Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Shalini Adnani’s Debut Film Explores Sand Mining and Family Secrets
Our Share of Sand is a film about a 12-year-old girl named Maya.
She starts asking questions after she sees her friend Kieran in pain.
Those questions lead her to think differently about her family and the adults around her.
The film also looks at sand mining and how it can affect the environment.
Director Shalini Adnani got ideas for the story from summers she spent in India.
She says a family can reflect the larger society around it.
The film was made by teams from the UK, India and Greece, and was filmed in Maharashtra.
It premiered in Venice and is now competing for an award at the BFI London Film Festival.
Our Share of Sand follows 12-year-old Maya as she questions her family’s choices and uncovers secrets.
Writer-director Shalini Adnani drew inspiration from childhood summers in India and the country’s rapid development.
The UK-India-Greece co-production was filmed in Maharashtra villages and premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
The film is competing for the Sutherland Award for first feature at the BFI London Film Festival.
Adnani spent two to three years developing the story and researching sand mining and its environmental impact.
- Who
- Writer-director Shalini Adnani; the film follows 12-year-old Maya, played by Maya Mehta.
- What
- Our Share of Sand is a debut feature about family secrets, inequality, and the human and environmental costs of sand mining.
- When
- It premiered in Venice last month and is scheduled to screen at the BFI London Film Festival on Saturday (10) and Sunday (11); the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Filmed in Mahabaleshwar and Jambhali villages in Maharashtra; the film premiered in Venice and is screening in London.
- Why
- Adnani wanted to explore her childhood summers in India, the country's rapid development and sand mining, and the family as a reflection of society.
- Film
- Our Share of Sand
- Director
- Shalini Adnani
- Central character
- Maya, a 12-year-old girl played by Maya Mehta
- Production
- UK-India-Greece co-production
- Filming locations
- Mahabaleshwar and Jambhali villages in Maharashtra
- Runtime
- 95 minutes
- Festival and award
- Premiered at Venice; competing for the Sutherland Award for first feature at the BFI London Film Festival
- Development and research
- Adnani spent around two or three years developing the story and researching its issues.