The Odia documentary ‘The Sea & Seven Villages,’ directed by Himansu Khatua and produced by Dr. Iti Samanta, presented by Dr. Achyuta Samanta under Kadambini Media, has been selected for screening at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in 2023. The festival is scheduled to take place from November 20 to 28 in Goa. This documentary is featured in the ‘Non-Feature Films’ category of the Indian Panorama, alongside 20 other films. The selection was officially announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the organizers of IFFI. In total, the festival will screen 25 feature films.

‘The Sea & Seven Villages’ is the result of extensive research conducted by Himansu Khatua, focusing on the Satabhaya region in Kendrapada district, Odisha. Once a thriving area, the documentary sheds light on how climate change, rising sea levels, and erosion have taken a toll on a cluster of seven villages in this region. It narrates the stories of five villages that have been submerged over time. The documentary provides a poignant portrayal of the lives and struggles of the resilient people of Satabhaya, known for their fearless resilience against the sea’s relentless advances.

This documentary has received numerous awards and recognition and has been screened at several film festivals, including the Lane Doc Fest in the United States, the 15th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, Jagran Film Festival, Madurai International Documentary Short Film Festival, and the 10th Siliguri Short and Documentary Film Festival, among others.