The 19th International Children's Film Festival India (ICFFI) got off to a colourful start here on Saturday.
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajvardhan Singh Rathore inaugurated the festival, being jointly organised by the Children's Film Society of India (CFSI) and the Telangana government.
At the glittering inaugural ceremony held at Shilpa Kalavedika, the minister lit the ceremonial lamp along with CFSI chairman Mukesh Khanna and actresses Kareena Kapoor, Karishma Kapoor and Tabu.
The festival began with the screening of inaugural film "Happy Mother's Day" and colourful cultural performances by child artistes.
As many as 300 films will be screened at 12 theatres in the city during the festival, which will conclude on November 20.
Though Hyderabad has been hosting the biennial event since 1996, this is the first after formation of Telangana state.
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For the first time, the state authorities have made arrangements for the screening of children's films at theatres in all district headquarters.
Titled "Golden Elephant", the festival has received 1,204 entries from 80 countries, claimed to be the highest ever received for any film festival in the world.
The festival being organised with the theme 'Digital India' will witness films competing with each other for 20 awards in categories like Little Directors, International Animation, International Live Action and Asian Panorama.
CFSI CEO Shravan Kumar said 37 entries from seven countries have been received for the section 'Little Directors', a competition section of films for children made by children.
About 500 children delegates from India and abroad have registered for the event. The organisers have booked a five-star hotel for the delegates who will also get a chance to interact with well-known filmmakers and other celebrities.
During the festival, orientation workshops, seminars, script writing and other activities will be organised to involve children in filmmaking.
The city has been decked up for the event with colourful festoons, balloons, cut-outs and danglers being displayed at major traffic intersections and theatres screening the movies.