18th Intl. Children's Film Festival to commence from 14 November at Hyderabad

The 18th edition of the International Children’s Film Festival of India (ICFFL) is scheduled to be held at Hyderabad from 14 to 20 November (2013). Said eminent filmmaker and Chairman of the Children’s Film Society, Amole Gupte, “We have received an overwhelming response this year and we aim to make the festival bigger and better than ever before.” The Festival boasts of as many as 845 entries from more than 70 countries. “We have also received films from far-flung 20 countries like Austria, Chile, Cuba, Lebanon, Ghana that were not represented in the 17th ICFFI.” Lalitha Kala Thoranam has been selected as the venue for the inaugural and closing ceremony this year while the films will be screened at Prasad IMAX Multiplex and seven other theatres. Averred Festival Director and CEO, Children’s Film Society, India Dr Shravan Kumar, “We are sourcing international award winning films featured in the 20 most prestigious International children’s film festivals including Dutch nomination for the Academy Awards and other recent children’s films that have won or featured in Berlinale, Toronto, Cannes etc.” Detailing the highlights of the festival, Kumar adds, “There are many ‘firsts’ in this festival. Some of the ICFFI films have been sourced from Cannes Film Market, allowing us to pick a selection of the latest children’s films, awaiting their World/ Asian Premiers.” The festival will present four competitive sections. The best film would bag the Golden Elephant trophy and Rs 2 lakhs in cash while the second best feature will bag the Golden Elephant Plaque with a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. The Festival will also focus on “Children with Special Needs” through its Open Forum in which filmmakers will interact with activists, educators and parents. Films representing children with special needs will also be screened. In collaboration with Zlin Film Festival – the oldest Children’s film festival in the world, 18th ICFFI will also bringing in the best of Czech children’s cinema in the Country Focus section, including animations created by world renowned Czech animators.