'Animated films lack funding in India'

HYDERABAD: Belgian actor Joris Van Dael expressed dismay at the fact that in spite of its talent pool, India produces only five per cent of animation films globally .
Dael is a jury member for animation films category in the ongoing 19th International Children's Film Festival (ICFFI) being held in the city by the Children's Film Society of India and the Telangana government.
Ashok Kaul, the chairman of the animation jury, said that though Indian had talent and potential, it lacked funding and technology unlike western filmmakers. He said 12 animated feature films had entered the competitive section in the film festival, besides several short films of 3-10 minute duration.
Film director Harry Baweja said the talent pool in India had the potential to generate resources for 80 per cent of the overall work in any assignment.“Only 20 per cent of the film in the finishing stage is completed abroad,“ he said.
Filmmaker Nagabala Suresh Kumar pointed out that Hyderabad had emerged as a centre of excellence in animation, gaming and IT in not only India, but the entire world.
The five child jury in the animation category include R Mohit, Arhad Singh Gill, Isabd Roney, Josephine and Arya Mehta who all expressed their delight at being able to watch films made by children of their age group.