MUMBAI: Forget red carpets and film festival fanfare - this win’s about kids, culture, and a camera roll full of global vision. Indian filmmaker and flagbearer of meaningful cinema Jitendra Mishra has just snagged the big seat as International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) president, and he didn’t need a vote-off to do it. His unopposed, unanimous election was a rare feat, backed by over 50 members across 40 countries. Yes, that many.
The UNESCO-supported body, which has been promoting culturally relevant children’s cinema since 1955, now has a fresh Indian face at its helm - someone who’s walked the walk with Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY). As SIFFCY festival director and long-time cinema-for-change crusader, Mishra’s latest role is no accident.
It's a perfect reel-to-real story.
"I am deeply honoured and grateful for the trust and support of my fellow members at CIFEJ. This unanimous success is not just a personal achievement but a testament to our shared vision of empowering young minds through meaningful cinema. I am also sincerely thankful to the management of Smile Foundation for their unwavering support and commitment towards this. Together, we will continue to champion films and related activities that inspire, educate, and celebrate cultural diversity for children and youth worldwide," said Mishra.
CIFEJ, born in Brussels and now headquartered in Athens, Greece, isn't just a symbolic outfit. It's a full-throttle platform pushing for top-notch audio-visual content that speaks to, with and for young people. And with Smile Foundation backing and cultural clout on his side, Mishra is expected to turn that volume way up.
Backing the sentiment, SIFFCY chair & producer of I Am Kalam, Santanu Mishra added, "I believe that audio-visual medium, especially good cinema, has the power to stimulate discussion and contemplation in young minds about personal, emotional, societal and moral duties. Thus, it can enable young global citizens to become better, stronger and empathetic individuals. Our support and good wishes are there for CIFEJ to help bring positive societal change that begins with the young minds."
The newly elected board reads like a film festival guest list: Pamela Bisson (Canada), Doros Demetriou (Cyprus), Huang Jun (China), Anis Lassoued (Tunisia), Emma Pendiuc (Romania), Elham Shrivani (Iran), and Mitsuo Tahira (Japan). Greek representatives Vassilis Karamitsanis and Irene Andriopoulou will serve as secretary general and executive director respectively.
"We aspire for the transfer of the CIFEJ headquarters in Athens, through EKOME, to mark the beginning of a new era for the organisation and to strengthen high-quality children’s audio-visual content in Greece as well. The new CIFEJ president and board do hold great credentials to this direction," said Karamitsanis.
So, while Mishra sharpens his vision for youth-driven global storytelling, the message is clear: popcorn isn’t the only thing worth warming up. The future of cinema is in the hands of young minds—and the man leading the charge is ready to roll.
