QUALITY FILMS TO BE SCREENED AT THE 17TH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, HYDERABAD.

INVC,,

Delhi,,

Press conference of the 17^th International Film Festival, Hyderabad took place at Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi. Presiding over the conference were the Chair Person of Children Film Festival, India (CFSI), Nandita Das, CEO, CFSI, Sushovan banerjee, FICCI Munjal Shroff and Joint Secretary Films, D.P. Reddy.

Acquainting about the 17^th International Film Festival, Hyderabad that starts from 14^th November, 2011 to 21^st November, 2011 Nandita Das said, “We will show many well made and brilliant films to the children. We have around 15 international films and 11 national films to be screened throughout the 7 day event. Our main aim is not to screen films in bulk in the name of a film festival, but to familiarize the children with the whole concept of film making, direction, camera handling, and script writing. Hence, we have many workshops on the same that will help the children in understanding the cinema better.”

Talking about the film direction competition Nandita Das informed us that, a special jury will preside over the films made for and directed by children. All in all it will be a total learning experience exclusively for children.

She also said that, “Through this festival we are focusing on quality of the cinema and not on its quantity. Today’s children are open to watch films that are different, informative, useful and educative as well as entertaining. As, the children at the Delhi Film Festival absolutely enjoyed the black and white film of Shyam Benegal’s ‘Charandas Chor’.

The CEO of CFSI, Sushovan Banerjee added, “70 acres of land has been allocated as the venue of the 17^th International Film Festival to be held in Hyderabad. Apart from all the film screenings and workshops taking place, the venue boasts of enormous Play Area, Water Park and other entertaining and exciting elements. The budget for the entire festival sums up to around Rs. 5 crores. The central government has provided the film festival with Rs. 1.75 crore.”

Addressing the media about her experience in Kashmir, Nandita Das said, “Children in Kashmir were extremely excited to watch films as there are no theatres to watch films at. So watching films from all over the world especially meant for children was a new and thrilling experience for them. Through this festival we hope to screen well made and enlightening films and conduct useful workshops for the children all over India.”

She hopes to expose more and more children to this medium, entertain and educate them through these film festivals, all across India.