Children part of ICFFI jury

Children between the age group of 5 years and 15 years will join the jury panel of 18th International Children's Film Festival India (ICFFI), starting Nov 14 in Hyderabad, said Shravan Kumar.

Shravan Kumar is the CEO of Children's Film Society India (CFSI).

"The little directors are aged between 6 years and 16 years. The child jury members are aged between 5 years and 15 years," he told IANS Thursday on the sidelines of poster unveiling of the fest.

"Last time also the child jury asked questions to adult directors. They were relevant queries and were appreciated at open forums. Children have good perspective. Nowadays, they are familiar with gadgets and making movies has become an activity for them," he added.

As many as 1,50,000 children are expected to watch 200 films at the seven-day festival.

There will be child delegates as well.

"The challenge is to get children delegates from all across the world. There will be about 500 children delegates and they will be exposed to the international delegates and jury members. We want children from abroad to be exposed to Indian kids," said Shravan Kumar.

Organisers are also encouraging movies made by children on mobile phones.

"It is the idea, story and presentation which is more important than the technology," he said.

The biennial fest will have four categories and 16 awards. Some of the movies that will be shown in the little directors competition category include "Baheliya's Trap", "Save the Tiger" and "The Apple who Cried Wolf".

"From next year we plan to start national film festival for children," said Shravan Kumar.