Mangaluru: The valedictory function of the 10th Annual International Children’s film festival was conducted at Gold Finch here, on November 26.
Shravana Kumar IRS., the CEO of Children’ Film Society India and famous film actor Nagma were the chief guests of the function.
The function was presided by the president of Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy S V Rajendra Singh Babu and the president of Karnataka Law Commission Nadoja Dr S R Nayak.
N R Nanjunde Gowda, the President of Children’s India introduced and welcomed the dignitaries on the dais. He acknowledged that though there had been a few technical difficulties on the first day, the festival went on smoothly for all the remaining days.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr Justice SR Nayak said that the nation was in turmoil and there seemed to be a wave of intolerance. He asked the filmmakers to take a note of this and urged them to make films that made children learn the importance of human bonds and inculcate in them, the love for mother nature.
He also pointed out that many meritorious students seemed to have forgotten that India is a democracy. Thus it was the duty of filmmakers to remind children, the citizens of tomorrow, about the importance of participating in Indian polity.
Nagma said, “We should cherish our childhood days and learn from films depicting childhood. Films with a good message on tolerance should be shown to children. Such movies should make children tolerant towards other people.” She congratulated the government of Karnataka for giving a subsidy of Rs. 25 lakh to four movies every year.
“Incredible India is when there is ‘Unity in Diversity’. This message should be taught to our children”, she added.
S V Rajendra Singh Babu thanked the city authorities for helping to run the film festival smoothly. He said that the festival planned to return to the coastal city again.
The following awards were announced by the jury.
The film ‘Kudhira’ won the award in the Best Actor category.
‘Others Father’, a film from Iran, bagged awards in the Best Actress and the Best Screenplay category.
The awards for the Best Director and the Best Film were won by a Belgian film named, ‘Amazing Whiplala’.
The Best Animated Film award was bagged by a Spanish animated film named ‘Kikos Paradise’.
‘A Boy Who Comes Late Everyday’, a film from South Korea, won the award under the Short Film category.
Under the Indian section, Kannada film ‘Banadi’ won the award for the Best Feature Film.
The Best Girl Child award was won by ‘A Daughters Dream’ and the Best Boy Child award was won by ‘Jagdeesh’.
M Vedhkumar, P Sheshadri, Somarathna, Rajendra Mahapatra, Prachi, Rana, Manan Hira, and Jyothsna were also present.