International CHINH India Kids Film Festival to start in Mumbai on Nov 28

Screening over forty five children’s films from over seven countries, the fest is expected to create access to over 2 million students from 1500 schools. The event will be hosted at the Somaiya School, Ghatkopar on Nov 28 and at the Bhaidas Hall, Vile Parle on Nov  30.

The highlight of CIKFF is that this is the only film festival in the world whose jury is comprised exclusively of children below the age of 15. “The thought process of children is different from that of adults, so are their interests, attention span and emotions. What is entertaining for kids often tire adults. So, the practice of adults judging children’s films are intrinsically flawed,” said Meenakshi Vinay Rai, founder of CHINH and the brain behind the festival. “If anyone are equipped to judge children’s films, it is the kids themselves.”

The 9th edition of CIKFF, presented by Arya Global, has ‘hope’ as the central theme. The fest will comprise of screening of films, media literacy workshops, case studies and special forums.

“While all the activities are exclusively centered around kids, we also decided to introduce special forums like Forum on Innovation in Media Literacy for Principals and Forum on Media Literacy in Education for Educators,” said Bharat Malik, Chairman, Arya Global

Another crucial feature of CIKFF is that this is perhaps the only forum in the world where not only films are made ‘for the children’ but also ‘by the children’.

“While we screen films by top children’s film makers, we also have films made by the kids themselves. This demystifies the media to them and cultivates an interest in filmmaking. For the past eight years, children from across India have participated in making child issue based and special films. And some of these films have been surprisingly clever. One should never underestimate the imagination of children,” added Meenakshi Rai.

“When we started the fest nine years back, programmes for children were not very popular in India, but in the last few years there has been a dramatic change. Popularity of Indian toon characters like Chhota Bheem, Mighty Raju and Motu Patlu, and shows like Pakdam Pakdai have created a new interest for the genre. In such a background, fests like CIKFF will play a big role by not only promoting new talent but also cultivating taste for cinema among the kids,” concluded Rai.