Mumbai: The WorldKids International Film Festival (WKIFF), the first film festival in India specifically aimed towards children and young adults, ended after an active week with acclaimed filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker being presented an ‘Entertainment with a Purpose’ award for his pioneering work.
Also present on the occasion was social activist Nafisa Ali, who is the chairperson of Children’s Film Society of India. Global Kids for Kids founder Mikhail Maniatis announced Kids for Kids India and the holding of the Global Kids for Kids festival in association with WorldKids International Film Festival in Mumbai later this year. Global Kids for Kids is an international initiative that encourages movies made by filmmakers under 16 years of age.
Schoolchildren from the Sanskriti School were present along with the chairperson of their school Jaya Chandrashekhar. The closing ceremony would not have been complete without a movie screening, and it did not disappoint the audiences! Hayat from Iran was shown and, from the enthused responses, it was obvious that the crowd had thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony.
Festival Director Manju Singh said, "If, through WorldKids, we are able to open the eyes of the children, their parents and teachers to the power of high-quality cinema, then the work is worthwhile – from the responses that we got throughout this week, I know that many eyes have been opened."
Gowariker said, "As a filmmaker, there is a constant struggle between making movies that I know the public will receive well, and movies that I believe are purposeful, and have content and value. WorldKids International Film Festival proves that these need not be mutually exclusive sentiments, and what is more, the two can coexist even in movies specifically geared towards children and young adults."
The weeklong WKIFF was held in association with private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank, leading foods and beverage company Mother Dairy, ITC’s Classmate range of stationery, premier education institute Amity School, PVR Cinemas – the pioneers in the field of cinema exhibition, Select CITYWALK and Svelte were the hospitality partners of the festival.
