CFSI will be much more than films: Nandita Das
During a press conference in Delhi on Wednesday, actress and chairperson of CFSI (Children’s Film Society of India) Nandita Das said that the forthcoming 16th International Children’s Film Festival (to be held in Hyderabad from November 14 to 20) will be much more than just films.
Discussing various facets of the festival, Nandita Das said that apart from 70 films to be screened in three categories – International, Asian Panorama and Children’s World – the festival will have open forums in which both children and adults can participate and exchange ideas.
"Besides forums, we have special workshops in the festival in which, over five days, children will be learn the art of storytelling, animation and even reporting. This will benefit all the child reporters who want to share their stories with the rest of the world. A lot of times, children say things that adults could never have. And through these films and forums, we want to encourage that," Das said, adding that children will be a part of the jury along with their grown-up counterparts.
The unique features of this year’s film festival include a special show exclusively for blind children. A Children’s jury for ‘Asian section’ and a ‘separate package for German films’ are among the other noteworthy features of this year’s festival. CFSI is also collaborating with UNICEF to showcase 25 documentaries concerning different issues. Cultural programmes by children will be a regular feature on all the days and will be organized at Lalitha Kala Thoranam.
