The 18th International Children's Film Festival (ICFFI), popularly known as 'The Golden Elephant', will be held here from November 14-20.
The festival will present four competitive sections and the best film would bag the Golden Elephant trophy and Rs 2 lakhs in cash. The second best feature will bag the Golden Elephant Plaque with Rs 1 lakh in cash.
Filmmaker Amole Gupte, who is the Chairman of the Children's Film Society, said, "We have received an overwhelming response this year and we aim to make the festival bigger and better than ever before."
"We have got over 845 entries from more than 70 countries. We have also received films from 20 countries like Austria, Chile, Cuba, Lebanon, Ghana that were not represented in the 17th ICFFI. The number of entries for the section 'Little Directors' which will feature films made by children is over 100," the "Stanley Ka Dabba" director added.
The seven-day event will also focus on "Children with Special Needs" through its Open Forum, where filmmakers will interact with activists, educators and parents. Films representing children with special needs will also be screened.
A Master-Class Workshop on 'how to market Indian children's films internationally' will be organised in collaboration with Cine-Kid, Amsterdam, the world's most popular children's film market.
In collaboration with Zlin Film Festival, the oldest Children's film festival in the world, ICFFI will also bring in the best of Czech children's cinema in the Country Focus section, including animations created by world renowned Czech animators.
"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," said Shravan Kumar, Festival Director and CEO, Children's Film Society.
