Film-makers stress on quality

HYDERABAD: It was introspection time for film-makers at the conclusion of the 13th International Children’s Film Festival (ICFF) on Thursday.
While they were all praise for the way the festival was organised, some of them felt the quality of films screened at the festival could have been much better.
According to Iranian film-maker Vahid Nikkhah Azad, not all films screened at the ICFF were meant for children. “Children’s films should be entertaining, but at the same time not commercially oriented,� he said. “Film-makers from around the world should learn to blend commercial and art cinema and make films that children the world over can understand and identify with,� he added.
Indian film-maker B Narsing Rao, who was also a member of the international competition jury, said the organisers should take more care while selecting films for the festival. They should attend children’s film festivals held around the world and select the best for screening at the ICCF, he said.
Another Indian film-maker, Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, whose animation film Son of Alladin was a huge hit with the children, said the purpose of making children’s films is lost unless these films are released in theatres. These films should should blend with mainstream commercial cinema and be seen in theatres; only then will the goal of organising such festivals will be achieved, he added.
Sri Lankan film-maker and Asian Panorama jury member Somaratne Dissanayake was of the opinion that children’s films should do away with cheap entertainment
in the form of dances and songs.
“The quantity of films shown at such festivals doesn’t matter as long as the films stick to certain international standards,� he added.