Film festivals for children

BANGALORE: Children’s film festival is an integral part of film festivals held in the City. Many children’s films go unnoticed on release among the several commercial films bombarding the scene and hogging publicity. City Express sheds light on the Children’s film festival in the city.President of Children’s India, Nanjunde Gowda said, “We only showcase children’s films in the film festival hosted by Children’s India. This film festival takes place every year in the month of January. The 7th Children’s film festival is to be held in the upcoming year in the month of January where more than 40 films are to be screened. Many Indian language films will find place along with films from countries such as Italy, Bangladesh, United States, United Kingdom, Columbia, Iran, China and Srilanka among others.”"There are no theme-based films but country-focused films held in the festival. Explaining about the country- focused films," he says."One particular theatre in the city screens movies belonging to one country exclusively. The festival is to be held across four to five theatres in each city.In the previous edition of the festival, Chinese children’s films exclusively were screened to increase awareness among children about Chinese tradition and culture.”Nanjunde Gowda explains that the uniqueness of the children’s film festival lies in the fact that the festival is hosted in different cities and towns of the state simultaneously.He says, “We have never repeated the film festivals in the same cities or towns in the state because we intend to give an opportunity for children from all over the state to watch the movies which are specially made for them. This helps them to gain knowledge about different cultures and societies.”Regarding the subsidy granted by the government towards children’s films, he says, “We have put in an effort to get government’s attention to grant subsidies for the children’s films produced in Karnataka. Since 2005, the Government has been granting Rs 25 lakh per film. Today, Kannada film industry in particular, is producing some of the best children’s films in the country. These films garner international acclaim. The films win national awards for the direction, screenplay and child actors’ performances regularly.”There is a good response in terms of audience to children’s film festivals in the City. Over a lakh of people attended the film screening along with their children in the previous editions, he says.