International Children’s Film Festival in Hyderabad from 14 November

Organisers of the 18th International Children’s Film Festival of India (ICFFI) are gearing up to host the festival in Hyderabad this year from 14 to 20 November. Avers festival director and CEO, Children’s Film Society of India (CFSI) Dr Shravan Kumar, “There will be a special performance by 12 children with special needs along with Dr Pasha, who is himself a physically challenged person at the Lalitha Kala Thoranam in Hyderabad. They will do an act on 'Discovery of India' at the inaugural ceremony of the 18th ICFFI.” “We will also have a special screen dedicated to children with special needs and will be making special provisions like ramps to make it easier for them to move around at the other venues as well,” Dr. Kumar added. The film festival will also have an open forum to hold discussions on issues faced by children with disabilities helmed by prominent theatre and film personalities. “The festival popularly known as The Golden Elephant will cater to children universally including the physically challenged kids,” averred filmmaker and chairman, CFSI Amole Gupte. “Every child is special — this has been my motto for life. And therefore, when it's about coming up with a section for special needs at the 18th Golden Elephant (ICFFI), I feel mighty proud because I firmly believe that all children are equal,” he concluded. The festival promises to be the biggest ever when it will screen 175 films from 45 countries around the world. Over 1,50,000 children are expected to attend the festival.