An estimated 1.5 lakh children are expected to view about 200 selected films during the week-long 18 International Children’s Film Festival India (ICFFI) unfolding here from November 14.
“We have completed all preparatory activities and have reviewed the arrangements – from screening theatres to the reception for about 550 national and international delegates, logistics and security measures,” Chief Secretary P.K. Mohanty said.
Mr. Mohanty held a final review meeting along with Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Bimal Julka, Children’s Film Society of India CEO Shravan Kumar, among other officials on Monday.
The inaugural and closing ceremonies would be held at Lalitha Kalathoranam. Cine star Ranbir Kapoor and renowned lyricist and director Gulzar would participate in the inaugural function while Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy would be the chief guest.
Mr. Julka, who went round the venues and the hi-tech media centre that was opened at Imax here on Monday, said the festival received 896 entries from 74 countries. They also include 123 entries under the Little Directors Sections – films made by children from India and around the world. About 30 shows would be organised daily.
Movies sourced from the Cannes Film Market and other international award winning films would be screened in 10 screens across the city, including four at Prasad’s Imax.
A total of 16 awards in four categories would be given away in the competition section, and for the first time, the Animation features category was included, Mr. Julka.
In the non-competitive section, Czech Republic, the country In Focus, will present 15 of its best children’s films while the Children’s World would present 85 award winning international and national films from the last decade, he said.
For the first time, the ICFFI received 26 films from South America, a region that had scant representation in previous editions, Mr. Julka added.
