No matter how old you are today, the movies you adored in your childhood continue to hold a special place in your heart. They pop up in conversations and remain constant favorites on your watch list. This is the magnetic power of good cinema; it ensnares you, weaving itself into the fabric of your memories. Today as the world gathers in France for the Cannes Film Festival, the spotlight shines on the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) by Smile Foundation.
Our festival director, Jitendra Mishra, is our ambassador at Cannes, who is zestfully advocating for children’s content in the ever-changing digital landscape and fostering meaningful connections between children and the world of cinema.
SIFFCY- A Pandora’s Box of Cinema for Children
Representing good cinema for children and youth, SIFFCY (Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth) stands as a flagship endeavor by Smile Foundation, an Indian social organization working with children and their families. Launched in 2015, its primary aim is to engage, encourage, educate, and empower young individuals through the medium of meaningful cinema.
The festival achieves this through screening of value-based films, interactive sessions, capacity-building activities, and related workshops. It has set a high standard in its category and gained recognition as a highly esteemed international film festival dedicated to young audiences.
Held in New Delhi, the weeklong event attracts children and youth across the nation along with numerous national and international industry professionals, jurors, and filmmakers. Following its Delhi edition, the festival travels to various parts of the country, extending its reach to audiences residing in remote locations, small towns, and villages across India.
Lights, Camera, Development: Children’s Cinema Matters
There is no doubt that movies are a source of inspiration and motivation. It intrigues the mind to think beyond the “what ifs”s, it allows us to feel emotions vividly. The intrinsic relationship between movies and humans is always special, which is why it gets even more important to discuss the role of cinema in a child’s journey of development from an early age.
In light of the increasing availability of various entertainment platforms such as OTT, many people ponder whether it’s advisable to entirely restrict children from accessing them. This dilemma arises from the challenge of effectively filtering content, which can be complex and may lead to overlap. However, there’s a pertinent question to consider: Is isolating children from the realm of cinema truly a sustainable and efficacious solution?
Many parents feel that to ensure the healthy growth of their children, it is wise to keep their children away from movies. However, experts believe that by doing this, parents hamper the normal development of their children, while taking away the learning opportunities a movie can offer to their children.
What do children learn from movies?
Like a coin, movies too have two sides- One, children can learn good habits from the movies and be positively impacted whereas, on the other side, children can pick up negative habits like using tobacco, engaging in violent stunts and using foul language. Therefore, it is important to introduce children to movies that showcase and celebrate the goodness of human life.
Classic children’s movies like “The Lion King,” “Finding Nemo,” and “Harry Potter” not only entertain but also educate about friendship, bravery, and the importance of acceptance. These timeless tales serve as moral compasses, guiding children through complex emotions and ethical dilemmas. A poignant scene depicting empathy or resilience can inspire a child to act with compassion and courage in their own lives, for instance, the selfless acts of characters like Matilda, I am Kalam or Forrest Gump can instill values of empathy and determination in young viewers.
Furthermore, animated classics such as “Toy Story” and “Frozen” transport children to fantastical worlds where anything is possible, nurturing their creativity and problem-solving skills. While, films like “Coco” and “Moana” celebrate cultural heritage and identity, promoting cultural diversity and also teach children to respect and embrace inclusivity.
Smile International Film Festival Celebrates Global Children Cinema
At Cannes Film Festival 2024, Smile Foundation holds a significant presence as we champion children’s cinema through SIFFCY, while celebrating the profound influence of children’s films on shaping young perspectives.
Over the past decade, the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) has brought the best of global and indigenous children cinema to India. Every year over 500,000 children attend SIFFCY- both online and offline mode, where they enjoy screening of interesting children’s movies and participate in discussions with filmmakers to understand the versatile world of storytelling.
This year, SIFFCY’24, in collaboration with the European Union, screened at 100 locations nationwide. Celebrating the beautiful artistic relationship between India and Europe, this festival promoted the spirit of empowering young minds through good cinema and film-related workshops. The discussions and experiences of the panelists gave children an opportunity to learn about different cultures, lives and experiences through films, while also developing the creative pursuit of cinematic art.
Our presence at the Cannes Film Festival and SIFFCY’s essence is to remind everyone that movies are powerful tools for child development, offering a window into the world and shaping values, attitudes, and behaviors. By engaging with diverse cinematic experiences, children not only learn about themselves and others but also contribute towards shaping a society and making it more compassionate and inclusive.
