The Hindu Business Line : Colourful start to children's film fest

The inaugural was marked by a 15-minute dance number by children, depicting the rich and varied traditional and folk art forms of Andhra Pradesh and the Panchsheel.

About 170 films from 35 countries will be screened in the week-long film festival. This is the sixth consecutive international children's film festival being held in Hyderabad. Popular filmstars Sridevi, Govinda and Tarun added flavour to the occasion.

Addressing the gathering at the open-air auditorium, Mr S. Jaipal Reddy, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Culture, said the Union Government would set up a science museum in Andhra Pradesh. The 50-acre museum, coming up in Hyderabad, will be focussed on igniting creativity in children. The State Government will provide the land.

He said the Government didn't believe in curbing artistic freedom. Referring to the request made by Mr M. Satyanarayana Rao, Minister for Sports, Culture and Cinematography, he said he didn't like to step into the shoes of censors. The State Minister had earlier asked Mr Jaipal Reddy to ensure that obscene and offensive serials were off the television screens.

On the proposed permanent facility for the Children's Film Society in Hyderabad, Mr Reddy said he would raise funds to complete the project. It will be a hub for children's films and also act as a training facility for children.

The Department of Posts released a special stamp commemorating 50 years of the film society.

Meanwhile, the film screening began screenings of the films had begun in the morning at the main venue (Prasad's Multiplex). The Day One was marked by confusion.

Though the screenings had begun at the IMAX theatre, the attendants at the gate didn't know about it. They shooed the viewers away, saying that there were no screenings. It was only after an hour did they noticed the mistake and allowed people in.

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