International Children Film Fest, a platform for debate on better quality cinema for kids

Hyderabad, Nov 14: The 16th international children’s film festival that got off on Saturday is all set to kick off a debate on the need for production of more and more quality cinema catering to children’s entertainment.Ms Nandita Das, chairperson, Children’s Film Society of India, will be opening the debate on the subject “Is it time to redefine children’s films” at an open forum on Sunday. “The festival will screen 70 films from various countries at eight venues including IMAX theatre. But Lalita Kala Thoranam will be the main venue where the inaugural and valedictory ceremonies will be held,” said the Minister for Tourism, Dr J Geetha Reddy.

All films at the festival will be screened at three screens in Prasads Multiplex and eight other theatres in the Twin Cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. They include 36 films in the non-competitive children’s world, 18 in the Asian Panorama and 15 in the International section. The UNICEF is also screening 25 films on the theme of child rights. Entry is free for children and their parents at all the screening centers and for the media and delegates at the Multiplex screens of Prasad’s IMAX.The festival began with the special screening of Mozart in China on November 14. The film is centered on how a Chinese Austrian spent his summer vacation at his grandfather’s home on the island of Hainan on southern tip of China. The story revolved around the visitors love affairs with a Chinese girl and the prevailing loan sharks on the island.

Noted filmmaker, lyricist and Oscar winner for his ‘Jai Ho‘Gulzar is the guest of honour along with Vishal Bharadwaj.”  The international jury headed by Larsberg comprised Nagesh Kuknoor, Dr Shanta Sinha, Inka Friese, Ali Vazhirian and Larsberg, children film makers of Germany. The Asian panorama jury comprised Uta Hartmann-berth (chairperson), actress Revathy, Director Gitanjali Rao, actor Ashish Vidhyarthi  and  Gert  Hartmann (Belgium). The child jurors are: Swarna Lodha (Jodhpur), Ramyasri Gunturi (Hyderabad), Shourya Athele (Delhi), Jhanvi Mehta (Mumbai) and one child  from Chicago (for the International section )  and  Mannan Ansari (Jharkhand ), P Kavya (Hyderabad, Ananya Grouthi (Ahmedabad), Ujwal Bhatt (Hyderabad) and one child from Chicago.