Stage set for International Children Film Festival

The seven-day long 19th International Children Film Festival will be celebrated in a grand manner in the State. For the first time, the Telangana State government will be hosting the event, where 200 films out of the selected 1,204 films will be screened all over the State. CFSI CEO and festival Director, Sravan Kumar, Information Commissioner and Convener of the event Naveen Mittal and Tourism Special Officer Kishan Rao informed media that State government declared the event as a state festival with golden elephant symbol. The festival will formally commence at Shilpakala Vedika on November 14, and conclude at the same venue on 20.

Elaborate arrangements have been made to conduct the festivities in a grandiose manner. It was decided to screen the films for deaf and dumb and other disabled children at Saroornagar and Saidabad. Chief Secretary heads an organising committee comprising 10 committees for the smooth and successful conduct of the festivities. The 200 films to be screened include 20 films from Hyderabad, including a Telugu film “Aditya”, a short film on former President Abdul Kalam, 50 film entries sent by 40 embassies and 37 films from seven countries. DEOs will coordinate to provide better transport facility, snacks and water for the children for watching the films.

Online “Digital Passes” for the film festival are being issued and a separate app can be used to watch the selected films online through You Tube. About 600 delegates from 80 nations will get accommodation at Park Hotel wherein a media centre will be set up for the coverage of the festivities. Officials will coordinate with others and media, as exemplary efforts have been made to make the event a grand success. The films enable the students get exposure and knowledge of global geographies. The State government plans to make Hyderabad a permanent destination, and start film institute on global lines and help the children get into film production, direction and other related activities.

Noted Telugu film personalities like Allu Arjun, Rana and other bigwigs of Bollywood will attend the festival. Meanwhile, following theatres in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy will have wide reach to screen the films include – Prasad Multiplex – 1,2,3 screens, Hi-tech, Madhapur, Ranga at Jeedimetla, Prashanth at Secunderabad, Eshwar at Attapur, Sivaparvathi at Kukatpally Housing Board, Cineopolis at Malkajgiri 1 and 2 screens, Sri Rama at Bahadurpura, Indira Priyadarshini Auditorium and Hariharakala Bhavan. Some of the films will be screened at Ravindra Bharathi with cultural programmes. Workshops and seminars will be conducted at Jawahar Bal Bhavan from November 15 to 19.