Iran, the undisputed king of children's films, has asserted its position once again. ‘Alafzar' (Meadow), the simple story of two children coming of their age in times of trouble, has won the Golden Elephant for being the Best Feature Film in the ‘Competition International' section of the 17 th International Children's Film Festival which concluded here on Sunday.
The movie directed by Mohammed-Ali Talebi was adjudged the best by a jury of five chaired by Canadian film producer Rock Demers.
However, kids thought otherwise. The Golden Elephant for the Best International Feature Film as adjudged by the Children's Jury went to a German film ‘Vorstadtkrokodile-2' (The Crocodiles Strike Back) which was also the hot favourite among child delegates for the festival.
Danish woman director Vibeke Muasya won the award for the Best Director-International, for her film ‘Kidnappet' (Lost in Africa) which focuses on the alienation experienced by a Kenyan-Danish boy in the country of his origin.
In the ‘Indian Competition' section, both adult and children's juries concurred upon ‘Chillar Party' directed by Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl as the Best Feature Film. Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni won the award for the Best Director for his film ‘Vihir'.
Also unanimous in both juries was the decision about the award for the Best Short Film, which was bagged by the German film ‘Neuneinhalbs Abschied' (Nineandahalf's Goodbye) directed by Halina Dyrschka.
Varun Haldar and Binita Nayak were adjudged the best among the ‘Little Directors' for their film ‘Hamari Duniya'. Governor E.S.L.Narasimhan, who was the Chief Guest at the awards function, urged upon the mainstream directors and producers to set aside a part of their profits for making children's films.
Chairperson of the Children's Film Society, India Nandita Das said around 1.75 lakh children watched films.
