The 11th Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY) is showcasing a vibrant array of films from around the world. Hosted by Smile Foundation in partnership with the European Union, this year’s festival yet again promises to be a celebration of creativity, diversity, and the power of cinema to inspire positive change.
This year’s edition highlights the European Union and its Member States, with Poland as the country of honour and Italy as the country of focus. Jitendra Mishra, Festival Director of SIFFCY, is committed to forging strong and long-lasting global collaborations.
In an exclusive conversation with The Sunday Guardian, Mishra shares insights into the festival’s evolution, key themes, innovative initiatives, and long-term vision for SIFFCY as a catalyst for positive change among children and youth.
Excerpts
Q. As SIFFCY enters its 11th year, how has the festival grown in terms of audience engagement, programming, and overall impact on children and youth?
A. We began with an audience of 30,000 at the inaugural edition of the festival in 2015. In the most recent edition, our outreach initiatives expanded to connect with 500,000 young individuals
The week-long festival is going to treat the young audience with more than 150 films from above 50 different countries in all categories, over 10 workshops, master-classes and discussion panels on various socially relevant topics. We have carefully selected films from a diverse range of genres and countries of origin, ensuring that each one offers a unique narrative. Most of the feature films will have their Indian premiere at our festival including the internationally celebrated cinematic masterpiece The Tiger’s Nest, directed by the brilliant Brando Quilici, with some even making their world debut. We hope our efforts will not only showcase the best of global cinema but also inspire young audiences to think critically, broaden their horizons, and foster a deeper appreciation for the cultural, social, and emotional stories that shape our world.
Q. What are the key themes or messages being emphasized in this year’s film selection? How do these themes reflect the current global or local concerns affecting children and youth?
A. European Union and its Member States takes the centre-stage at SIFFCY 2025. The official program of the festival features 15 feature films and 50 short films from over 15 EU Member states. We are proud to collaborate with the esteemed European Union on this initiative.Poland is the country of honour, whereas Italy is the country of focus in SIFFCY 2025. We are celebrating best of cinema from Germany, Finland, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Ukraine and we are proud to collaborate with the Polish Institute in New Delhi, Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, Schlingel IFF, Embassy of Finland, Embassy of the Czech Republic and Embassy of Lithuania and Ukraine Embassy respectively for this occasion.
Q. Are there any new categories or innovative initiatives introduced in this edition of SIFFCY to engage young audiences more effectively?
A. We have created a specially designed dedicated OTT platform featuring a diverse catalogue of hundreds of meaningful films from around the world, specifically curated for young audiences. This secure platform is available for free. The objective is to make available of value based films for the young minds in this age of social media, TikTok and reels. Children and youth are the future of any nation. If sensitized from the very beginning, theycan be the best change agents, be it in their family or the community in which they live. But, unfortunately, in today’s world, indifference is fast taking over the natural empathetic tendencies of young people. Dangerous addictions, loneliness, insecurity, violence and aggression have become the common traits of a teenager. Hence, it has become very important to channel the energy and enthusiasm of children and youth into a positive direction, by imbibinga conscious perspective and constructive value system in them.SIFFCY is a genuine effort to address this important issue in an entertaining, engaging, educational, and empowering way.
In addition, we have invited 100 young people from ten different countries including Poland, Ukraine, Norway, Cuba, Belgium, UAE, India and others to be part of the special “Young Jury” section of the festival, where they will determine the winner in this category together. It creates opportunities of exchanging ideas among these young minds.
Q. How have partnerships with organizations like the European Union or other embassies shaped the programming and outreach for this year’s festival?
A. The active involvement of the European Union and other embassies in SIFFCY 2025 aims to foster cultural exchange between the citizens of India and various countries, promoting understanding, respect, and global brotherhood. This exchange of culture, art, and ideas through good cinema cultivates a sense of belonging, which is especially valuable for children and youth, who will a pivotal role in shape the future of humanity.
Q. Apart from film screenings, what workshops, masterclasses, or interactive activities are planned for children and youth during this year’s festival?
A. We have several diversified panels, workshops, and masterclasses this year, such as The Reel Days: Engaging Young Audiences with Good Cinema in the Age of Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, The Cinematic Bridges: Fostering India-Global Collaboration and Opportunities in Cinema, Green Screen: The Impact of Cinema on Environmental Awareness and Climate Change in Shaping Young Minds, Regional is the New Global: Celebrating Regional Cinema from India, photography and filmmaking workshops by the Indian Institute of Photography, and a storyboard-making workshop by Kurt van der Basch from the Czech Republic (Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Brahmastra fame).
Q. What are your long-term goals for SIFFCY, and how do you envision the festival evolving over the next decade?
A. We aim to bring SIFFCY and World Good Cinema to the doorsteps of every young audience across the country, while also showcasing the best of Indian children’s cinema to the world in coming years.