Ashima Sharma, Keekli Reporter, 18th July, 2014, Shimla
An astounding Children’s Film Festival started in Gaiety Theatre on 14th July, 2014. Approximately 10,000 students of the region would be entertained during this six day long Children’s Film Festival, ending on 19th July, 2014. The initiative for the festival was taken by the Deputy Commissioner of Shimla, Dinesh Malhotra, in collaboration with Children’s Film Society India. The DC also officially inaugurated the event in the historic Gaiety Theatre. Commissioner Malhotra while speaking about this unique idea in the city said, “The festival strives to bring the most delightful and imaginative national and children’s cinema to young audiences in the City. Outstanding features, short and animation films will be screened over a period of six days. In a world that is cluttered with consumerist and often violent content for children, we should aim at promoting cinema which is delightful and yet fun for the children. The festival also supports the work of children’s filmmakers for their dedication and talent”.
The famous Gaiety and two other theatres including Ritz and Shahi, would be the venue of this festival where different films made for children would be screen everyday giving free entry to the audience. The Gaiety will host two shows daily in the morning at 11:00 am and during afternoon at 1:00 pm, screening fils like “Krish Tish and Baltiboy-1” and “Balushaha Laghu Film” respectively. From 14th to 16th July Ritz Theatre screened films such as “Karmati Koat (Charismatic Koat)” at 9:00 am and at Shahi Theatre “Chhulaingai Akash ( Sky will be touch) from 17th to 19th. The children were enthralled to see the magical movie in Ritz like the Aek Ajuba (One Wonder) and “Chhota Siphai (Young Solider)”.
Talking to, Akansha, a Class VI student from DAV Lakkar Bazaar, she said, “I have never heard of this movie before and all of us are having a fun time watching it. We should have these kind of movies telecasted on television”. Another student Simran from the same school while enjoying Balushaha Laghu Film said, “It is really a fascinating story. We do not get to see enough of Indian animated movies on television. It is great to be here today”. Risha, a student of Class 7th from Arya Samaj School said, “We had no clue before coming here that what kind of movies will be screened for us but I enjoyed myself thoroughly watching Krish Tish and Baltiboy-1”.
Looking at the joyful reactions of the children, we hope to see some more splendid children movies next year !!!