Renita Kapoor, Salim Arif, and Yagya Bhasin Encouraged Children; 60,000 Students Benefited
Lucknow: The sixth day of the 7-day International Children’s Film Festival (ICFF-2026), organized by City Montessori School (CMS) at the CMS Kanpur Road Auditorium, was held with great enthusiasm, showcasing inspiring films focused on character building and moral values.
Over the past six days, nearly 60,000 students from various schools across Lucknow and nearby regions had participated in the festival and gained valuable life lessons through educational cinema.
The day’s proceedings began with a ceremonial lamp lighting, followed by vibrant educational and cultural presentations by CMS students. Actress Renita Kapoor, actor Salim Arif, and child artist Yagya Bhasin attended the event as special guests, motivating children to engage with meaningful and value-based films.
Welcoming the guests, CMS Manager Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon stated that the festival served as a powerful platform to impart moral education not only to CMS students but also to children from across the city and surrounding areas. She emphasized that children, regardless of their nationality or language, share universal emotions and values, and expressed appreciation for the overwhelming support received from students, teachers, and parents.
On the sixth day, a wide range of films from India and abroad were screened in the main auditorium as well as seven mini auditoriums. Some of the notable films included Light in the Heart, Hold the Dream, Not Another Day, I Can Smell a Rat, Where the Stars Rest, Aastha Ka Aadhar Hamara Parivar, Bade Kaam Ki Cheez, Guldasta, Place Under the Sun, Waiting for Your Return, Under the Open Sky, Virasat, Watermelon Seed, Songs of Spring, A Slice of Watermelon, The Magic of Science, and Share Happiness. The festival was widely appreciated by students, teachers, and parents as a unique initiative offering free, meaningful entertainment.
During a press interaction, Renita Kapoor praised CMS for its innovative approach to nurturing values among children. Salim Arif highlighted the importance of school life in shaping one’s character and future, while Yagya Bhasin also commended the organizers for hosting such an enriching festival.
Festival Director Ahmad Hameed Sheikh informed that the event was nearing a successful conclusion. He added that the festival would conclude on Sunday, April 12, with an award ceremony where outstanding children’s films from different countries would be honoured with cash prizes worth ₹7 lakh across various categories. Selected international educational films were also scheduled to be screened free of cost during the concluding session. Actor Rohit Bhatt and film director Sushen Bhatnagar were expected to attend the closing ceremony to encourage the young audience.
