· Expected participation over 15000 in comparison to the last year with 12000 participation
New Delhi, November 14, 2016: Smile Foundation, a national level development organisation benefitting over 400,000 children and their families, is back with the second edition of its most awaited International Film Festival -SIFFCY; ‘Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth’! The only children film festival in India organized by a development organization which will premiere more than 100 films including feature, short, documentaries and films made by children during the weeklong festival at Sirifort Auditorium, New Delhi from December 5 to December 11, 2016.
The jury panel involves international industry experts, Sannette Naeye, Festival Director of Cinekid-Netherlands, World’s biggest children film festival and Fusun Eriksen, Advisor-Danish Cultural Institute, Former Director- BUSTER Copenhagen Film Festival, Founder of Artopia, Denmark, along with top management of advisory board Nagesh Kukunoor, Hansal Mehta, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Resul Pookutty, Jahnu Barua and Santosh Sivan.
This time, SIFFCY has handpicked films for children and youth and has 5 different categories consisting of International competition, The Yellow Carpet– Special screening of selected great films, 70mm Smile - Best meaningful films from across the globe which will be non-competitive, Next-Gen- Films made by film students and Take one which will include films made by children.
SIFFCY ensures a meaningful cinema for children and youth of the age group 6 years to 25 years. It is a special platform to showcase value-based films with substance, supporting emerging filmmakers, recognizing potential and promoting the diverse perspectives of global cinema.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Santanu Mishra, Festival Chairman- SIFFCY said “We are extremely happy to announce that we are back with the second edition of SIFFCY. We aim to sensitize children and youth through meaningful cinema and create a lasting impact in their minds through SIFFCY. On one hand we work with underprivileged children and their families and on the other hand under the concept of ‘civic driven change’ we try sensitizing privileged masses especially children through mediums like SIFFCY”
Smile Foundation has continuously tried to sensitize and engage the masses through there foray into producing films. From documentary, short to feature films, Smile Foundation has been successful and has won several awards in all the categories. The Foundation has already produced close to 60 short films and documentaries besides a feature film titled ‘I AM KALAM’ which has received more than 22 international awards and a national award.
“Last year, SIFFCY witnessed a large amount of children participation. Apart from offering a unique platform to children to enjoy meaningful cinema, this year our focus is to encourage and involve children especially from the underprivileged background, in the process of filmmaking. We will be conducting workshops on Filmmaking, Art design, Cinematography & Storytelling with well-known personalities from the industry. Filmmaking & photography workshops have already started in different cities of the country two months back. We are looking forward to a bigger participation this year. “Said Mr. Jitendra Mishra, Festival Director – SIFFCY.
Many Leading international organizations like BFI, CINEKID, WILDEGANZEN and CFSI - an autonomous body under Ministry of I&B, Government of India have already been partnered with the festival to support among others.
About Smile Foundation:
Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation benefitting over 300,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.