Shalini Adnani's inaugural feature film, "Our Share of Sand," is poised for its global debut at the Venice Film Festival's Critics' Week. This gripping 95-minute drama centers on the sand mining crisis in India, unfolding through the eyes of 12-year-old Maya, portrayed by emerging talent Maya Mehta. Upon her return to India with her mother to reconnect with her estranged father, a sand mining entrepreneur, Maya forms an unexpected bond with a young worker named Kiran.

Following an unforeseen incident, Maya becomes a pivotal witness in a police investigation, as her father attempts to clear his name through her testimony. Amidst her mother's growing distress, Maya begins to unravel a deep-seated pattern of silence and systemic exploitation. This discovery compels her to confront the duplicity of her father and the intricate complicity within her own family, challenging the very foundations of their relationships.

The film's title itself, as explained by Adnani, is a direct reference to India's pressing sand mining crisis, a practice that exacerbates erosion and contributes significantly to flooding. She underscores a global unawareness regarding the diminishing supply of sand and the severe environmental repercussions of its extraction. The film's cast includes Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub as Rohan and Ellora Torchia as Priti, alongside Krish Raj More, Ravi Patil, and Jyoti Dogra. Adnani, a Chilean-born, Indian-origin writer-director based in London and an alumna of the London Film School and Berlinale Talents, brings a powerful voice to this critical narrative. "Our Share of Sand," a UK-Greek co-production, was developed with the support of Film4 and the BFI, and its international distribution is managed by Global Constellation.

This film serves as a poignant reminder that true connections are forged not merely by lineage but by shared values and a commitment to justice. It encourages viewers to critically examine the hidden costs of economic endeavors and to advocate for environmental stewardship and ethical conduct within both personal and professional spheres. The narrative champions the idea that even the youngest voices can spark profound change, urging us all to confront uncomfortable truths for the greater good.