All set for 18th International Children’s Film Festival in the city

Hyderabad, Nov 13 : The Children’s Film Society India (CFSI) has selected – ‘Gopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya’ for screening at the inaugural of the prestigious 18th International Children’s film festival of India beginning at Hyderabad on Thursday.

The 78 minute animation film directed by Shilpa Ranade is the fabulous story of Gopi and Bagha, a pair of musicians gifted with magical powers by the King of Ghosts has been a stellar success in several is actually the Hindi version of the Iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s popular Bengali film ‘Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen’ . The 1969 film directed by Ray is based on a story by his grandfather Upendra Kishore Ray. It is said that it was Satyajit’s son Sandip who had encouraged him to make the movie, which became very popular among children.

The film is the main attraction at the inaugural event at Lalit Kala Thoranam on Thursday when the ‘the golden elephant’ the mascot of the 18th Icffi where the heart throb of the youth Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor and the lyricist ,writer, director and poet Gulzar will enthral the children make special appearance.

The mega event of the Children film society and the Government of Andhra Pradesh is being inaugurated by the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and the Union minister of Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari will preside over it.

Dana Kishore, managing director of the APSFTVTDC said we are fully geared to receive 5000 child delegates and another 100 odd national and international delegates for a week long bonanza of films, cultural events, and an array of festivities of all regional dishes, traditions and arts on display every day . ‘The city is decked up with festoons, hoardings and also huge ballons of the mascot –GAJJU- and enthuse the crowds about the

He said the film festival will throw open a entire new world of cinema to children across 12 theatres and three auditoriums in the state capital. ‘On an average 20,000 children will get the benefit to view the films every day ‘. The cultural events will focus on spreading the message of unity in diversity and showcasing the cultural diversity of the country every evening from November 15th to Nov.19th.

As a special incentive and support the volunteers of the national green corps and the officials of the Women and child welfare will escort services at Railway stations, bus stations, hotels, main venue and festival theatres .To ensure that the children carry sweet memories of their participation in the film festival, the Government of AP has provided 3-star accommodation to child delegates and 5 star facility to foreign delegates.

Kishore said the APSFTVTDC has also launched a special website .www.icffihyd-fdc.in to provide all updates on the happenings surrounding the 18th edition of the children’s film festival and all journalists and interested admirers of children’s films could log into the same for regular updates articles, film reviews, photos and video clippings. INN