Lucknow: The festival logo and poster of the 15th International Children’s Film Festival (ICFF-2026), touted as the world’s largest children’s film festival, were unveiled at the CMS Kanpur Road Auditorium amid much enthusiasm. Organised under the aegis of City Montessori School, the seven-day festival will be held from April 6 to 12, offering free screenings of educational films for children and families.
The unveiling ceremony was inaugurated by Chief Guest Gerald John Mathias, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lucknow, along with eminent actor and theatre personality Anil Rastogi. The dignitaries lit the ceremonial lamp and formally launched the festival logo and poster, marking the beginning of the much-awaited international event.
Addressing the gathering, Bishop Mathias described the festival as a unique opportunity for children and parents to experience meaningful cinema from across the globe. He подчеркнул that such initiatives not only entertain but also foster cultural awareness and understanding among young minds. Actor Anil Rastogi praised CMS for its commitment to value-based education, stating that the festival reflects a noble mission to instill life values in children through the medium of cinema.
During a press conference held on the occasion, CMS Manager Geeta Gandhi Kingdon provided detailed insights into the festival. She emphasized that ICFF is not merely an entertainment platform but an extension of education aimed at imparting moral and ethical values. She invited citizens of Lucknow to encourage children to attend the festival and benefit from its educational offerings.
The festival will showcase 329 educational films from 53 countries, making it a truly global cinematic experience. Screenings will be held daily in two slots—from 9:00 am to 11:30 am and from 12:00 noon to 2:30 pm—across the main auditorium and eight mini theatres at the venue.
Festival Director Ahmed Hameed Shaikh informed that the best films in various categories will be awarded cash prizes worth Rs. 7 lakh. The international jury panel includes Lalith Rathnayake (Sri Lanka), Urja Acharya (Nepal), and Indian members V. Packirisamy, Y. Srinivas, Vishal Vijayrao Shinde, and Neha Mohajer. A special children’s jury comprising Divyansh Jha, Akshita Pandey, and Chitranshi Dubey will also participate in the selection process.
Adding to the festival’s appeal, several prominent personalities from the film industry are expected to attend, including actors Rajesh Khattar, Lalit Parimoo, Aniruddh Dave, Salim Arif, Sanjay Swaraj, and Rohit Bhatt, along with actresses Aarushi Nishank, Juhi Parmar, Lubna Salim, and Renita Kapoor. Film director Sushen Bhatnagar and singer Zania Bhosle will also grace the occasion.
With over 70,000 students from more than 200 schools in Lucknow and nearby areas already registered, ICFF-2026 promises to be a grand celebration of educational cinema, inspiring young audiences and promoting global cultural exchange.
