As a Wildlife Filmmaker, her passion has led her to the remotest corners — trekking at 12,000 feet in the Himalayan bamboo forests filming red pandas, traversing rainforests looking for endangered purple frogs and, among others, searching for extremely rare turtles in the mighty Brahmaputra.

As we observe the International Day of Forests, it is crucial to recognize that forests are not merely a collection of trees, but they are also home to various wild animals. The Mooknayak is thrilled to introduce you to Gunjan, a Vancouver based passionate wildlife enthusiast, who spends countless hours in forests, capturing the beauty of wildlife on film. Her aim is to raise awareness about the importance of preserving nature and its inhabitants across the world. Gunjan's exceptional work has recently gained attention, as her documentary "Wings of Hope- A Bustling Village and their Bird Friends" was selected and screened at a United Nations event in Washington DC on World Wildlife Day, March 3rd. The film showcased the unique and heartwarming relationship between the villagers and the birds in a small settlement in Rajasthan.

In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Gunjan fondly reminisced about her childhood in Delhi, where she grew up in a serene neighborhood and developed a deep passion for wildlife documentaries and nature books. This fascination with the jungle world sparked her interest in filmmaking. Since the age of three, she had been an avid reader of stories about the wilderness, and during her school days, she volunteered to rescue birds and mammals while also enjoying capturing images of urban wildlife. As she matured, Gunjan resolved to merge her two passions and become a filmmaker, thus embarking on an incredible journey of capturing the essence of nature on film.

"After completing my Bachelor's degree in Media and Communication with a specialisation in Audio Visual Communication, I worked in Pune and Mumbai for a while, helping wildlife NGOs with their campaign films. However, I felt the need to take my career to the next level and decided to pursue a Master's degree in Wildlife Filmmaking from the University of the West of England in Bristol, UK" Gunjan said. Since then, the nature enthusiast has been actively working as a wildlife filmmaker, both nationally and internationally. Her passion for wildlife and filmmaking, coupled with the need to tell more truthful wildlife stories, led her to take up this career.

Wildlife filmmaking, a male forte!

Gunjan's passion for wildlife and the outdoors led her to pursue a career in wildlife filmmaking, a field predominantly dominated by men. Despite facing several challenges and obstacles, Gunjan has braved tough terrains, extreme weather conditions, and long hours of waiting to capture stunning visuals of wildlife on film.

Being a female wildlife filmmaker, Gunjan had to work harder than her male counterparts to prove her worth in a field that was traditionally seen as a male forte. She had to overcome societal norms and stereotypes that often question a woman's ability to work in such an environment. However, she persevered and proved her mettle through her work.

She has spent countless hours in the forests, patiently waiting for the perfect shot. She has even camped out for days in extreme weather conditions to get the footage she needed. Her passion for wildlife and filmmaking is evident in the breathtaking visuals she captures, which showcase the beauty and complexity of the natural world. She is an inspiration to many young girls who aspire to make meaningful documentaries.

Filmmaking most powerful medium

Gunjan believes that filmmaking is the most powerful medium today, and it can inspire people to act and demand environmental justice just by making films that move people. Gunjan's inaugural independent cinematic creation, entitled 'The Firefox Guardian', takes its viewers on an enthralling expedition through the dense bamboo thickets of Nepal. The film delves into the special connection between the indigenous village girl Menuka Bhattrai and the extraordinary 'Firefoxes'. In this twelve-minute narrative, the audience witness Menuka's journey as the first female forest guardian working in conjunction with the esteemed Red Panda Network. Her aim is to locate a Panda juvenile to determine the success of the previous season's wild Panda reproduction. This piece of cinema presents a unique perspective on the Forest Guardians and the seldom-documented lives of the endangered Red Pandas in their natural habitat.

Gunjan's passion for wildlife has led her to travel across various parts of the world, immersing herself in the natural habitats of animals, observing their behavior, and becoming a part of the jungle ecosystem. For her, capturing the essence of wildlife on camera and sharing their stories is a privilege. Among her many successful projects, the film 'Living with the King' stands out. The film revolves around King Cobras, the world's longest venomous snakes, which were being killed in the Eastern Ghats due to their intimidating size. Gunjan's documentary highlighted how these majestic snakes and humans could coexist peacefully in a small village in Karnataka. The film successfully sensitized people towards the importance of preserving these vulnerable species, leading to a significant reduction in the number of cobra killings.

Future Plans

Gunjan and her husband make documentaries together and plan to continue making impact-driven wildlife and conservation films that can inspire tangible action. They are currently working on a feature documentary on freshwater turtles, supported by the National Geographic Society. The power couple also aim to train new filmmakers to make impactful movies that can address conservation issues.

Gunjan believes that films have the power to change the way we perceive the world, and if used wisely, they can inspire behavioural change. She believes that now more than ever, we need more environmental and conservation filmmakers to step up and tell stories about the changing climate, stories of hope and love, and remind us of our relationship with wildlife. She encourages aspiring filmmakers to tell authentic stories and help each other on their way up. Concluding with a hopeful message to the new filmmakers, Gunjan says, "We need a strong army of wildlife filmmakers all working together to get this industry the much needed recognition. There are enough stories that need to be told and there’s enough space for everyone at the top. Let’s disrupt and change the world together through the power of films."

Through hard work, perseverance, and a love for nature, this young woman has made a name for herself in a male-dominated industry. Her journey behind the lenses is a testament to the power of passion, determination, and breaking down gender barriers.

Awards & Recognitions

Gunjan's impressive artistic achievements have been acknowledged with over 40 awards and nominations across 15 nations over the course of the past nine years. Amongst these accolades, she was a finalist for a student BAFTA. Furthermore, her works have been televised on esteemed networks such as Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Nat Geo Wild, Disney+ Hotstar, BBC Earth, Seeker, and various Indian broadcasting platforms. Two of her exceptional short films have been handpicked for the prestigious Jackson Wild's World Wildlife Day Film Showcase in collaboration with CITES and the UNDP in both 2020 and 2023.