HYDERABAD: The 16th International Children's Film Festival kicked off with eminent personanilites from films and politics gracing the event. The festival was jointly inaugurated by Information & Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni and Andhra Pradesh CM K Rosaiah.

The Andhra CM said that the state government had made a commitment to build a children’s film complex in the state. The Children’s Film Society, India, which organizes the Festival every alternate year, should be moved to Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, Soni pointed out that the Telegu film ‘Amulyam’ had occupied a prominent place in the Festival in 2007. She said the cultural programme and cinema had been responsible for removing barriers and creating synergies with love and affection, and living up to the mandate of Pandit Nehru’s objective in setting up the CFSI, of children becoming global citizens.

Rosaiah reminisced about the cinema of early days which had value-based messages. He hailed Nehru’s vision in setting up the CFSI, describing the first Prime Minister as the architect of modern India.

Andhra Information and PR Minister Dr J Geeta Reddy stated that the Festival, which had been organized by the CFSI in cooperation with the Andhra Pradesh State Film, Television and Theatre Development Corporation and the city of Hyderabad, would be bringing the best entertainment to children beaming films across eleven screens in eight cinema houses.

Eminent lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar, who has now taken to writing books for children, called upon everyone concerned to ensure that the creative films made by CFSI over the years should be released.

CFSI chairperson and actress Nandita Das wished all the children a very happy children’s day and also introduced the international and children juries who would judge the films in the International Competition and the Asian Panorama – the first time when Asian films are being adjudged separately.

The joyous momoment was somewhat spoilt by former Union Minister and eminent filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao who accused the Central Government of being unfair to filmmakers from Andhra Pradesh.

Others present included Vishal Bhardwaj, film stars Venkatesh and Illeana, child actor Darsheel Safary, filmmaker Jahnu Barua, I & B Joint secretary (Films) V B Pyarelal, CFSI Chief Executive Officer Sushovan Banerjee, and jury members Nagesh Kukunoor, Ashish Vidyarthi and Revathy.

The entire programme concluded with the screening of the Austrian film ‘Mozart in China’ by director Bernd Neuburger which has been shot in China.