200 films from 48 countries to be screened at ICFFI

As many as 200 films from 48 countries, including some sourced from Cannes, will be screened at the 18th International Children's Film Festival of India (ICFFI) beginning here on November 14.
A retrospective on the Best of Indian Children's Films, in commemoration of the centenary of Indian Cinema, will be the highlight of the event, also popularly known as the 'Golden Elephant', according to Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Bimal Julka.
Addressing a press conference along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary P K Mohanty here this evening, Julka said this year's ICFFI would have a country focus on retrospective of Czech films in collaboration with Zlin Film Festival of Czech Republic.

Zlin Film Festival is the oldest children's film festival in the world which has had over 50 editions.
"The country focus will show a package of 15 children's films from the Czech Republic, from the 1950s to the most recent productions, including live action, animation features and short films. A five-member delegation comprising the Zlin Film Festival director and famous children's film directors will attend the ICFFI," the I&B Secretary said.
For the first time, a competitive section has been opened for international animation films (12) following a huge response.

"We have received a formidable quantity of 285 animation films from across the globe. Keeping in mind the large number of excellent animation features received, we have introduced the competitive section for the films," Julka said.

The films would be screened on ten screens across Hyderabad with 30 shows daily.
The organisers expect 1.50 lakh children to witness the films this year.
In all the ICFFI received 894 nominations from 74 countries, including 26 films from South America for the first time, for the festival.
The competitive sections include international live action (15 feature films), international animation (12), short films (15) and little directors (12).
In the non-competitive section 'Children's World', 85 award-winning international and national films from the last decade would be screened.
The festival will conclude on November 20.