The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

"Funding is the biggest, and really the only obstacle we faced. It's a shame that corporate giants take little interest in such ventures. Don't they realise what they are saying is that they are not interested in the future nation-builders? The typical life of an urban child in our country involves school, where he or she is terrified of the teachers. Then tuition with the same teachers and the day is rounded off by watching Hindi serials with parents. Leaving aside the lack of safe places to play, there is truly nothing on TV or at the movie theatres in our country that offers quality entertainment for children. Film is an excellent source of recreation, but the number of children's films made in our country are very few," said eminent educationist Dr Jafar Iqbal at the inauguration of the 1st International Children's Film Festival Bangladesh in the capital.

The festival was concluded on February 3. It was inaugurated on January 28 at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium of the Central Public Library in the city. Young film enthusiasts are in for a treat, as the festival includes 135 films, including feature, short, animation and documentary from 37 countries, as well as a selection of Bangladeshi children's films. The event was organised by the Children's Film Society Bangladesh.

The inaugural ceremony opened with a performance of the Tagore song, 'Alo Amar Alo' by the young students of Chhayanaut. This was followed with the National Anthem, in which they were joined by everyone present.

The Bangladeshi flag, the festival flag and the flag of Children's Film Society were hoisted by the chief guest, Rasheda K Chowdhury, Adviser to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Women, Children and Cultural Affairs.

Eminent artist Mustafa Monwar, Chairperson of the Festival Committee and Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Vice-chairperson of the committee, Among others, Professor Anisuzzaman also attended the event. After the opening speeches and other formalities, the Estonian film 'Ruudi,' directed by Katrin Laur, was screened.

Steady streams of tickets were sold at Tk 30 for adults and Tk 10 for children. There were also a variety of souvenirs - bags, T-shirts, posters, pens, stickers and more.

Dr Jafar Iqbal said, "I long for the day when a local film or a programme on television can claim to be a real treat for children. And until that day arrives, we will continue our demands to be heard."

Artist Mustafa Monwar quoted Tagore - "When a child is born, God sends hope to the world.' But then something goes wrong along the way. Children are the ambassadors of truth and purity. We must protect and nurture the torch-bearers of this world."

"In a country like ours where it is a privilege to be able to go to school, there are children whose first duty of the day is to clean someone's toilet. Sometimes it's difficult to hope, but that is precisely what one must do, for nothing can ever be accomplished without it," said Rasheda K Chowdhury.

Children were certainly the focal point of the day. The lively and talented singers of Chhayanaut, the articulate announcers and the 100 delegates and guests cheered up the ambience of the Public Library with the colour and resilience of youth. Children from all over the country were asked to write an essay on "My Favourite Movie", from which 100 children were selected to participate at the festival. Two children from Khagrachhari and 20 disabled children had also been invited.

Filmmaker Morshedul Islam, also festival director, said, "After the festival our child delegates will have the opportunity to spend three days with three notable personalities and then a day at a workshop on filmmaking."

As part of the festival a daylong seminar on children's films was held on February 2. The issues on problems and prospects of children's filmmaking in Bangladesh, influence of film and media on children, necessity of children's programmes on television channels and the importance of government support in children's filmmaking were discussed.

When asked if the festival will be held every year, Dr Jafar Iqbal replied, "We certainly hope so. But these are baby steps, so maybe every two years for now."

The festival venues were Shawkat Osman Auditorium and Seminar Hall at the Central Public Library, German Cultural Centre, Iranian Cultural Centre and the Russian Centre for Science and Culture.

Sheikh Sazid, festival coordinator, said, "The event is focused on our children as sources of recreation for them are limited in our country. The event would be a great opportunity for them to know more about the cultures and lifestyles of Bangladesh and other counties."