The Indian Panorama

Tag: Murtaza Ali

  • Indian Filmmaker Jitendra Mishra Elected President of CIFEJ

    Indian Filmmaker Jitendra Mishra Elected President of CIFEJ

    By Murtaza Ali

    The noted Indian filmmaker Jitendra Mishra has been elected President of the International Centre of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) for the 2025–2027 term. The election, held earlier this week, saw Mishra win unopposed with unanimous support from more than 50 active members across 40 countries.
    CIFEJ, founded in 1955 under the auspices of UNESCO, is a global network dedicated to promoting quality, culturally relevant, and educational audio-visual content for children and youth. The organization is currently headquartered in Athens, Greece, and is hosted by the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre – Creative Greece S.A., under Creative Hub GR.
    Mishra, who has previously served on the CIFEJ board, is also the Festival Director of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY), an initiative of Smile Foundation. SIFFCY aims to use meaningful cinema as a tool to educate and inspire young audiences, with a focus on social impact and cultural engagement.
    Reacting to the appointment, Mishra expressed gratitude to his colleagues and reiterated his commitment to youth-focused cinema. “This unanimous success is not just a personal milestone but a shared recognition of our vision to empower young minds through meaningful films,” he said.
    The newly elected CIFEJ board includes representatives from several countries: Pamela Bisson (Canada), Doros Demetriou (Cyprus), Huang Jun (China), Anis Lassoued (Tunisia), Emma Pendiuc (Romania), Elham Shrivani (Iran), and Mitsuo Tahira (Japan). Vassilis Karamitsanis (Greece) has been appointed Secretary General, and Irene Andriopoulou (Greece) will serve as Executive Director.
    Speaking on the occasion, Santanu Mishra, Chairman of SIFFCY and Co-Founder of Smile Foundation, said, “Cinema can play a significant role in shaping responsible and empathetic global citizens. We support CIFEJ in its efforts to drive positive societal change, beginning with young minds.”
    Vassilis Karamitsanis added that the transition of CIFEJ’s headquarters to Athens marks a new era for the organization. “The newly elected board holds strong credentials to guide CIFEJ in promoting high-quality children’s content globally,” he said.
    Jitendra Mishra is an established name in independent and socially driven cinema, with more than 100 films to his credit. His notable works include I Am Kalam, The Last Color, Buried Seeds, and Barefoot Empress. He has served as a jury member at over 50 international film festivals and is known for promoting innovative models in film production and distribution.
    Mishra’s election is seen as a significant moment for Indian cinema on the international stage, particularly in the domain of youth and children’s content.

  • Italian Focus at the 2025 Habitat International Film Festival

    Italian Focus at the 2025 Habitat International Film Festival

    By Murtaza Ali

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Habitat International Film Festival (HIFF) 2025 enthralled cinephiles with a spectacular showcase of Italian cinema. Held at the India Habitat Centre, the festival’s Italian Focus segment, curated in collaboration with the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, Cineteca di Bologna, and L’Immagine Ritrovata, was a resounding success. It celebrated Italy’s rich cinematic heritage while offering a glimpse into the dynamic contemporary landscape of Italian storytelling.

    Vittorio De Sica’s Miracle in Milan – poster

    The fourth edition of Italian Screens returned to New Delhi, featuring a selection of contemporary films and restored classics. Roberto Stabile, Head of the International Department at Cinecittà, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “This platform not only showcases the best of contemporary Italian cinema but also strengthens Indo-Italian creative collaboration.”

    Festival audiences were treated to a diverse lineup of films, from neorealist masterpieces to modern cinematic gems. Highlights included Vittorio De Sica’s ‘Shoeshine’ and Federico Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita,’ both of which captivated audiences with their timeless storytelling. The centenary tribute to Marcello Mastroianni was a particular highlight, paying homage to the legendary actor who remains a symbol of Italian cinema’s golden age.

    HIFF 2025 was not just about screenings—it fostered dialogue and learning through an array of discussions and workshops. One of the standout sessions was Celine Pozzi’s exclusive workshop on film restoration, where she offered a behind-the-scenes look at preserving cinematic treasures. The collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture brought additional depth, hosting a discourse on the intersection of archaeology and film preservation.

    In a special parallel event, the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture presented Milo Adami’s documentaries at Humayun’s Tomb Museum. A public talk featuring filmmaker Milo Adami, actor Giuseppe Cederna, and cultural experts provided valuable insights into heritage, democracy, and cinema’s role in shaping public consciousness.

    The festival reaffirmed the strong artistic and cultural ties between Italy and India, emphasizing the shared storytelling traditions of both nations. The newly restored ‘Apu Trilogy’ was a standout attraction, underscoring the profound influence of Italian neorealism on Satyajit Ray’s filmmaking.

    Vittorio De Sica’s Shoeshine – Still 1

    Andrea Anastasio, director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, reflected on the festival’s impact: “HIFF 2025 has been an incredible journey in celebrating the artistic and emotional depth of Italian cinema. We are grateful for the unwavering support from Cineteca di Bologna, the Italian Ministry of Culture, and the India Habitat Centre in making this a reality.”

    As HIFF 2025 came to a close, it left an indelible mark on audiences and industry professionals alike. Beyond the grandeur of screenings and discussions, the festival successfully created a space where cultures converged, ideas flourished, and the magic of cinema was reaffirmed.

    Vittorio De Sica’s Shoeshine – poster

    The Italian Focus at HIFF 2025 proved to be a testament to the power of film to unite, inspire, and transcend borders. There is no denying that Italian cinema continues to enchant the audiences worldwide.

    (Murtaza Ali Khan is an award-winning film critic who has served on the jury of the 69th and the 70th National Awards. He has been covering cinema, arts, and culture for the last decade and a half. He can be reached at murtaza.jmi@gmail.com).

  • Readers Comment