Mumbai: National Geographic is set to present two landmark documentary screenings at the Mumbai International Film Festival, bringing together contemporary cinematic storytelling and a tribute to one of the world’s most celebrated natural history broadcasters.
Headlining the showcase is the India premiere of Time and Water, the latest documentary from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Sara Dosa. Selected as the opening documentary film of MIFF 2026, the screening offers Indian audiences an early opportunity to experience Dosa’s acclaimed work on the big screen.
Blending science, mythology, history and personal storytelling, Time and Water explores the climate crisis while reflecting on humanity’s evolving relationship with nature across ecological and geological timelines.
Recognised as one of Asia’s oldest and most respected documentary film festivals, MIFF has built a reputation for championing meaningful non-fiction storytelling and encouraging conversations around issues shaping society and the world.
Commenting on the film, Sara Dosa said, “TIME AND WATER weaves a story of family and our natural landscapes as an effort to make sense of our profoundly changing world. We were inspired by how memory is carried across time, through family archives and cultural myths, in the land and the ice itself. Our film reveals how human life is inseparable from nature, bringing the distant future into intimate focus and inviting audiences to imagine, act, and feel a love for a world beyond their own lifetimes.”
Alongside the opening film, National Geographic will commemorate the centenary of David Attenborough through a special screening of David Attenborough’s Secrets of Wild India: Desert Lions.
For more than seven decades, Attenborough has helped shape global understanding of the natural world through pioneering storytelling that has inspired generations of viewers and contributed to conservation awareness worldwide.
Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Desert Lions offers a rare look into India’s arid ecosystems and the survival of the Asiatic lion. Through immersive visuals and storytelling, the documentary highlights the resilience of the species and ongoing conservation efforts supporting its future.
Commenting on National Geographic’s participation at MIFF 2026, Alok Jain, Head – Hindi and English Entertainment Business (Streaming, TV & Studios), JioStar, said, “At a time when the impact of climate change is being felt more visibly than ever, documentaries have the power to cut through noise and create genuine understanding. MIFF has long been a celebrated platform for documentary storytelling, and having Time and Water open this year’s festival makes the occasion particularly special. Alongside it, we are proud to present Secrets of Wild India: Desert Lions in tribute to Sir David Attenborough’s remarkable legacy. National Geographic has always stood for storytelling that informs, inspires and sparks meaningful conversations, and we are delighted to bring these stories to audiences at MIFF 2026.”
Together, the screenings reflect National Geographic’s storytelling approach—supporting contemporary filmmakers shaping new conversations while celebrating the enduring legacy of documentary voices that continue to influence how audiences engage with the world
