Children to enjoy more than 200 movies at Kolkata International Children's Film Festival

Partha Chatterjee, the state Education Minister, Bratya Basu, the minister of state for Information and Cultural Affairs department, film maker Sandip Ray and Arpita Ghose Chairperson of Sishu Kishore Academi were present at the inaugural ceremony.

More than 200 films from 32 countries will be screened in the film festival where thousands of children will get to see their favourite characters.

The festival that has been inaugurated on Friday will continue till January 27.

"Sniff" was the inaugural movie. The child artist of the movie, Khushmeet Gill, was present. The inaugural programme became popular with the presence of Nur Islam and Samsul Alam, child artistes who performed in "Sahaj Pather Goppo".

The film festival will end on January 27 with Sagnik Chatterjee's documentary film "Feluda: 50 Years of Rays Detective".

It may be mentioned that like Kolkata International Film Festival, the Kolkata International Children Film Festival has also reached new heights with several initiatives being taken by the Mamata Banerjee government.

With proper studies being carried out, several new aspects have been introduced that has helped the festival in gaining more popularity

in the past six years. An exhibition on Feluda Sargaram has also started at Gaganendra Shilpa Pradarshasala.

A book "Satyajit Ekai Eksho" has also been released in the same programme. Ray said such books are always favourite to people of all ages. The book that was published last year had become immensely popular and it is expected that the book that has been released will be liked by a lot more people.

In connection with the development of the Nandan and its surrounding areas, Sen said the work to

beautify the area has been completed and it is expected that the work to renovate the interior of the auditoriums will also be carried out to take it to an international level. Steps have been taken to promote the place as a tourist destination.