In the world of producing books and organising children’s film festivals for 10 years now, Monica Wahi was a former creative producer for the CFSI but this time she comes as the curator for the 18th International Children’s Film Festival. Monica Wahi had four months to watch 900 films and select 350 of them to present to the final selection committee at the children’s film festival. It’s obviously not an easy task, especially since she holds all the films close to her heart. “Our first priority was to ensure that the subject would make children feel empowered. Secondly, all regions had to be represented since it’s an international film festival,” she says.
“Children’s films need to break stereotypes and create a market for themselves in India. So many movies go unnoticed because of mainstream commercial cinema. We have selected movies that entertain as well as educate children, by broadening their perspectives and letting them know about so many things happening around the world,” Monica shares.
This year, the festival also introduced an animation section. “Animation in India has always had the same cute stories told in a repetitive way. By bringing in international animated films, we are showing that animation is a wide arena that promises growth,” she points out.
What about the controversial reports suggesting that some of the films screened at the festival contain nudity and cuss words, leading to many people questioning the selection process? “I’ve been associated with children films for a decade now, and I was part of the preselection process. The final selection included those who have worked with kids and even decided the content for children’s books, so they would definitely not have passed anything if it was improper,” she argues. About the film 'Horizon Beautiful', which has two cuss words in it, Monica adds, “The script was actually written by the kids from Ethiopia, on whom the movie is based.”
