The once-in-two-year International Children’s Film Festival will begin in Hyderabad on November 14, which coincides with Jawaharlal Nehru’s birth anniversary. Fondly called “Chacha Nehru” by the young, November 14 is celebrated as Children’s Day. Though Hyderabad has long been the venue for the Festival – keeping in the view the importance of having a permanent place – an attempt was made this year to shift the week-long event to North-east India.

To run till November 20, the Festival got a flood of entries this time, no less than 741 from 86 countries. About 154 were chosen from 37 nations. Some of the highlights are Iran's The Other, France's Tales Of The Night, China's The Star And The Sea,

Gautaman Bhaskaran

Denmark's The Great Bear,  and India's Chillar Party, Stanley Ka Dabba, and I Am Kalam.  First reports talks of the lineup being impressive.

The competition has been divided into four categories: international with 15 features, Indian with 10 movies, one for shorts with 24 entries and, finally, one for little directors with 11 films.

The Indian and the little directors’ (age six to 16) competition have been introduced this year.

Besides these, a section on Children’s World will have 100 best pictures of the past decade. China’s Children’s Film Association has also sent several movies.

Features in the Indian and International categories will separately vie for a top cash prize of Rs 200,000 and the Golden Elephant. Many more cash prizes will be awarded in other sections as well.