Kolkata International Children’s Film Festival Celebrates Fantasy and Storytelling with Films from 30+ Countries

The 11th Kolkata International Children’s Film Festival is underway, offering an exciting cinematic experience for young audiences. Scheduled from January 22 to January 28, the festival features 116 films from over 30 countries, giving children a chance to watch beloved stories such as Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, Chhota Bheem, Kakababu, and Professor Shanku on the big screen.

The event was inaugurated on January 22 at Nandan in the presence of acclaimed filmmaker Goutam Ghose, along with notable dignitaries such as Firhad Hakim, Bratya Basu, Shashi Panja, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Indranil Sen, Arpita Ghosh, Shishu Kishore Akademi chairman, and Santanu Basu, Principal Secretary of the I&CA department of West Bengal. The inaugural film, Elham, directed by Dhruva Harsha, narrates the touching story of a young boy and a goat. Child actors Taiyo Chan and Totto Chan also attended the event.

This year’s festival is organized by Shishu Kishore Akademi in collaboration with the I&CA department of the West Bengal government. With “fantasy” as its central theme, the festival showcases films at multiple venues, including Nandan, Rabindra Sadan, Sisir Mancha, Chalachitra Satabarsha Bhavan, Rabindra Okakura Bhavan, Rabindra Tirtha, and Ektara Mukta Mancha.

The screenings feature films from countries like the USA, UK, Czech Republic, Iran, France, Germany, Hungary, China, and Russia. Categories include Fantasy, Bengali Panorama, Literature, World Cinema, and Nature. Classics like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Wizard of Oz, and The Chronicles of Narnia series are part of the fantasy section. Bengali Panorama includes celebrated films such as Hirak Rajar Deshe, Guptodhoner Sondhane, Dabaru, Chander Pahar, and Sagardwipey Jawker Dhan.

The festival also highlights 27 short films and documentaries, adding diversity to the lineup. A special exhibition titled Hatey Kolomey Cinema is being hosted at Gaganendra Shilpa Pradarshashala daily from 2 PM to 6 PM, beginning January 22. Another major attraction is a children’s film quiz, set to take place on Republic Day at 3 PM at Ektara Mukta Mancha in Rabindra Sadan.

More than 1,200 daily passes have been distributed, ensuring widespread participation, including children from social welfare homes and NGOs. The festival promises to inspire young minds by combining entertainment with the magic of storytelling.