Hyderabad|India|November'2009: The German film ‘ Crocodile, wins the golden elephant.The German film ‘Crocodiles’ a story of teenagers who cracked a suburb an burgarlar gang bagged both the Golden Elephant and also the Silver Elephant for the best screen play in the in the International Competition section at the 16th International Children’s film festival . The film also received citation of special mention in the international category by the child jury.

Chief Minister K Rosaiah presented the Golden elephant award for best feature film in International Competition section to the Austrian film ‘Crocodiles ‘directed by Christian Dittier.

He also presented the Golden Elephant for the best feature film in Asian Panorama section to Chinese film ‘two men’s class room’ directed by Dong Ling.

The Chief Minister also relased three documentaries on the journey of the Telugu cinema and also the CFSI activities on the occasion .

Information and Public Relations Minister Dr J Geeta Reddy presented the Golden Elephant award for the best film (child Jury) in Asian Panorama to the Iranian film ‘Half Mine, Half Yours of Iran directed by Vahid Nik-Kah Azad.

Nandita Das, chair person of the CFSI the presented the Golden plaque for the best film ( child Jury) in the International competition section to the Netherlands film ‘ Letter for the king ‘ directed by Pieter Venhoeff .

She also called on the dais the jury’s including the child jury’s of both the Asian Panorama and the International Competition and presented them to the audience .

Earlier Telugu actor Sri Ram presented the silver elephant award for the Best Short film in Asian Panorama - I feel for my city – Ozone Layer from India.

Telugu Comedian Dr. Rajendra Kumar presented the Silver Elephant award for the best short film in International section –“Elephant “ – UK and directed by Solly Peore.

Union minister of state for I & B Chowdhary Mohan Jatua presented the silver elephant award for the best screen play n Asan Panorama to the Iranian film
‘Child and the Angel ‘directed by Masud Nagashazesh .

The minister also presented the Silver Elephant award to the best screen play in the International competition section to the Austrian film - “Crocodiles “directed by Christian Ditier.

Telugu actor Jagapathi Baby presented the silver elephant for the Best animation film in Asian Panorama to the Iranian film ‘The Cunning tailor and young man’.

16th International Children’s film festival ends

The silver elephant for the best animation film in International section was presented by veteran film producer of Hyderabad to the ‘News Spices ‘ of Latavia directed by Evalds Lacois .

A colorful and glittering climax marked the week long merriment and fun –frolic of the 16th ICFF where the Chief Minister Sri.K Rosaiah presented the golden elephant awards of the 16th International Children’s film festival.

For the eighth consecutive year the jamboree of Gajju, the baby golden elephant, that identified the children’s film movement came to Hyderabad and spent a week entertaining over 1.2 lakh children with international festival films.

Addressing a galaxy of child artistes , child delegates and the cream of the Telugu film industry , the chief minister stressed on the competitive spirit and participation as the main focus issues which made the children’s film festival more vibrant and enchanting .

Addressing the audience the Union Minister of state for information and Broadcasting Chowdhary Mohan Jatua who presided over the valedictory ceremony said that 350 child delegates from all over India participated in the week long International children’s film festival.He said Hyderabad had once again withstood the reputation for its tradition of hospitality and culture .

Earlier the Information and Public Relations Minister DrJ Geeta Reddy congratulated the participants and lauded the role played by all the state government departments in bringing children in large numbers to watch the festival movies at Prasad’s IMAX and other cinema halls in the city .

Ms. Nandita Das , Chair Person of the CFSI said the AP Government and the CFSI had coordinated all efforts to put up a great show of children’s films in which large number of children had benefited watching international festival films.

She also introduced the juries of the childrens section, Asian Panorama and also the International section. The child juries had selected several films for
‘Special mention’ citations.

Earlier addressing the gathering C.Parthasarathi, Commissioner of I & PR and the Managing Director of the APTVT and FDC welcomed the delegates and special invitees for the evening . “ This festival had truly attracted largest number of children - poor, orphans, mentally retarded, visually challenged and even those in juvenile homes to the Prasad’s IMAX “ he said .

Addressing the audience Sushovan Bannerji, the CEO of CFSI said the festival was both thrilling and educating and was confident that the 17th ICFF in 2011 would be still more vibrant and high spirited .

The closing ceremony kicked off this evening at the open air auditorium with the bright and rythematic drum beating by the master Siddhartha Nagaraj, the Limca Book World record holder ,

It was followed by dance, song and folk dance performances by school children chosen from six schools of Hyderabad. Blind girl Kumari Shravya shook the hearts of every one in the audience with her rendering of the song – Kuchi na Kaho, Kuch bhi na Kaho .

Sreyasi Bhattacharya and Hemant, winners of the little champs of the Saregama competition enthralled the audience with their hot numbers.

The feast of cultural programs continued even after the chief guests departed and culminated in the screening of the Golden Elephant award winning German movie of Crocodiles.

•Focus on ethical issues of child exploitation at the 16th ICFF
•'Children’s film policy needed' – OPEN FORUM
•Gajju, the ‘Golden elephant’ is the new mascotof Hyderabad
•Telugu directors seek more funds and mini theatres for children's films screening
•It was a day out for the challenged children of twin cities of Hyderabad
•What children say about children's movement and Films

Reachout's News Bureau
November' 2009