Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 30: Created in memory of her late father, Lohia’s solar-powered short stood out globally for its emotion-led narrative and uncompromising eco-conscious production
Neha Lohia has earned global recognition for her short film Hello Dad, which was spotlighted at the Earth Day celebration in Times Square this year. The film stood out not only for its emotional narrative but also for its commitment to sustainable filmmaking, a philosophy inspired by Lohia’s late father.
“I come from India, where we call Mother Earth Dharti Maa. Dharti means she who holds, and it is our conscious responsibility to be as weightless as possible. As a filmmaker, I try to bring the same care to how a film is made as I do to the story itself,” says Neha.
Hello Dad was conceived as a heartfelt tribute, shaped by the simplicity and resourcefulness that defined her father’s life. Those values influenced both the story and the way the project was brought to life. Shot in New York with an intentionally minimal production footprint, the film relied heavily on solar energy, practical natural lighting, shared equipment, and a modest set-up that avoided unnecessary consumption. Even the catering followed a plant-based model, making sustainability a built-in part of the production rather than an add-on.
Neha adds, “This film holds a lot of personal memory and grief. I invite everyone to take a moment today to reach out to someone they love. Call your parents, your children, someone close to you, and tell them you love them. Thank them for sharing this time on Earth with you. This moment matters, because you never know when it may be the last hello, and what remains are the memories we carry forward that can get heavy if left unexpressed.”
This conscious approach drew the attention of the Earth Day Times Square event, produced by Rev. Paul Sladkus, founder of the nonprofit Good News Corporation, in association with EarthDay.org, Ommm Presents, and the Office of the New York City Comptroller. The 2026 edition of the event, dedicated to the Jane Goodall Foundation, showcased over 50 performers and speakers. It also featured virtual messages from UN Peace Messengers such as Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, and UNICEF ambassador Shakira.
Neha took the stage alongside the film’s principal cast, Emmy-nominated actor Tirlok Malik and Switzerland-based actress Ankita Makwana, as Hello Dad was acknowledged for exemplifying environmentally aware filmmaking on a major global platform.
The project’s emotional core stems from Neha’s personal journey through grief. Over the years, she documented her feelings through poems, rituals, and written reflections. Hello Dad evolved from this intimate space, blending memory, healing, and an exploration of the father–daughter relationship into a cinematic form.
Beyond the Times Square accolade, the film has also received the Environmental Media Association’s Green Seal, a respected certification for productions that follow eco-conscious practices. While the industry continues to experiment with large-scale, tech-driven sustainability solutions, Hello Dad demonstrates that even small, purpose-driven choices can significantly cut environmental impact.
Lohia’s work offers a gentle but powerful reminder: meaningful storytelling and mindful production can coexist, and together they can leave a lighter footprint on the planet.
About Neha Lohia – Neha Lohia is an award-winning filmmaker based in New York, with experience across global studios and independent productions. Her work explores personal memory, human connection, and inner life, often intersecting with conscious approaches to storytelling and sustainability. Currently finishing her study of emerging technologies in cinema production at CUNY, she continues to develop projects across film and immersive media.
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