LAHORE - The 7th International Children’s Film Festival is starting today (Monday). The Little Art organised the ceremony at Faletti’s Hotel to announce the start of the festival.
The event was attended by special guests and people from the film and media industry such as Wajiha Raza Rizvi (Independent Researcher Film Museum Society), Fazal Ahmad (Filmmaker) and Minister of Education and Youth Affairs Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan as the chief guest. The guest of honor of the ceremony was Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cruden.
Rana Mashood Ahmed spoke of being glad to be a part of this film festival that works in an innovative way providing information and knowledge about children rights and culture.
“The government provides a platform for the betterment of the youth and children. I am interested in expanding the outreach of this festival to children in Government schools over a period of two months so this special content can benefit more children in Pakistan" said Mashood.
The ceremony also screened a showreel of the officially selected short films made by the students from Inter School Nation Filmmaking Competition and some video messages from international filmmaker and the festival show reel for this year.
HE Heather Cruden said, “I’m so excited about the movies being showcased in the festival. It will be a fantastic experience as it promotes positive social and cultural values. It’s the best thing for me to know that these films, being showcased are made by children to encourage them towards creativity.”
This year, the festival will be presented by The Little Art in collaboration with Cinepax Cinemas and Alhamra Arts Council from 16th November, Monday till 21st November, Saturday the Cinepax Cinema, Fortress Square, Lahore. A total of 77 films for children from 26 countries will be showcased at the festival. Festival Director, Shoaib Iqbal said: “This year is a celebration of the most amazing films we have ever received especially made for, by and about children and young people from across the globe. With that in mind we are proud to bring open the festival with another fantastic program that showcases the best of global cinema in all its diversity. I invite audiences to open their minds to the many stories told through the efforts of The Little Art. We also ask you to support our initiative in contributing to the artistic and cultural life for children of Pakistan”.