This year's 19th International Children's Film Festival of India(ICFFI), also known as Golden Elephant, will be hosted by Telangana in Hyderabad from November 14, with the theme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Digital India' programme, a top official said here on Saturday.
The week-long fest, starting from Children's Day, will have a special Asian Panorama showcasing films made on this continent, said festival Director Shravan Kumar.
"Besides involving the government, film fraternity and eminent persons from India and abroad, there will be a series of events planned around Prime Minister's favourite programme, Digital India," Kumar told IANS.
Children's Film Society India (CFSI) chairman Mukesh Khanna said the children are the future of our nation and such events allow them to receive exposure to the global culture.
The festival will open at Shilparamam -- the arts, crafts and cultural village in Hyderabad with screenings of children's movies in multiple venues in the city.
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Around 80 countries shall participate in the Golden Elephant, including international entries for the Little Directors concept that was introduced in the ICFFI in 2014, Kumar added.
"This year, we have receive an astounding 1204 films from 80 countries... Last year, there were 894 entries from 75 countries and prior to that 748 entries from 75 countries. This growing number of entries reflects the increasing popularity and recognition for ICFFI," Kumar said.
CFSI has been making children's films for the Indian market since its inception in 1955 and four years back, its production 'Gattu' was the first commercially movie which earned a Special Mention by the International Jury at Generation Berlinale, Berlin in 2012.
Later, its film "Pappu Ki Pugdandi" was officially selected for the Toronto International Film Festival Kids 2015 in April this year.
For the upcoming 19th ICFFI, some of the internationally acclaimed and awarded movies scheduled to be screened are: "Maya The Bee" (Germany), "Celestial Camel" (Russia), "Pim & Pom - The Big Adventure" (Belgium), "My Skinny Sister" (Sweden), and "Rainbow" (India).
