Faizan Hussain’s short film on ‘100 Weekend Wonders of Telangana’ bags second prize

Wildlife and nature story-teller Faizan Hussain has won the second prize in the 100 Weekend Wonders of Telangana contest for his short film Greens & Blues of Telangana. The film captures the state’s lesser-known natural landscapes, wetlands, forests, and wildlife, aiming to raise awareness about biodiversity and conservation.

Hyderabad: Wildlife and nature story-teller Faizan Hussain has been focussing on highlighting the “unexplored weekend destinations” of Telangana, especially regions rich in greens, blues, rivers, reservoirs, forests and wildlife.

And, when his short film “Greens & Blues of Telangana”, focussing on the unexplored weekend destinations of Telangana, especially regions rich in greens, blues, rivers, reservoirs, hills, forests, and wildlife, won the second prize in the “100 Weekend Wonders of Telangana” contest organised by the Telangana Tourism Department on Thursday, his joy knew no bounds.

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“This is a deeply meaningful recognition for me. It is a validation of my long-standing effort to showcase Telangana’s lesser-known natural landscapes, wetlands, forests and wildlife to a wider audience,” Faizan said in a chat with Telangana Today.

What exactly is the film about? “The short film aims to show that Telangana is not just about popular tourist spots, but also home to serene landscapes, thriving ecosystems, and rich biodiversity that often go unnoticed,” 32-year-old Faizan said.

“The visuals captured natural beauty, wildlife movement, birdlife, and the ecological balance that exists in these spaces. The short film took several months of planning, travel, and fieldwork. Each location required multiple visits to understand light, seasons, wildlife behaviour, and human impact. Many shots were captured during early mornings and late evenings, often involving long travel hours and patience in the field,” he explained.

“Wildlife and nature photography is not about instant results, it is about waiting, observing, and respecting nature’s rhythm. The motivation behind this came from my strong belief that awareness leads to conservation. When people see and appreciate the natural wealth around them, they are more likely to protect it,” Faizan said.

“Telangana has incredible biodiversity right from migratory birds to wetlands and forest corridors. I wanted to visually communicate why these spaces matter, not just aesthetically but ecologically,” he said.

“My biggest inspiration has always been nature itself, along with forest staff, conservationists, and local communities who coexist with wildlife. Their silent efforts and resilience push me to document,” Faizan said.

“I’m also inspired by the idea of using visual storytelling as a bridge between conservation and tourism,” he added.

“The support from the Government of Telangana, especially through initiatives by the Tourism Department, has been very encouraging. I am grateful to Mrs. Kranthi Valluri, IAS, Managing Director of Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation, who has been especially motivating and reinforces the importance of such initiatives,” said Faizan, an advertising professional and a wildlife story-teller.

“This award strengthens my commitment to continue documenting Telangana’s natural heritage and taking these stories to national and international platforms in the future,” Faizan signed off.