09 Dec 2023  |   05:07am IST

Films for children and the young at heart

Goan children are in for a visual treat as the state will be hosting the first ever Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival (BCIFF). Conceptualised by Antarang Productions, Goa led by Siddesh Naik and Bipin Khedekar, the festival will showcase international, national and Goan films for school children and adults too

Dolcy D’Cruz

The love for good quality of cinema will soon reach the hearts of children in Goa. Watching a movie is surely a milestone for every individual and one talks fondly about the first film that they enjoyed. School children from Goa will have the unique opportunity to watch films that too in the company of their classmates.

Goa’s first film festival focusing on children, Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival (BCIFF), will be held from January 9 to 13 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. The children will be exposed to new technology and the visual wonders in the form of VFX, 2D and 3D animations on film. The five-day festival will have much besides screenings. Named after Goa’s state bird, the Bulbul, the festival is dedicated to showcasing the finest in children’s cinema from around the world.

Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival (BCIFF) is open to children and adults too. The festival is set to showcase a diverse selection of 55 films, including 12 competition films, 18 feature-length special screenings, and 25 short films encompassing both competition and non-competition categories.

The idea for the festival was conceptualised by Antarang Productions, headed by two festival directors, Bipin Khedekar and Siddhesh Naik. A Margao-based film production house, Antarang Productions has produced award winning films, TVCs for over a decade. Their idea was further supported by the Department of Information & Publicity, Goa Government to inspire and motivate Goan children.

Explaining that the planning for the festival began six months back, Siddesh says, “The film section of the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival (BCIFF) is in expert hands, curated by the highly experienced former Creative Head of the Children’s Film Society of India (CFSI), Monica Wahi. Additionally, Monica holds the distinction of being a co-founder for the South Asian Children’s Cinema Forum. As part of the Antarang Productions team for BCIFF 24, Monica Wahi brings a wealth of expertise to the festival, ensuring a thoughtfully curated and enriching cinematic experience for participants and viewers alike. Adding to the prestige of BCIFF, a distinguished international jury and selection committee have been assembled to ensure the highest standards in film evaluation.”

The international films for the festival are entries from France, Russia, Indonesia, Serbia, Korea, Germany, Australia, Iran, Norway, Netherlands, Colombia, Hungary, USA and Belgium. The lineup promises a captivating mix of unique storyline spanning genres such as patriotism, motivation, science fiction, creative animation, and more.

Speaking about the criteria for selecting the films, Bipin says, “The selection process for films at the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival involves assessing several criteria. Firstly, films must be suitable for the target audience in terms of age-appropriate content. Emphasis is placed on cultural diversity, ensuring a broad representation of perspectives and experiences. Artistic merit, storytelling quality, and production values are also considered.”

To reach out to the student community, the team of Antarang Productions have visited and held presentations for the students which ensured 8000 registrations till date. “We have received an overwhelming response from school visits and presentations as part of the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival. Having conducted engaging sessions at 26 schools in South Goa, the enthusiasm and curiosity displayed by both students and teachers have been truly heartening. The interactive presentations have resonated well, and we are delighted to announce that over 8000 students have already confirmed their attendance for the upcoming festival. Our aim is to make the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival accessible to every student, and by providing transportation solutions, hence we are also in the process of arranging the buses for those schools that don’t have their own bus facility,” says Siddesh.

Entry to the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival is absolutely free for everyone. However, for attendees above 18 years old who wish to watch films, there’s a nominal one-time registration fee of Rs 200 to enjoy all five days of the festival. Since this is a film festival for entire Goa that provides a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to come together, celebrate cinema, and enjoy a diverse range of films, the festival is open to all regardless of whether the registration is done by the school. With three screens at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, children can simply walk in on first come first serve basis and enjoy films. The films are also free for school teachers and principals. There are no ticket bookings and it is all available on first come first serve basis.

Attendees can delve into the world of film-making through 3D installations that showcase insights into the behind-the-scenes magic of film shoots. The festival goes beyond cinema, featuring a digital mobile planetarium and an astronomical telescope by ‘Taare Zameen Par’, allowing attendees to explore the wonders of the universe. For those looking for hands-on experiences, there’s a game zone, creative minds can indulge in workshops on drone making, green screen techniques, mandala art, quilling, and even coconut leaves craft. The festival is not just about watching films; it’s an opportunity to dive into the realms of creativity and innovation.

Film enthusiasts can participate in the film-making contest, while the ‘Master and Miss Bulbul’ Fashion Show competition for children adds an extra layer of excitement. Dance enthusiasts can showcase their Bollywood moves in a competition designed for students. Adding an eco-friendly touch, the festival engages in the ‘Green Margao Initiative,’ emphasizing environmental consciousness.

“The festival aims to explore various themes to engage and entertain young audiences. These themes span a range of subjects, from the universal themes of friendship and adventure to those promoting environmental awareness and social values. The diverse selection of films contributes to a rich and educational viewing experience for children,” says Bipin.

To conclude, Siddesh speaks about the Goan films at the festival, “Currently, we have some entries. We are also promoting and encouraging filmmakers from Goa to send the films based on children. Due to the first edition of the festival, the eligibility for competitive section is of two years i.e. films made after the year 2021.”