LAHORE (Staff Report) – The Little Art in collaboration with Cinepax Cinemas and Alhamra Arts Council opened the six-day 7th International Children’s Film Festival-2015 at a local hotel on Sunday
The opening ceremony also featured screening of 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. A total of 77 films for children from 26 countries will be showcased at the festival.
Punjab Education and Youth Affairs Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan was chief guest at the event attended by people from film and media industry including Wajiha Raza Rizvi (Independent Researcher Film Museum Society), Fazal Ahmad (Filmmaker). While, Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cruden was the guest of honour.
On this occasion, Rana Mashhood Ahmed said the film festival would greatly help in 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,” he added.
While, Heather Cruden said, “I am 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.”
The Festival Director Shoaib Iqbal said that this year is a celebration of the most amazing films they 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 open the festival with another fantastic programme that showcases the best of global cinema in all its diversity,” he maintained.
Shoaib also invited audiences to open their minds to a number of stories told through the efforts of The Little Art and urged them to support their initiative in contributing to the artistic and cultural life for children of Pakistan. The Little Art has regularly been holding this annual festival since 2008.
