The press conference for the 12th Kolkata International Children’s Film Festival was organized in the presence of Indranil Sen, Hon’ble MOS (IC), Tourism and Technical Education, Training & Skill Development Departments, and MOS, Information & Cultural Affairs Department, and other eminent dignitaries.

The film festival will continue from 23 to 29 January. 2026.

180 films from 32 countries will be screened at 8 venues, namely Nandan- I, II, III, Rabindra Sadan, Sisir Mancha, Chalachchitra Satabarsha Bhavan, Rabindra Okakura Bhavan, Rabindra Tirtha. The show timings at all venues are 12 p.m., 3 p.m. & 6 p.m.

The inauguration will take place at Nandan-I at 5 p.m. on 23rd January, 2026.

The guests who will grace the inauguration are Sandip Ray, Eminent Filmmaker, Goutam Ghose, Eminent Filmmaker, Firhad Hakim, Hon’ble Mayor, Aroop Biswas, HMIC Power, Housing & Youth Welfare, Chandrima Bhattacharya, HMOS Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Land & Land Reforms, Refugee & Rehabilitation, Indranil Sen, HMOS I&CA, Santanu Basu, Principal Secretary, I&CA Department, and Arpita Ghosh, Chairperson, Shishu Kishore Akademi.

The festival will be inaugurated by Avinav Barua (the child actor of Nayan Rahasya).

There will be an opening song by Rabispandan. It will be directed by Durba Sinha Roy Chowdhury.

The festival theme is Treasure Hunt.

Sonar Kella, directed by Satyajit Ray, is the inaugural film, while the closing film is Pokkhirajer Dim, by Soukarya Ghoshal.

Special Sections this year:

1) Treasure Hunt and Adventure Films

2) Feluda 60- Celebrating 60 years of Feluda

3) Centenary Tribute – Salil Chowdhury (Marjina Abdulla), Santosh Dutta (Joi Baba Felunath), Tripti Mitra (Manik) at Sisir Mancha on 26th January

4) Bengali Panorama Films- Classics & recent movies.

5) Indian Language Films- Award-winning films and other films.

6) World Cinema- Films from 32 countries.

7) Sports Films- Films that have inspired young minds to embrace the

spirit of unity and brotherhood through sports.

8) Ektara Mukto Mancha- All-time Classics at 6 p.m.

9) Shorts & Documentaries

10) Mobile Films- Films made by children in workshops

organized by Shishu Kishore Akademi.

Exhibition: Guptodhoner Abhijane at Gaganendra Shilpapradarshashala,

daily, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Quiz on Children’s Films- 25th January, 2026 at Ektara Mukta Mancha.

Children are listed as delegates. Each delegate is given a single guardian card. Additionally, delegates receive a stylish delegate kit as a gift. Schools, social welfare homes, and non-governmental organizations are given particular attention. Last year, there were about 1,350 delegates registered.

One hour before the screening time, passes are given out for each venue every day.

With the 12th Kolkata International Children’s Film Festival, your kids will surely have a great time.

Priyanka Dutta