Our Team

The voices behind CICADA

A collective of storytellers, filmmakers, and change-makers united by one belief — every community deserves to be heard.

The CICADA collective gathered together — Seoni, Madhya Pradesh

The Collective

Ten storytellers, one chorus

Seoni · Madhya Pradesh · Central India

Directors

Our Directors

Kiran Admache

Director

A young tribal woman from the Gond community in Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh. Passionate about preserving her community's cultural heritage through storytelling. Committed to education, using visual media to raise awareness. Has worked with PARI Network and Youth Panchayat.

Kalyani Nayak

Director

An independent filmmaker exploring the intersection of conservation, community, and storytelling. A Greenhub alumna and fellow of Green Stories and PSBT (2026–27), currently developing an independent film with Nature inFocus. Co-founder of the CICADA Foundation, she returns grassroots narratives to communities through screenings, youth engagement, and collective action.

Sayan Sardar

Director

Visual journey began in 2017. Green Hub Central India Fellow 2023. Directed films for PRADAN and Disappearing Dialogues. Currently collaborates with Roundglass Sustain documenting wildlife, environment, and sustainability stories.

Core Team

The collective keeping the work moving

Almost every member trained through the Green Hub Fellowship — a National Geographic-recognised programme — and represents tribal communities and field practices from across central India.

Mukesh Kumar Mahato

Documentary Filmmaker & Photographer

From Purulia, West Bengal. Green Hub Fellow 2023-24. Nature inFocus Filmmaker Fellow 2025-26.

Akash Evney

Photographer & Videographer

Green Hub Fellow 2023-24. Documentaries with ATREE, IWMI, and TINSA Ecological Foundation.

Shekh Aan Muhammad

Finance & Compliance

8+ years in accounting, taxation, regulatory compliance. MBA Finance, M.Com, LL.B (Hons).

Shibali Vishwas

Independent Filmmaker

Master's in Film Production. Debut feature 'Between Love & Land' selected for Doc Edge Asian Pitching Forum 2026.

Rekha Waskel

Filmmaker & Founding Member

From the Bhilala tribe in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. Green Hub Fellow. Adivasi food systems specialist.

Bhaiyaji Patel

Wildlife Guide & Documentary Filmmaker

Wildlife guide from Satpura Tiger Reserve. Green Hub Central India Fellow 2023.

Pankaj Shori

Filmmaker

From the Gond community in Kondagaon, Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Green Hub Fellow.

Be Part of It

Want to be part of the story?

We're always looking for field researchers, storytellers, and production volunteers dedicated to grassroots impact across India. If that sounds like you — or you just want to hear more — reach out.

Reach out