Actors Charanpreet and Harjaspreet, and Singer Zania Bhosle Grace the Occasion
Lucknow: The grand inauguration of the world’s largest International Children’s Film Festival (ICFF-2026), organized by City Montessori School, was held this morning at the CMS Kanpur Road Auditorium. The festival was inaugurated by the Chief Guests, Mr. A.K. Sharma, Cabinet Minister for Energy, UP, and Renowned folk singer Padma Shri Malini Awasthi, by lighting the ceremonial lamp. On this occasion, actors Mr. Charanpreet and Mr. Harjaspreet, and singer Ms. Zania Bhosle, enhanced the dignity of the function with their presence. The festival is being held from April 6 to 12 at CMS Kanpur Road Auditorium, aiming at character building and holistic development of the younger generation.
While inaugurating the festival, Chief Guest Mr. A.K. Sharma, Cabinet Minister, UP, encouraged students and said that no matter how high one rises in life, one should always respect parents and teachers. If a teacher dreams about your future, it will certainly come true. He urged parents to allow children to cherish the beautiful memories of childhood and not to hinder their natural talents or force them to grow up too early.
Malini Awasthi, in her address, said that good films help children become good human beings. The educational films from various countries being screened at the festival will teach moral values. She also urged the younger generation to preserve their culture and traditions.
CMS Manager Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon warmly welcomed all distinguished guests and said that a powerful medium like films should be used to develop life values and moral qualities in the younger generation. CMS Founder-Director Dr. Bharti Gandhi expressed heartfelt gratitude and encouraged adolescents and youth to watch meaningful educational films.
During a press conference held on the occasion, actor Mr. Charanpreet said that this initiative by CMS for the moral and character development of children is remarkable. Actor Mr. Harjaspreet termed the festival historic, highlighting that specially made children’s films are being screened free of cost. Singer Ms. Zania Bhosle expressed happiness at the enthusiasm of children, calling it an effective way to impart life values.
After the inauguration ceremony, the festival commenced with the Mexican children’s film “Azulesepia”, directed by Luis Villarreal. The film addressed issues of racial and caste discrimination among children, which can create feelings of inferiority, fear, and insecurity. On the first day, several educational films such as My School, Fabulous Delivery, Grandmother’s Forest, Creatures, For a Moment, School Chale Hum, Artificial Intelligence Strives to Win, Friend, Street to Stars, The Dream of Photography, The Last Memory, Sabak, Jigar Ni Jeet, Beyond Yesterday, and India Shining were screened. Films were shown in the main auditorium as well as in seven mini auditoriums. Foreign films were also presented with Hindi and English dubbing.
Around 5,000 students, teachers, and parents from Lucknow and nearby areas attended the event, filling the atmosphere with enthusiasm and joy. Along with children, teachers and parents also showed great excitement towards the films and highly appreciated CMS’s initiative for the holistic development of children.
Rishi Khanna, Head, Communications, CMS, informed that the seven-day International Children’s Film Festival is completely free for all. The first show starts at 9:00 a.m., and the second show at 12:00 noon.
