The third Kolkata International Children's Film Festival began here today with the Oscar nominated Marathi movie 'Shwaas' (2004) by Sandeep Sawant being the inaugural film.
Speaking at the inauguration of the festival, West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee said, "We want that more and more films are made for children because these films can be enjoyed by children and adults alike."
"The Children are our asset. We want to open a global window to them and film festival is a programme that offers the same. It is necessary to know what the young minds are thinking", said Banerjee who also holds the state Information and Cultural portfolio.
Eminent actor Mohan Agashe, the chief guest on the occasion, urged the chief minister to hold a film festival for the differently abled children.
The 3rd edition of the Festival, in which 186 films from 22 countries would be screened, was inaugurated by a child at the state-run Nandan multiplex. Several other state owned theatres would show the films.
Classics like 'ET', 'Alice in Wonderland', 'Around The World In 80 Days', 'Bicycle Thieves', 'Gold Rush', 'Pather Panchali', would be the special attraction.
In the Indian panorama section, films like 'Hirer Angti', 'Gonsai Baganer Bhoot', 'Sabuj Dweeper Raja', 'Patalghar' and 'Bal Ganesh' will be screened.
Organised by Shishu Kishore Akademi which functions under the state government's information and cultural affairs department, the film festival will run till December 28.
