The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Children’s film fete reduced to mere formality: Dasari

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 15, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Children’s film fete reduced to mere formality: Dasari

Union Minister criticises organisers for ‘lack of local involvement’

Colourful start to Children’s Film Festival
Over 115 films from 30 countries to be screened

PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

SPECIAL OCCASION: CFSI Chairperson Nafisa Ali with children at the inaugural of the 15th International Children’s Film Festival at Lalitha Kala Thoranam on Wednesday.

HYDERABAD: Set to screen 115 films from 30 countries, the 15th edition of International Children’s Film Festival got off to a colourful start here at Lalitha Kala Thoranam open air auditorium on Wednesday. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in the presence of Union Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao, jury members and others.

Lively cultural programmes set the tone for the inaugural which closed with the screening of entry from Thailand ‘Khan Kluay’ as the opening film. Children in large numbers along with delegates from different parts of the country took part in the inaugural of the week-long film festivities.

In his address, Mr. Dasari Narayana Rao took strong objection at the way the film festivals were conducted and criticised the organisers for “lack of local involvement.”

He wondered why no one from the State or for that matter, from the South was part of the proceedings. The prestigious event was conducted in Hyderabad but there was not a single director from the State, he pointed out.

‘No Telugus’

“How many Telugus are on the Board of Children’s Film Society, India?” he asked.

In a direct address to CFSI Chairperson Nafisa Ali, the Minister said, “You have no faith in the South but I am telling you only the South can compete with the best. Try to recognise this and take it into confidence.”

Clarifying that he was speaking as a film personality and not as Union Minister, Mr. Rao regretted that the film festival was turning into a mere formality with little involvement from any quarter.

The delay in construction of an exclusive complex in the city too was raised and he said though the government was prepared to provide land and money, no progress was made by the CFSI so far.

YSR’s plea

Earlier in his address, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy urged the film industry to work towards moulding the country’s future citizens by raising their creative thinking through the medium. Established producers and directors should take the lead in the endeavour, he said.

Ms. Nafisa Ali remarked that very few films meant for children were made in the country and wanted the film industry to pay attention to this aspect. She urged the children to raise their voice and demand more films for themselves. Film actress Jayasudha, actor Prabhas and others participated.

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