Manoj, Saiyami inaugurate second edition of SIFFCY

Actors Manoj Bajpayee and Saiyami Kher on Monday inaugurated here the second edition of Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) by Smile Foundation.

The film festival, which will take place from December 5-11 at the Siri Fort Auditorium here, will showcase more than 100 films amongst which 22 will be in the international competition section.

"I worked for many years in theatre, during which I tried to rehabilitate many street children. We succeeded in doing that and it gives an example that creative medium can have a long-lasting and powerful impression on a very young mind," said Manoj, whose film "Budhia Singh - Born To Run" will be screened at the festival.

SIFFCY kick off with the screening of Swiss family drama "Heidi", which is based on the novel of the same name by Johanna Spyri.

The festival received more than 2000 film entries this year from around 50 countries.

Saiyami, who made her Bollywood debut with "Mirzya" earlier this year, said films like "Iqbal" and "Rang De Basanti" have had a great influence on her in her growing up years.

"When I was in school, I watched 'Iqbal' and then I watched 'Rang De Basanti' in college. These films have had a great impact on me. Film festivals like these will be very helpful as the selected films are going to leave a long-lasting impression on kids," she said.

Also present at the opening ceremony was Jitendra Mishra, Festival Director, SIFFCY and Santanu Mishra, Chairman, SIFFCY.

Nagesh Kukunoor's "Dhanak", Ramkishan Choyal's "Gauru - Journey of Courage", Mehran Amrohi's "Chidiya", Jayaraj's "Ottaal" and Anjuli Shukla's "Autograph" are some of the Indian films that will be screened at the festival this year.

This year the feature films category will showcase movies like "April and the Extraordinary World", "At Eye Level", "Fannys Joy", "Chidiya", "Hang in there Kids!", "Heidi", "The World of Us", "Mr. Frog" and "The Pitch."

"Children are the future of our nation and it's very important to channelise the right kind of energy within them. Film is an effective medium of storytelling which leaves a lasting impression on the minds of children," Santanu said.

"Through SIFFCY, we are trying to showcase sensible content to the remotest part of the country," he added.

--IANS

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