Acclaimed Hindi and Punjabi film maker Parvinder Singh Wraich and film director Baljeet Singh from district TarnTaran, Punjab latest short animation film “Plant a Life” has won an award for Best Animation Film on the Environment at the prestigious Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival, Belfast, Ireland held on March 12, 2025. The 18 minutes animation film, which is an engaging and visually rich narrative, blends storytelling and animation to deliver a powerful message about environmental responsibility and peace. The film received acclaim for its powerful message, vibrant animation, and most notably, its exceptional direction by Baljeet Singh and very powerful sound design—crafted by Ms. Gurjeet Kaur, the film’s dedicated sound recordist.
Set on an alien planet, Plant a Life explores a conflict between two families of different species who blame each other for environmental degradation. Their ongoing strife is disrupted by the arrival of two astronauts from Earth, who offer guidance on co-existence and pollution control. But the twist comes when the alien families urge the Earthlings to first fix their own home planet before advising others – a thought-provoking reminder of Earth’s ongoing ecological crisis written by Parvinder Singh Wraich.
The inspiration behind the film is deeply personal. Baljeet Singh, along with his sister Gurjeet Kaur and brother Simranjeet Singh, are passionate environmentalists, actively volunteering for local green initiatives. This family including their father Davinder Singh and Mother Kulwinder Kaur actively participate in volunteer campaigns promoting a cleaner, greener Earth. Their shared commitment to environmental protection seeded the idea of film Plant a Life.
The film was written by Parvinder Singh Wraich and directed by Baljeet Singh, and produced by Swaranjit Kaur Wraich along with her Co-Producer Kulwinder Kaur under the banner of Redi Film Productions. The project was completed in January 2025 at their film and animation studio in Punjab, India.
While Plant a Life has been celebrated for its environmental theme and captivating visuals, it was the unique vocal treatment given to the animated characters that set it apart on the international stage. Behind this creative brilliance was Gurjeet Kaur, whose sound design gave the characters depth, identity, and emotion—making them not just seen, but felt.
Using a blend of nuanced vocal layering, pitch modulation, and emotionally rich tonality, Gurjeet crafted voices that resonated deeply with audiences. Her sound work added a subtle realism and charm to the animated beings, enhancing their believability and connecting their message to the viewers on a sensory level.
“Gurjeet Kaur’s contribution was nothing short of transformative,” said writer and director Parvinder Singh Wraich. “Her ability to breathe life into our animated characters through sound elevated the entire film. It’s one of the main reasons we received such special recognition at the festival.”
Equally instrumental to the film’s success was Simranjeet Singh, the editor of Plant a Life, whose meticulous craftsmanship brought rhythm, emotion, and coherence to the final narrative. With an animated film where timing is everything, Simranjeet ensured every frame flowed with purpose—enhancing the story’s impact while maintaining its emotional tone. His keen eye for pacing and transitions helped unify the visuals, sound, and storytelling into a seamless cinematic experience. It was his dedication in the editing suite that helped Plant a Life evolve from a collection of animated sequences into a compelling, award-winning film. His editorial finesse played a critical role in shaping the film’s final form, ultimately contributing to the recognition it received at the Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival.
Director of the film Baljeet Singh said that one of the notable challenges during production was seamlessly integrating live-action performances into a fully animated world posed a unique production challenge, but the team successfully brought the vision to life with a compelling blend of creativity and message-driven storytelling.
Speaking about the film, Baljeet Singh shared, “By creating this short animation film, I am hoping to educate people about the importance of reducing pollution and saving Mother Earth. The film aims to highlight the devastating effects of pollution on our environment and the urgent need for collective action. I want it to inspire eco-friendly habits and environmental responsibility, especially in children and young adults, who are the future stewards of our planet.”
Following its win in Belfast, Ireland “Plant A Life” has been submitted to several other film festivals both in India and abroad. The team is optimistic about continuing the film’s journey across global platforms.
Looking ahead, the team of Redi Film Productions including Baljeet Singh, Parvinder Singh Wraich, Swaranjit Kaur Wraich, Gurjeet Kaur, Simranjeet Singh, Davinder Singh, Harkiran Kaur Wraich and Kulwinder Kaur are already in development on their next short animation film, this time focusing on the theme of women empowerment, signaling their continued commitment to socially conscious storytelling through cinema.
