Film celebrities Dev Joshi, Anahita Bhushan and Tanya Sharma add glamour to the festival
Lucknow : The grand inauguration of the world’s largest International Children’s Film Festival (ICFF-2025), organized by the Films Division of City Montessori School, was held today at CMS Kanpur Road auditorium. The event was inaugurated by lighting the ceremonial lamp by the Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Brajesh Pathak. On this occasion, Pathak also unveiled the official logo and poster of the festival. The festival’s opening ceremony was graced by prominent personalities including actor Dev Joshi, actress Ms. Anahita Bhushan and Miss Universe UP, Tanya Sharma, whose presence added charm and grandeur to the event. The participation of around 3,500 students, teachers, and parents from various schools of Lucknow and nearby areas affirmed the festival’s relevance and impact. The festival is being organized at CMS Kanpur Road auditorium from 7th to 13th April, with the aim of fostering character development and holistic growth among the younger generation.
While inaugurating the festival, Chief Guest Brajesh Pathak remarked that using a powerful medium like film for the moral and character development of children is a unique initiative by CMS. He expressed his delight that children’s films from many countries are being screened, which will instill strong moral values in young viewers. CMS Manager, Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon warmly welcomed all esteemed guests and said that CMS is the first school in the country to organize such a film festival, where meaningful, character-building children’s films are showcased free of cost. Dr. Bharti Gandhi, Founder-Director of CMS and renowned educationist, expressed heartfelt gratitude and encouraged adolescents and youth to watch these enriching films. Actor Dev Joshi, speaking on the occasion, described the festival as historic and mentioned that he has attended the event in the past as well. He praised it as an effective medium for imparting life values. Likewise, actress Anahita Bhushan and Miss Universe UP Tanya Sharma lauded the festival and shared their thoughts.
Following the opening ceremony, the festival began with the screening of “Anahita”, a children’s film from Iran directed by Dawood Najafzadeh, followed by the Indian children’s film “Pariksha” directed by Mr. Suhas. Other educational films screened today included Grow-Up, My Dad is the Cloud, Pehchaan, Bapu Ke Saath, Margdarshak, India Shining, Smart Good Things, Virasat, There is No One Here, Afternoon Snack etc.. Screenings were held not only in the main auditorium of CMS Kanpur Road but also across seven mini auditoriums. Hindi and English translations of foreign films were also provided.
Rishi Khanna, Head, Communications, CMS, informed that the seven-day International Children’s Film Festival is completely free of cost, and children, youth, parents, guardians, and teachers from all schools in Lucknow are invited to attend on a first-come, first-served basis. He added that approximately 400 children’s films from 102 countries are being showcased free of charge. The festival hosts two screenings daily—the first at 9:00 am and the second at 12:00 noon.
