HYDERABAD: All arrangements are in place for the upcoming International Children’s Film Festival from November 14 to 20. The week-long festival is going to be a feast to the children of the capital city.
State Information and Public Relations Minister J Geetha Reddy held a meeting with officials of departments concerned to review the arrangements being made for the smooth conduct of the extravaganza.
Speaking to the media later, she said about 70 films would be screened. About 25 films produced by UNICEF on child rights and other subjects will also be screened. It will be the first time that the UN organisation is participating in the film festival.
So far Hyderabad has hosted eight International children’s film festivals in 16 years since the city was declared a permanent venue for the festival.
About 60,000 children, 400 from the State, are expected to participate in the festival from India and abroad. Children from Switzerland, United Kingdom, China, Russia, Belgium, Germany, Iran, Sweden, Netherlands and Sri Lanka will be among the foreign delegates. Besides, 27 film producers from abroad will attend.
Films will be screened for the jury, delegates and journalists at Prasad’s IMAX and for the public at eight theaters and an auditorium _ Sudha 70 mm (Shalibanda), Usha Mayuri (Musheerabad), Cine Planet (Kompally), Laxmikala (Moosapeta), Hitech 70 mm (Madhapur), Harihara Kala Bhavan (Secunderabad), Raghavendra (Malkajigiri) and Konark (Dilsukhnagar).
The screenings will be in the evenings.
Cultural festivals will also be held along with screening films. During the day there will be workshops on filmmaking.
Talented children would be felicitated on the occasion, Reddy said.
Union Minister Ambika Soni will participate as the chief guest at the inaugural and the valedictory. Leading artistes of the Telugu film industry will also participate, she said and added that the city would be duly decked out for the festival.