THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL

The 2nd ICFF witnessed a large participation of 223 films from 38 countries. Out of these, 150 films were selected by a preview committee for the final screening. The preview committee consisted of Mr B. Divakar (Prof Film,MCRC Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi), Mr Deepak Roy (independent filmmaker, Delhi), Mr Vilayat Jafri (ex-director DD, Lucknow),Ms Dhvani Desai (animator,filmmaker Mumbai), Mr. Ahmad Hameed Sheikh (multimedia expert & CMS filmmaker) and Ujjwal Krishna (child member, La Martiniere College Lucknow).

On 6th April 2010 Darsheel Safari of the Tare Zameen Par fame inaugurated the first day, first show of the festival at the World Unity Convention Centre of CMS Girls’ Degree College together with the minister for Urban Development & Entertainment Mr Nakul Dubey and the Bishop of Lucknow Dr Gerald John Mathias.

On the first day itself as many as 10,000 students from various reputed schools of Lucknow thronged the auditoriums at World Unity Convention Centre of CMS Girls’ Degree College, Kanpur Road. Besides, thousands of children also gathered at four major multiplexes of the city – Wave, Fun Cinema, Inox and PVR and also at Capitol cinema hall to watch children’s films.

After the arrival of all the eminent guests at WUCC, the inaugural function began with the Lighting of the lamp of Learning and seeking the blessings of the Almighty. Thereafter minister for Urban Development & Entertainment Mr Nakul Dubey and the Bishop of Lucknow Dr Gerald John Mathias addressed the enthusiastic gathering and praised the idea of using the potent medium of cinema to incorporate moral values in our children. This was followed by the unveiling of the fetival logo and the festival poster. Later the festival brochure was released by all the eminent guests present.

A panel of eminent jury members from India and abroad comprising of Ms Vladislava Vojnovic from Serbia, Mr Toshifumi Matssushita from Japan, Mr P. R Ramdasa Naidu, Mr Shaji N Karun were invited to judge the films that were selected for the competition by the preview members. The young jury members comprised of Ms Shweta, Ms Shivangi Sharma and Master Apurv Trivedi. Mr Srinivassa Santhanam was the festival advisor. Highlighting the importance of Oneness in religion and peace amongst nations, students of CMS Station Road presented the All Religion Peace Prayer Dance on the occasion

Finally the much awaited moment arrived when Darsheel Safari alongwith other guests declared the ICFF 2010 open. Seven days of wonderful children’s movies with the power to inspire, motivate and educate was thrown open for the children to explore and learn. A press conference was also held later during the day.It was adrressed by Dr Jagdish Gandhi and Darsheel Safari.Being a child celebrity Darsheel was quite upbeat about the festival and praised Mr Jagdish Gandhi for organising such an event.

Besides the action at CMS World Unity Convention Centr, and four mini auditoriums at CMS Girls’ Degree College, Kanpur Road, films on all the seven days were also screened at four major multiplexes of the city – at Wave, Fun Cinema, Inox and PVR and also at Capitol cinema hall.

To capture the views of the audience, a fully equipped team of CMS media personnels from the multimedia department conducted interviews at CMS World Unity Convention Centre and the four multiplexes. The audience were all praises for CMS for organising a film festival of this stature for the children of Lucknow.

The second day of this seven day long film festival was inaugurated by veteran actor and theatre personality Mr Farookh Sheikh alongwith actress Nagma. Hon’ble minister for Power, Mr Ram Veer Upadhyay also graced the occasion on the day. The Lamp of Learning was lit by the guests to declare another day of fun and learning open for the children. Addressing the audience all the three guests Mr Farooq Sheikh alongwith actress Nagma and hon’ble minister for Power, Mr Ram Veer Upadhyay were unanimous in their view that it was a great job done on the part of CMS for organising a festival of such a kind. Mr Farooq Sheikh even went on to say that he was not aware that CMS was doing such a noble service of instilling moral values in todays youth by using the medium of cinema. Later speaking to media persons in a press conference, Mr Farookh Sheikh asked the media also to support such endevours.

A painting competition was also organised for the children of classes 3rd to 5th. The topic was “PAINT THE TOWN RED”. Students from various schools of Lucknow participated in the contest. Director cum story writer and the former CFSI Chairperson Sai Paranjpye inaugurated the 4th day of the festival. Addressing the audience she spoke about the impact of violence depicted through films, on the minds of children.

Musical reality show winner of the Saregama fame on Sony Entertainment television, Vineet Singh inaugurated the 5th day of the festival together with the Hon’ble minister for Panchayati Raj UP, Mr Swami Prasad Maurya. The last day of this grand festival was graced by the actor who acted in many blockbuster films of yesteryear Mr Amol Palekar together with his wife Sandhya Gokhale.

Also, the awards were announced and given away to the directors of the films selected by an eminent body of jury members comprising of Ms Vladislava Vojnovic from Serbia, Mr Toshifumi Matssushita from Japan, Mr P. R Ramdasa Naidu, Mr Shaji N Karun and young jury members Ms Shweta Padmanaban, Ms Shivangi Sharma and Master Apurv Trivedi. Besides, Dr (Mrs) Bharti Gandhi, Founder Director of CMS and the pesident of the fetival gave away prizes and certificates to students who had exeled in the painting and quiz competition organised by the Films And Radio Division of CMS.

After the award ceremony the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr (Mrs) Bharti Gandhi and with this finally the curtains came down on the 2nd ICFF 2010. During the festival nearly 1,00,000 students from various schools in lucknow alongwith their parents attended the festival.The festival was well appreciated by the audience and the effort of City Montessori School to develop sensible, informative yet entertaining and meaningful cinema viewing habit among children was successful to a great extent.