SIFFCY announces its official film selection

by Shrutee K/DNS

New Delhi: The second edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) scheduled from December 5 to December 11, 2016, announced it’s official selection of 100 films amongst which 22 will be in the International competition section will be screened during the festival at the Sirifort Auditorium, New Delhi.

The festival received more than 2000 film entries this year from around 50 countries across the globe. In the light of world’s best movies that were sent for competition, the jury had a tough time selecting the best 22 films.  The films includes nine features in the international competition section and nine non-features (shorts and documentaries) and a very special category – Yellow Carpet.  Yellow is the colour of exuberant childhood, youthful energy, positivity and progressive change.

The festival has ditched the traditional red carpet concept and is all set to welcome special screenings of highly acclaimed and globally applauded Indian movies that includes Dhanak by Nagesh Kukunoor, Budhia Singh- Born to run by Soumendra Pathi, that has won a National award and a Crystal Bear in the Berlin Film Festival and Gauru- Journey of Courage by Ramkishan Choyal and another National Award winning film – Ottaal, The Trap- by Jayaraaj.

In the feature films category, 9 films have been shortlisted, which includes: At Eye Level, April and the Extraordinary World, Chidiya, Fanny’s Joy, Hang in there Kids! , Heidi, The World of Us, Mr. Frog and The Pitch.

The non-feature category consists of 9 films including The Best Sound in the World, Chika the Dog from the Ghetto, Famous in Ahmedabad, Jonas and the Sea, King’s Day, Sing, The Supermarket, Traces of my Brother and We make Images.

On the selection of the films, Mr. Jitendra Mishra, Festival Director, SIFFCY said “We received more than 2000 film entries from around the globe out of which we have handpicked 100 films and selected the movies which have the supreme finesse of their art, the most compelling storytelling and highly inspiring depiction of world issues. Many of these critically acclaimed films have already traveled to prestigious international film festivals and have numerous nominations and awards to their credit. We have selected movies from culturally rich countries like Taiwan, Switzerland, Canada, Russia, Brazil and South Korea to showcase varied cast, creed and cultures of across the world to our children and expand their mind for a bigger horizon. ”

SIFFCY ensures a meaningful cinema for children and youth of the age group 6 years to 25 years. It is a special platform to showcase value-based films with substance, supporting emerging filmmakers, recognizing potential and promoting the diverse perspectives of global cinema.

About Smile Foundation: Smile Foundation is a national level development organisation benefitting over 300,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through 158 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families, and the community.