Jitendra Mishra: SIFFCY is not just a seven-day festival - it is a year-round movement

Cinema, when it chooses empathy over indifference, can become a powerful instrument of social change. That belief resonated strongly at the inauguration of the 12th Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY), where voices from India and Europe came together to underline a shared commitment to inclusion, diversity, and accessibility.Inclusion is not a matter of charity or compassionInclusion is not a matter of charity or compassion; it is a matter of rights said the participants at the recently concluded festival. The festival’s vision of inclusion found a natural ally in Europe, with the Delegation of the European Union to India partnering SIFFCY 2026. Europe’s long-standing engagement with rights-based frameworks for disability inclusion, accessibility in public culture, and inclusive storytelling was reflected in the strong presence of European films and filmmakers at the festival."SIFFCY is not just a seven-day festival - it is a year-round movement,” said Jitendra Mishra. “With thousands of young participants, children from 15 countries, over 50 industry leaders, and strong European collaboration, our aim is to take inclusive cinema to the next level and ensure that accessibility becomes an integral part of cultural storytelling.”He added,"SIFFCY is more than a seven-day festival—it is a year-round initiative by Smile Foundation that engages, educate and empowers young minds through meaningful visual storytelling and related activities.

This year’s focus on Inclusion, Diversity, and Accessibility featured films on disability and works by children with special abilities from across the world, supported by accessible venues and programmes.

With thousands of young participants, over 50 industry leaders and children from 15 countries participating in both the professional and Young Jury Programmes, 150+ films, and 20+ workshops, masterclasses, and panels during the week-long festival this year, we aim to take SIFFCY to the next level and with the support of our partners and supporters in the coming days."

At SIFFCY 2026, cinema is not merely a screen experience—it is a shared promise between India and Europe that inclusion, like storytelling, must belong to everyone.Santanu Mishra, Chairman of SIFFCY and Co-founder of Smile Foundation, highlighted the role of cinema in shaping young minds. “Childhood is where values are formed. Through SIFFCY, cinema becomes a gentle yet powerful way to nurture empathy, resilience, and respect for difference.

Stories of inclusion do not just entertain—they educate hearts,” he said.Reinforcing SIFFCY’s global and European connections, Festival Director Jitendra Mishra also President of CIFEJ (2025–27)—described the festival as a shared cultural space. “SIFFCY brings together stories from across the world, particularly Europe and India, that reflect the aspirations of young people. These films allow children to engage with diversity not as an abstract idea, but as lived human experience,” he noted.In one of the most poignant moments of the inaugural session, the panels discussed Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility through cinema for young audiences. Organised by Smile Foundation in partnership with DEPwD and the Delegation of the European Union to India, the festival reflects a growing India–EU cultural dialogue rooted in shared democratic values and human rights.

This year’s edition showcases over 150 films from more than 35 countries, including more than 100 films from 20 European Union member states. The festival opened with the Polish–Czech co-production Grandpa, Let’s Go!, and is hosting a delegation of filmmakers and festival directors from Poland with the support of the Polish Institute New Delhi.

The Netherlands is the focus country for SIFFCY 2026, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Netherlands, alongside specially curated selections from Germany, Italy, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Estonia.Conducted in a hybrid format, SIFFCY features screenings, workshops, panel discussions, and masterclasses at PHD House, New Delhi, as well as outreach screenings across more than 100 locations nationwide. A secure, geo-blocked virtual platform ensures access for young audiences across India. Remaining non-profit, non-ticketed, and fully accessible, the festival also presents prestigious honours including the ECFA Award, CIFEJ Award, and the Film Critics Circle of India (FCCI) Award.