The 3rd International Children's Film Festival began on January 23. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the festival at the Osmani Memorial Hall. Over 240 children's films from 50 countries are being screened at this year's festival. Of these, 61 are Bangladeshi films. Child filmmakers have made 34 films. Children's Film Society Bangladesh, in association with Unicef, is the organiser of the festival.

Everyday films are screened at four sessions starting from 11 am. Films are being screened at several venues including Central Public Library and National Museum. The Central Public Library is the main venue of the festival.

Apart from film screening, a workshop and a daylong seminar as well as few interactive sessions with eminent personalities are part of the festival.

Eminent educationist Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed talked to the children on the second day, as part of the interactive session. Apart from Professor Sayeed, the interactive sessions also feature Professor Mehtab Khanam and Muhammad Zafar Iqbal.

The daylong seminar will be held tomorrow (January 27) at the Seminar Hall of Central Public Library. Divided into four sessions, the seminar will highlight different issues regarding cinema for children in Bangladesh. Dr. Aminul Islam, Shabnam Azim, Fahmidul Huq and Abdullah Al Mamun will deliver the keynote papers.

The daylong workshop was held yesterday. The workshop addressed basic concept of film language, techniques of filmmaking, film and reality and a question-answer session. Noted filmmakers Tanvir Mokammel, Tareq Masud, Yasmin Kabir and Morshedul Islam gave lectures at the workshop.

A highlight of the festival is a retrospective on Indian filmmaker Tapan Sinha. Raja Sen, Indian filmmaker, will deliver a special lecture on Tapan Sinha today at 6pm at the Seminar Hall, Public Library. A documentary, "Filmmaker for Freedom", on Sinha will be screened as part of the special programme.

Over 100 child delegates from all over the country are participating at the festival. The festival sees a competition as well where five awards would be conferred. A five-member jury, with children as members, will choose the best films. The awards will be given on the last day of the festival.

The festival will end on January 29. Apart from Central Public Library and National Museum, films are being screened at Shishu Academy, Russian Centre of Science and Culture, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Iranian Cultural Centre, German Cultural Centre, British Council Auditorium, UCEP Auditorium in Mirpur, Pallima Sangsad Auditorium in Malibagh, Bangladesh College of Leather Technology Auditorium in Hazaribagh and Star Cineplex.

                                                                                                              source:   daily star