Kartiki Gonsalves’ enthralling and beguiling 2023 Oscar nominated documentary short, THE ELEPHANT WHISPERERS, follows an indigenous couple, Bomman and Bellie, as they fall in love with Raghu, an orphaned elephant given into their care, and tirelessly work to ensure his survival. The film highlights the beauty of the wild spaces of South India, and the oldest wild elephant reserve in Asia, Theppakadu Elephant Camp, as well as the people and animals who share this space. THE ELEPHANT WHISPERERS marks the directorial debut of Kartiki Gonsalves, a prolific wildlife and social documentary photographer, photojournalist and cinematographer. Raised in the Nilgiris Mountains of southern India where was filmed. THE ELEPHANT WHISPERERS director, co-writer and cinematographer Kartiki Gonsalves stops by to talk about returning to this stunningly beautiful region, meeting and spending time with Bomman, Bellie, Raghu and Ammu as well as forging what she describes as an “unbreakable bond” with these elephants.

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*2023 Academy Award® Nominee for Best Live Action Short Film

About the filmmaker – Kartiki Gonsalves is a Sony Artisan, one of the first women selected in India as a Sony Imaging Ambassador for the Sony Alpha series as a natural history and social documentary photographer & filmmaker. She is an Indian Natural History, Social Documentary photojournalist/ filmmaker currently based out of the Nilgiris and Bombay in India. Her work has two foci. One is environment, nature and wildlife, where she seeks to raise awareness about marvelous diversity of nature and wildlife and the importance of conservation. The other is cultures, communities and their connections. An avid traveller & explorer, her work primarily revolves around nature, cultures, communities, animals, and the environment and how they are all intertwined. Her most recent film is releasing on Netflix worldwide in December of 2022 called ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ which follows an indigenous couple as they fall in love with Raghu, an orphaned elephant given into their care, and tirelessly work to ensure his survival. The film highlights the beauty of the wild spaces in South India and the people and animals who share this space. Fo rmore go to: kartikigonsalves.com 

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“A tender and hopeful product that demonstrates the purity and conscience of animals, and why we must fight to keep their planet alive “ – Ricardo Gallegos, La Estatuilla

“Being a short docu, it’s a quick watch yet still manages a strong narrative, with ups and downs, triumphs and defeats, and moments of beauty and sadness.” – John Sooja, Common Sense Media

“Much of the beauty of The Elephant Whisperers lies in the understated coming-of-age of the film’s narrative that draws ample parallels between humans and animals.”  –  Poulomi Das, Firstpost

“It packs a punch and is definitely worth the watch, especially if you love elephants.” – Romey Norton, Ready Steady Cut