By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Serving as a temporary relaxation module, the two-day Children’s Film festival managed to gather a round of applause from the school students who were treated to a varied ensemble of films on Thursday.
“This festival aims at instilling a sense of creativity among the school students while providing a kind of relaxation to the students who are undergoing pressures in terms of studies and other extra curriculum activities,” Monica Sahi, Creative Head of the Children’s Film Society, New Delhi said.
The two-day Children’s Film Festival is organized by the Children’s Film Society, India in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture at the U Soso Tham Auditorium.
The Children’s Film Society, India which focuses on inculcating a sense of understanding and appreciation among the children on the culture and lifestyle of other community around the world, has so far produced around 250 films which are being exhibited to over 40 lakhs children every year.
First mooted by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Children’s Film Society, India was founded on May 11, 1955 which acts as a nodal organisation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India with its headquartered in Mumbai. It was learnt that India is one of the few countries to set up the Children’s Film Society.
“The basic idea of this festival is to create art and cinema to reflect the way of life of the people around the world while exposing them to the real world,” Sahi said.
Stressing on the language barrier, Sahi said there is a need to dub these films in Khasi or else English as most these films are being dubbed in the national language which cannot be understood by the major populace of the state.
The Creative Head of the Society has urged the state government to make available these kinds of films specially made for the children adding that “These films can act as a secondary mode of education for the school children”.
While calling upon the film makers of the state to produce such films for the children, Sahi said, “There is a need for imparting knowledge on the way of life of people across the globe and the real essence of life in a more entertaining way which is through the use of media.”
Four children’s movies – Sunshine Barry & The Disco Worms, Halo, Karamati Coat and Kabhi Pass Kabhi Fail – were screened on Thursday while another four will be screened on Friday.
School students, while appreciating the festival, said that such film festivals should be held every year in Shillong.
However, there were a few students who lamented that many school students who are preparing for their Class X Board examinations have been deprived of the opportunity to enjoy the film festival.
“Though this festival managed to gather much applause from the school children, I think organizing this festival in this month is perhaps a bad idea since most of the students preparing for their Tenth examination are going to miss this opportunity,” a school student said.