International Film Festival for Children and Youth: ‘Chidiya’ won the best film

The ongoing second edition of the week-long Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) by Smile Foundation held at Sirifort Auditorium announced the winners across categories in the capital in the presence of the ace actor, Vinay Pathak. ‘Chidiya’ by Mehran Amrohi walked away with the Best Film award whereas Mr. Eduard Bordukov won the Best Director award for his movie, ‘The Pitch’.

Best Story award was won by ‘At Eye Level’ by Joachim Dollhoph and Leonie Souchaud was awarded as the Best Actor for her movie ‘Fanny’s Journey’. ‘King’s Day’ by Steven Wouterlood received the Best Short Film award. Award in the special category of films on the special message was won by the movie ‘Mr. Frog’ by Anna Van Der Heide. Movie ‘Famous in Ahmedabad’ by Hardik Mehta received a Special Mention award.

 The jury included Ms. Sannette Naeye, Netherlands, Mr. Ashok Rane, India and Ms. Fusun Eriksen, Denman. A special award, Best Students Film (Next Gen) selected by the students was won by ‘Fish Hook’ by Jeswin Jose.

The festival received a footfall of over 15,000 and more than 2000 film entries this year from around 50 countries across the globe. 22 films that have been judicially selected by the jury cover categories across feature, non-feature and critically acclaimed Indian films.

On the occasion of the award ceremony, Jitendra Mishra, Festival Director, SIFFCY said, ‘We have received a huge footfall of 15,000 and with the participation of International and National juries and eminent personalities; SIFFCY has been a huge success this year.’

‘There are very few such film festivals for Children and youth. It is important that we promote good and inspiring cinema and we need more such film festivals like this in the country’, said by Vinay Pathak, well-known theatre and film actor.

Adding on, Mr. Santanu Mishra, Chairman, SIFFCY said, ‘We are really thankful to our promoters and supporters for their continuous and generous support. We have greater plans to come back with a bigger and better edition 3 of SIFFCY next year.’

The festival was associated with Emars Events as their production partner and Book My Show as the support partner where BMS facilitated the screenings and workshops for the underprivileged children during SIFFCY.