scripts/detail.asp?releaseId=E2009PR1199|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012101822/http://pibmumbai.gov.in/scripts/detail.asp?releaseId=E2009PR1199|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was an Official Selection at the Film South Asia, [[Kathmandu]] in 2009,<ref>{{cite web|title=Chilika Bank$|url=http://www.filmsouthasia.org/film/chilika-bank/|publisher=Film South Asia|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192236/http://www.filmsouthasia.org/film/chilika-bank/|url-status=live}}</ref> the Rodos EcoFilms International Festival,<ref>{{cite web|title=Rodos EcoFilms|url=http://www.ecofilms.gr/program_10_en.htm|publisher=ecofilms|access-date=25 January 2020|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125031743/http://www.ecofilms.gr/program_10_en.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Greece]] in 2010 and the 4th Samsung Women's International Film Festival, [[Chennai]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Samsung celebrates 4th International Women Film-Fest in Chennai|url=https://www.varindia.com/news/samsung-celebrates-4th-international-women-filmfest-in-chennai|publisher=VARINDIA|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192230/https://www.varindia.com/news/samsung-celebrates-4th-international-women-filmfest-in-chennai|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Earth Witness'' (2011)===
{{anchor|Earth Witness (2011 film)}}
Joshi's documentary on climate change, ''Earth Witness'', reflects on climate change through the narratives of representative tribes of four different ecosystems in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sense, Sensibility And The Environment|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/sense-sensibility-and-the-environment/166091|publisher=mid-day.com|date=3 June 2012|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124212455/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/sense-sensibility-and-the-environment/166091|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A reflection on time & timeless|url=http://archive.asianage.com/ideas/reflection-time-timeless-617|publisher=[[The Asian Age]]|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192236/http://archive.asianage.com/ideas/reflection-time-timeless-617|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=PSBT story: 630 films, 230 awards, 400 filmmakers|url=https://www.civilsocietyonline.com/cinema/psbt-story-630-films-230-awards-400-filmmakers/|publisher=Civil Society Online}}</ref> The film has been featured in the book on the independent documentary movement in India, ''Filming Reality: The Independent Documentary Movement in India'' by Shoma A. Chatterji.<ref>{{cite web|title=Filming Reality|url=https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/filming-reality|publisher=Rakuten kobo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Filming Reality|url=https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/filming-reality/book246269|publisher=Sage Publishing|date=19 January 2020|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192235/https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/filming-reality/book246269|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=An Incredible journey of the Independent documentary film Movement in India|url=https://in.sagepub.com/en-in/sas/press/an-incredible-journey-of-the-independent-documentary-film-movement-in-india|publisher=Sage Publishing|date=5 May 2016|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192253/https://in.sagepub.com/en-in/sas/press/an-incredible-journey-of-the-independent-documentary-film-movement-in-india|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=An Incredible journey of the Independent documentary film Movement in India|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31393253-filming-reality|publisher=goodreads|access-date=12 October 2020|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012101830/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31393253-filming-reality|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chakarapani |first1=Ramesh |title=Documenting India |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/books/documenting-india/article8465817.ece |website=Frontline |language=en |access-date=12 October 2020 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326112748/https://frontline.thehindu.com/books/documenting-india/article8465817.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The book analyses notable documentaries made over the last four decades, including those by iconic film-makers such as [[Satyajit Ray]], [[Mani Kaul]] and [[Anand Patwardhan]].

The film won Best Film on Climate Change & Sustainable Technologies and the Best Cinematography awards at the Sixth CMS Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Delhi, Kerala Film Makers Bag Awards|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/delhi-kerala-film-makers-bag-awards/743933|publisher=OutlookIndian|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192223/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/delhi-kerala-film-makers-bag-awards/743933|url-status=live}}</ref> It was officially nominated for the Wildscreen Panda Award 2012, [[Wildscreen]] Panda Film Festival, Bristol.<ref>{{cite web|title=Panda Awards database|url=https://www.wildscreen.org/panda-awards-database/?y=2012&s=2|publisher=[[Wildscreen]]|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012101829/https://www.wildscreen.org/panda-awards-database/?y=2012&s=2|url-status=live}}</ref> It was one of the three winners at the [[Development Film Festival|VIII Developmental Film Festival]] on Climate Change and Food Security, Dhan Foundation, Madurai.<ref>{{cite web|title=8th Development Film Festival Climate Change and Food Security|url=https://www.dhan.org/dff/dff2012/|publisher=Dhan Foundation|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125235608/http://www.dhan.org/dff/dff2012/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Hindu Nectar'' (2014)===
{{anchor|Hindu Nectar (2014 film)}}
Joshi's film on spiritual seekers – ''Hindu Nectar'' is produced by the Ministry of External Affairs, India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hindu Nectar: Spiritual Wanderings in India|url=https://www.oshonews.com/2014/09/14/hindu-nectar-spiritual-wanderings/|publisher=Osho News|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192232/https://www.oshonews.com/2014/09/14/hindu-nectar-spiritual-wanderings/|url-status=live}}</ref> Joshi was awarded with the Best Director award at the International Film Festival of [[Allahabad|Prayag]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Allahabad, ready to host 1st International Film Festival of Prayag 2015|url=https://dumkhum.com/allahabad-ready-to-host-1st-international-film-festival-of-prayag-2015/|publisher=Dumkhum|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192237/https://dumkhum.com/allahabad-ready-to-host-1st-international-film-festival-of-prayag-2015/|url-status=live}}</ref> Hindu Nectar has been screened at the International Festival of Yog, Culture and Spirituality, [[Haridwar]]<ref>{{cite web|title=International Festival of Yog, Culture, Spirituality|url=http://yogculturefestival.com/presenters.php|publisher=Presenters – 5th Annual International Festival on Yog, Culture and Spirituality|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=29 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129224629/http://yogculturefestival.com/presenters.php|url-status=live}}</ref> and at the 14th Open Frame Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|title=Open Frame Film Festival|url=https://www.whatshot.in/delhi-ncr/open-frame-film-festival-e-349380|publisher=whats hot|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124192228/https://www.whatshot.in/delhi-ncr/open-frame-film-festival-e-349380|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TIE">{{cite web |title=You Are Not the Only One: India stares at a loneliness epidemic |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/you-are-not-the-only-one-5154976/ |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en |date=29 April 2018 |access-date=12 October 2020 |archive-date=6 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606021412/https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/you-are-not-the-only-one-5154976/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031017/main2.htm |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=17 October 2003 |access-date=12 October 2020 |archive-date=23 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523075151/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031017/main2.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Joshi, Akanksha}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Film directors from Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Lady Shri Ram College alumni]]
[[Category:Delhi University alumni]]
[[Category:Jamia Millia Islamia alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Indian documentary filmmakers]]
[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]
[[Category:Indian women screenwriters]]
[[Category:1976 births]]

Akanksha Damini Joshi - Revision history

OrvilleBurgos99 at 16:17, 29 October 2025