With an aim to bring about societal transformation through young minds, Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) is screening over 150 films across 50 schools pan India this week. The week-long film festival will screen award-winning children’s cinema from across the globe to inculcate the right values in the minds of the young generation.
Through its carefully curated selection of films and associated activities, SIFFCY hopes to foster empathy, understanding, and a sense of social responsibility in its audience. “Under the SIFFCY banner we screen cinema and other visual mediums so children get this opportunity to get positively inspired to create a better society and lead a responsible life,” said Mr. Santanu Mishra, Chairman of SIFFCY and Executive Trustee & Co-Founder of Smile Foundation.
It is important to ensure that children are exposed to age-appropriate content that can contribute positively to their growth and development.
In India, most parents do not encourage their children to watch children’s animated movies, in comparison to the Western world, India has a low level of exposure to children’s films, Mishra said.
SIFFCY, commemorating its 9th edition of the film festival, uses good cinema as a tool to play a significant role in protecting the interests of children. It can help them learn about different cultures, values, and perspectives and develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, good cinema can provide positive role models and promote empathy and understanding toward others.
Through its various programs and initiatives, SIFFCY strives to inspire young minds and empower them to become agents of change in society. Through its carefully curated selection of films and associated activities, SIFFCY hopes to foster empathy, understanding, and a sense of social responsibility in its audience. This approach can help shape their perspectives and attitudes toward life, making them more responsible and empathetic individuals in the future.
Today’s generation has easy access to internet-based content, which impacts their behavior, thought process, and overall personality. Ironically, the Indian film industry also primarily produces celebrity-driven commercial films that cater to a wider audience, rather than child-specific content.
However, in recent years, there has been a growing demand for children’s films in India, and efforts are being made to produce more of them. “Cinema with its larger-than-life character and has unique power, with creative models. Using this we want to contribute to societal change that begins with the young minds of the country,” added Mishra.
We are using cinema to raise awareness about social issues and inspire positive change in society. By creating thought-provoking films and documentaries, we can make a significant impact on people’s lives and contribute to a better world.
