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SIFFCY 2026 Opens in Delhi, Championing Inclusion Through Children's Cinema

The 12th Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) has commenced in New Delhi, running until February 3rd. The festival focuses on using cinema to promote inclusion, diversity, and social awareness among young audiences. Officials emphasized the constitutional obligation for reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities, linking it to landmark Supreme Court judgments. The event features over 100 films from across Europe and includes partnerships with government departments and international delegations.

Key Points: SIFFCY 2026 Film Festival Promotes Diversity for Youth

  • Festival promotes inclusion and diversity
  • Highlights constitutional duty for reasonable accommodation
  • Features 100+ films from 20 European states
  • Uses cinema to shape compassionate worldviews in youth
2 min read

12th edition of Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth kicks off

The 12th Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth kicks off in Delhi, showcasing over 100 films to foster empathy and inclusion.

"Through SIFFCY, we use cinema as a gentle yet powerful medium to nurture empathy, resilience, and social awareness among children and youth. - Santanu Mishra"

New Delhi, January 29

The 12th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth commenced in the national capital on Wednesday, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, filmmakers, educators and young audiences to celebrate cinema that promotes inclusion, diversity and social awareness.

Addressing the gathering, Manmeet Kaur Nanda, IAS, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), highlighted the lived realities and everyday challenges faced by persons with disabilities in India, according to a press note.

Drawing on landmark jurisprudence, including the Supreme Court's 2021 judgment in Vikash Kumar vs UPSC, she emphasised that reasonable accommodation is a constitutional obligation, requiring positive measures to ensure equal participation, whether in classrooms or cultural spaces.

She cautioned that denial of accommodations, such as extra time for children with dyslexia or admission to children with autism, amounts to practicality but to discrimination.

Echoing this vision, Santanu Mishra, Chairman, SIFFCY, and Co-founder, Smile Foundation, said, "Childhood is a decisive phase where values and perspectives take root. Through SIFFCY, we use cinema as a gentle yet powerful medium to nurture empathy, resilience, and social awareness among children and youth. Stories that celebrate diversity and inclusion can leave lasting impressions and help shape more compassionate worldviews."

Expanding on the festival's global outlook, Jitendra Mishra, Festival Director, SIFFCY, and President, CIFEJ 2025-27, said, "SIFFCY brings together stories from across cultures that reflect the realities and aspirations of young people worldwide. Through carefully curated films and meaningful dialogue, the festival offers young audiences a shared cultural space to explore diversity, creativity, and global perspectives."The 12th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY), an initiative of Smile Foundation, is being held from 28 January to 3 February 2026, celebrating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility through cinema for young audiences. The festival is being organised in partnership with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and the Delegation of the European Union to India.

SIFFCY 2026 opened with the Polish-Czech co-production Grandpa, Let's Go! The festival is bringing more than 100 films from 20 European member states.

A delegation of five filmmakers and festival directors from Poland is also participating in SIFFCY with the support of the Polish Institute in New Delhi.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
The point about reasonable accommodation being a constitutional obligation is crucial. Too often, schools and institutions in smaller towns use "practical difficulties" as an excuse. This festival's partnership with DEPwD is a strong step.
R
Rohit P
Great to see the global collaboration with European films and the Polish delegation. Our kids need to see stories from around the world. Hope they screen some of these films in other cities too, not just Delhi.
S
Sarah B
As an educator, I fully agree that childhood is a decisive phase. The values of inclusion and empathy need to be seeded early. I wish more Indian film festivals had dedicated, curated sections for children and youth like this.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, while the intent is fantastic, I hope the focus remains on creating lasting impact and not just a one-week event. The real challenge is changing mindsets in our classrooms and public spaces year-round. The festival should be a catalyst for that.
K
Kavya N
Inclusion through art is the best way forward! Jai Ho to the Smile Foundation team for 12 years of this. My kids have attended previous editions and they still talk about the films. It opens up their world.

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