Hyderabad, Nov 1st: Andhra Pradesh Minister for Cinematography Geeta Reddy said the 400-year-old Pearl City was proud to be a permanent host for Children's film festival since 1995. Ms Reddy, who interacted on Oct 31 with the officials concerned about the arrangements to conduct the festival from November 14, coinciding with the Children's day, said free bus arrangements would be made for children who wished to see the films screened at eight theatres, including Prasad IMAX in the limits of Greater Hyderabad. She said children who achieved distinction in various fields and acclaimed honors at state and national level would be felicitated during the festival, which will be attended by personalities from Hindi and Telugu film industry.

Children's Film Society of India (CFSI) chairperson Nandita Das said in all 70 films would be screened during the 16th international Children's film festival in three categories, international, Asian Panorama and children's world. Ms Das said they have decided to screen 25 films under a special package of documentary and fiction during the week-long festival. There would be a separate package of German films to be screened during the festival, she said. ''For the first time, Asian Panorama will have a separate jury and awards on par with the international section.

The Asian Panorama has six Indian films. CFSI has selected 70 films from 160 entries received from various countries, including Iran, China, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, China and Sri Lanka. '' Very few quality films were being made for children in India, compared to countries like Iran and China,'' she opined. The festival will have series of debates, open forums and workshops on issues related to children's movies. There will also be debates on how children were being used for television programs, including reality shows.