i'll always support kids films
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dita Das: I'll always support kids' films - Rediff.com
3/3/2012 9:45//www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-nandita-das/20120103.htm?print=true
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Nandita Das: I'll always support kids' filmsast updated on: January 3, 2012 12:20 IST
Actor, activist, filmmaker Nandita Das is currently the chairperson of the Children's Film Soof India (CFSI).
The CFSI, in collaboration with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, conducted the 17th editio
the International Children's Film Festival of India at Hyderabad in November.
In an interview with Radhika Rajamani, the actress talks about the festival, her role as the
chairperson of the organisation and the changes she has initiated with it.Are you happy with the response and co-operation that Children's Film Festival has gotI'm very happy with the response. The feedback from both adults and children has been
overwhelming. When I asked the kids which film they liked, they said they liked all the films. M
of them would have never come out of their villages or little towns.
You have a child from Dadra Nagar Haveli meeting a child from Srinagar or Baramulla and yo
have an Andaman Nicobar kid meeting an Arunachal Pradesh kid or one from Kerala. I think
that's the lovely part of the whole thing. They are seeing films from around the world, getting
introduced to other ways of living and cultures.
There is contact through the workshops and open forums which have gone on well. All these
different activities which make a more holistic festival have been good.
I'm trying to involve more people from various fields'ast updated on: January 3, 2012 12:20 IST
The festival has been held nine times in Hyderabad. Do you feel it's time for somechanges in the festival format?I personally wanted it to be a travelling festival. I am not against Andhra Pradesh; Hyderabad
been a great venue and it's easier for us in Hyderabad as there is a certain amount of energy
money that people have put in. It's more difficult to do it elsewhere, but the country is large an
varied and many parts are neglected.
Every two years if the festival goes to a different state, they will be able to do it. Wherever the
are fewer infrastructures, it will motivate them to increase it. At some level I was interested in
Also, in our country even if 500 kids come, it's a very small number.
So we can come to Hyderabad, but we must work out a smaller package and take it all aroun
the country.
Then there are lots of copyright issues. Many films are new and they don't want to give DVDs
they don't want to show it elsewhere other than the festival. There is a lot of demand for films
which people have watched. Maybe we could ask for the rights of the older films and sell the
DVDs and it could become a little section. There was a new location (the crafts village of
Shilparamam) too.
Economics interferes with arts'ast updated on: January 3, 2012 12:20 IST
Europe, particularly the Scandinavian countries, make good children's films. China amakes good films now. Why does India lag behind?Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and China make gorgeous films. We have such a huge
young population. There's a market, and there's a demand. But there's one TV in a home and
whatever the father or mother watches, the child watches that. I think this family film-watching
and general entertainment almost pushes out children's films. That's one reason.
Secondly, economics interferes with art. That's why we had this section in the festival focusing
China, and a package of Chinese films--to learn from them, to see how their government is s
involved, even if they control it yet they bring in the best masters to be part of it.
The chairman of their Children's Film Federation is one of the best directors of children's filmsQuan Kian. They take so much interest. They came all the way to India with a 17-member
delegation. Many of them paid their own way. You need filmmakers who have the will to do th
kinds of films.
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dita Das: I'll always support kids' films - Rediff.com
3/3/2012 9:45//www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-nandita-das/20120103.htm?print=true
I'll be quite happy to finish my term in August'ast updated on: January 3, 2012 12:20 IST
What initiatives have you taken for CFSI?
Primarily to put certain systems in place. We procure basic quality films, good scripts and see
how twe can attract good directors to work with us.
We used to have only 35 mm films. Now with the whole world going digital, we can't ignore th
children's films.
Also I want to create to larger group of people who can become friends of CFSI. These peop
may not be employees of CFSI but you can draw upon your expertise and time as and when
required.
I'm trying to involve more people from various fields like filmmakers, writers, educators, anim
because CFSI has this reputation of being a boring government organisation where nothing r
happens.
In the Executive Council we have Gulzar Saab Vishal Bharadwaj, Pooja Shetty, Mohan Agash
that it can be a vibrant body. Because the Society is autonomous, a lot of the decisions can b
taken at the EC stage, you don't need to go to the ministry. You need to have an outspoken
executive council that really cares about children's cinema.
I've been at it for two years and will be quite happy to finish my term in August 2012.
Will you accept an extension?
I don't want it. Whatever I could do, there's no end to it. I will always be a supporter of CFSI a
children's films.
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dita Das: I'll always support kids' films - Rediff.com
3/3/2012 9:45//www rediff com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-nandita-das/20120103 htm?print=true