Activities

International Children’s Film Festival
Sri.M.Vedakumar, Chairman, Children’s Film Society, Telangana was appointed as “Jury Member in International Shorts & Animation Films Jury Section” in just concluded 20th International Children’s Film Festival-207 held at Hyderabad from 8th – 14th Nov, 2017. This is the 3rd Consecutive year, he had been nominated as a member in various Juries of the International Children’s Film Festivals held at Hyderabad. The International Children’s Film Festival is a biannual event. The 20th ICFF-2017 was a grand event and witnessed a large number of children audience along with film personalities and other likeminded personalities from all around the world.
Inauguration of Film Screenings as part of Musi River International Film Festival, 2017 was conducted at Ravindra Bharathi,  on 19.1.17 at 11 a.m. by Sri.Mamidi Hari Krishna, Director, Department of Language and Culture, Government of Telangana.  Sri.M.Vedakumar, Chairman, Children’s Film Society, Telangana and Ms.Anita Medasani, Regional Manager, CMS Hyderabad briefed about the Musi River International Film Festival,2017 to the participants.  Sri.M.Vedakumar explained about the historical importance of the Musi River.   Eminent persons,  like minded people and students of different schools have  attended and watched the films screenings. They appreciated the organisers for providing such opportunity to see the films from National and International based with the theme of “Water for Life”.
A Musi River Front Walk was conducted as part of Musi River International Film Festival, 2017 on the 20th January, 2017 in the morning, staring at the City College, Next to State High Court and ending at the Salarjung Museum (8:00 AM -11:00 AM).  Eminent persons, historians, Civil Society groups and NGOS along with the school children and organisers of the Festival were took part in the walk.  During the walk discussions and question hour were also conducted. The participants were explained and guided by Sri.M.Vedakumar, Chairman Children’s Film Society, Telangana about the historic significance of Musi River and the need for the  protection,  conservation and beautification of  the River during the walk.

A Cultural & Literary meet “SHAAM-e-MUSI” was organised by CMS Vatavaran in association with DECCAN ACADEMY, Children’s Film Society, Telangana and Forum For a Better Hyderabad on 21st   Jan, 2017 (Saturday) at 6 p.m.  at Tamarind Tree, in the premises of Osmania Hospital, Afzal GunjiIn connection with Musi River International Film Festival, 2017, Hyderabad.  The Chief Guest was Sri.B.V.Papa Rao, IAS., Advisor to the Government of Telangana.The other participants were Sri.M.Vedakumar, Chairman, DECCAN ACADEMY, Sri.Srinivasa Reddy, Zonal Commissioner (South Zone), GHMC, Sri.N.Bhaskar Rao, Chairman, CMS Vatavaran, Sri.Sajjad Shahid, Secretary, Centre for Deccan Studies Sri.S.Anand Raj Varma, Historian, Ms.Anita Medasani, Regional Manager, CMS Hyderabad.  Speaking on the occasion Sri.B.V.Papa Rao said “The historic saviour  tree  will be given most importance and   the entire surrounding area of the tree will be protected and conserved further, accordingly a request will be made to the Commissioner, GHMC”.  He further said that the there is  special agenda in Telangana Government for the protection and conservation of surroundings of Musi River.  Sri.M.Vedakumar  in his speech said that in future also similar type of programmes based heritage and cultural will be conducted in and around  Musi River on behalf of Deccan Academy and Forum For A Better Hyderabad to create awareness among Hyderabadies on the historic importance of Hyderabad and its culture. On this occasion, Laavni on Musi Floods, Phaag, Poems on the Musi River, Songs  on Hyderabad and Gazals were sung by Sri.Narender Rai, Sri.Suresh Babu and Kishore Kumar group and  short films  based on environment, nature, rivers were  screened at the venue.Participants were guided and explained about the historical importance of city of Hyderabad and the history of 1908 Musi Floods, and how the  Tamarind Tree had saved the lives of 100 people.  The programme has to came an end with a vote of thanks by Smt.Shobha Singh, General Secretary, CFS, Telangana.

Musi River International Film Festival, 2017, Hyderabad  organised by CMS Vatavaran and Children’s Film Society, Telangana in association with  DECCAN ACADEMY,Forum For A Better Hyderabad,TSPCB, GHMC and JNTU  held from 18th – 25th Jan, 2017 at Hyderabad was concluded at TSPCB Auditorium on 25.1.17 at 2 p.m.  by Sri. P.Satyanarayana Reddy, IAS., Member Secretary, TSPCB.On  this occasion, a Citation was  presented to   Sri.Subhash Reddy, as a Green Ambassador, who is committed  towards the cause of water resource conservation by Sri.M.Vedakumar, Chairman, Children’s Film Society and Ms.Anita Medasani, Regional Manager, CMS Vatavaran  A TALK on River Musi- Issues & Challenges for Environment Reporting also conducted during the film screening on the Closing Ceremony Day.

19th International Children’s Film Festival 14th-20th November,2015 at Hyderabad, Telangana
The 19th edition of ICFFI took place from 14th to 20th November 2015 once again in the historic city of Hyderabad. The festival had four Competition Sections: Competition International Live Action, Competition Asian Panorama, Competition International Animation and Competition Little Directors where international and national films compete for the prestigious Golden Elephant Trophies, accompanied by cash awards. A good number of children’s films from all over the world have competed at the above festival. Child and adult delegates from India and abroad had witnessed children’s films made during these two years and debated about the films during the festival. Large number of children including rural Telangana had an opportunity to watch world children’s cinema, which is selected particularly for the 19th International Children’s Film Festival, 2015, Hyderabad, India. Sri.M.Vedakumar, Chairman, CFS, Telangana was invited as a Jury member, ASIAN PANORAMA at the 19th International Children’s Film Festival held from 14th-20th November,2015 at Hyderabad.
18th International Children’s Film Festival 14th-20th November,2015 at Hyderabad, Telangana
The 18th edition of ICFFI took place from 14th to 20th November 2013 once again in the historic city of Hyderabad, screening 209 films from 48 countries. The festival had four Competition Sections: Competition International Live Action, Competition International Animation, Competition International Shorts, Competition Little Directors where international and national films compete for the prestigious Golden Elephant Trophies, accompanied by cash awards.
Sri.M.Vedakumar, Chairman, Children’s Film Society was invited as a Jury member at the 18th International Children’s Film Festival held from 14th-20th November,2013 at Hyderabad.
Sri.M.Vedakumar, Chairman, Children’s Film Society with other Jury members of 18th International Children’s Film Festival held from 14th-20th November,2013 at Hyderabad.
OPEN FORUM-17.11.15
Is Digitalization redefining the story telling formats and consumption for kids (17th Nov,2015) Panelists: • Mr. Ram Krishna Veerapanenic • Mr. Ved Kumar • Mr. Ramesh Tekwani • Mr. Shirenik Rao • IB School Principal • Deepak Jain (Jury member)
Sri.M.Vedakumar, Chairman, CFS, Telangana as a Jury member, ASIAN PANORAMA at the 19th International Children’s Film Festival held from 14th-20th November,2015 at Hyderabad,Telangana attended discussions session on 19.11.15 after screening at the festival venues
Sri.M.Vedakumar, Chairman, CFS, Telangana as a Jury member, ASIAN PANORAMA at the 19th International Children’s Film Festival held from 14th-20th November,2015 at Hyderabad,Telangana attended discussions session on 18.11.15 after screening at the festival venues:
18th International Children’s Film Festival 14th-20th November,2015 at Hyderabad, Telangana
Children’s Film Society, Telangana organizes Open Forum and workshops on Script Writing, Film Making, Animation, Film appreciation Programme, Puppetry etc.,  to strengthen the children’s film movement at all National and International Children’s Film Festivals since 1993.The details of workshops are: SCRIPT WRITING WORKSHOPFILM APPRECIATION PROGRAMMEANIMATION WORKSHOPFILM MAKING WORKSHOPPUPPETRY WORKSHOPOPEN FORUM
SCRIPT WRITING WORKSHOP (They wrote for their own films): This workshop aimed at giving a practical know how and practice of writing scripts for children films to the school students of twin cities. The participants are guided by the eminent children’s-writer & film critics. The students are provided orientation by the resource persons on the basics of creative writing for children, its components, and the nuances of writing stories for different age groups. They are told about the importance of imparting values through their writing and evaluating the strengths and the weaknesses of a script.Each participating student are able to write an original central idea for a story. Students are  able to write outlines of their stories, which are discussed in detail.Subsequent to this exercise in analyzing and evaluating, the students are divided into groups. Each group has to select the best storyline, if necessary by mixing more than one storyline and write a script for children’s film. Thus scripts written one each in Telugu, English and Hindi. These scripts, are divided into scenes and shots and embellished with dialogues and instructions for audio-visual and other effects, are ready for making into films.

FILM APPRECIATION PROGRAMME : To read is different from read between the lines. The former requires presence of mind, where as the latter warrants application of mind. To view a film does not need specialized skills but to judge a film wants exceptional creative skills. Keeping in the view CFSAP started Film Appreciation Programme. Film Appreciation Programme is neither art and craft but the blend of the two. Screening films is nothing but spreading “Visual literacy”, it should not deviate from basic social responsibility. Film Appreciation Programme provides ethical plant to such responsibility. Since film viewing commences from infancy, it is always proper to start learning film appreciation from childhood. It was emphasised that though story, acting, direction, music and choreography are important to a cinema elements like lighting, background sounds, nature of shots and camera-work and editing can also either make or mark the quality of a film. The children are discussed these elements with appropriate examples and observations. At the end of the screening the participants are more observant and they are begun to look at the cinema meaningfully.
ANIMATION WORKSHOP : The effort of CFS-AP in conducting this workshop becomes meaningful because of the fact that Hyderabad has been identified to become the hub of animation industry in the country creating employment opportunities to several thousands of animators. By creating awareness for this medium at a young age by teaching animation in drawing classes of all school the children would be motivated and inspired to opt for this career in the future.” In the workshop, the participants see how various animations such as with gel; puppets, sand, clay and fly ash were made. In a short while the students begin to use these techniques with ease and joy.
FILM MAKING WORKSHOP ( Learning to make Films ): The workshop focuses to develop skills in young students to be able to articulate their imagination in a sequential and meaningful way. The technique of film making is one such medium through which the wild imaginations are tamed down to realises. The nuances of the capturing events and placing them in order to make a sensible sequence with the help of actors enacting the same are the essence of the workshop. The students are taught the art of dubbing and editing which is the focal point of film making.
PUPPETRY WORKSHOP ( Learning an enchanting way of telling stories): The Puppetry Workshop is meant for learning an enchanting way of telling stories. The participants are guided by the eminent Resource Persons where they are trained in making puppets and for developing the way of telling stories. The students are coached on the technical processes of making puppets. They are given hands on experience thereby registering on the skills effectively. The students are engrossed in the process.
OPEN FORUM : A place, where interaction between child viewers, film makers, directors, technicians, film critics and people from different walls of life is held on various aspects of films. The interaction held on selected topic connected to children’s films. This enable the film makers to understand what the viewers are expecting in the process. The discussion will lead to clarification and ratification.